NJSBA Family Law Section

 View Only
Cosmo Lex
Back to discussions
Expand all | Collapse all

Autism and Family Court – The 2025 Update | Dec. 3

  • 1.  Autism and Family Court – The 2025 Update | Dec. 3

    Posted 28 days ago

    Presented in partnership with the NJSBA Family Law Section and the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, this annual program brings together legal, psychological, and educational experts to help you better serve families with children on the spectrum. Click here to register!

    Autism and Family Court – The 2025 Update

    Date: Dec 3, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

    Location: Online

    Member Price: $177.00

    Non-Member Price: $209.00

    Section Price: $154.00

    Event Code: I052925

    Areas of Law: Family

    Earn up to 4.5 credits! (More Information)

    LOG IN TO PURCHASE
    SEARCH ALL PROGRAMS
    Faculty

    Moderator

    Hon. Lawrence R. Jones, JSC (Ret.)
    Adjunct Professor, University of New Mexico
    Lawrence R. Jones NM LLC

    Presenters

    Bianca Coleman, PhD, NCSP, BCBA-D
    Behavior Therapy Associates, Somerset
    Carmen M. Diaz, Esq.
    Certified By the Supreme Court of New Jersey As a Matrimonial Attorney
    Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost, Botwinick, Nunn & Musmanno, P.C.
    Joni Jones, RN, PMH-BC
    Autism Educator/Advocate, Mediator, Children With Special Needs
    Francesca O'Cathain, Esq.
    Certified By the Supreme Court of New Jersey As a Matrimonial Attorney
    O'Cathain Law Group
    S. Paul Prior, Esq.
    Special Education and Needs Attorneys
    Hinkle Prior & Fischer PC, Lawrence Township

    Presented in cooperation with the NJSBA Family Law Section and the New Jersey State Bar Foundation

    Make your plans today to attend this annual program to learn everything you need to know when handling divorces involving children with autism. You’ll pick up relevant information that makes a real difference in the lives of your clients as you work through these complex and often overlooked considerations together.

    The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that one in 36 children nationwide are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. New Jersey has one of the highest rates of autism in the nation: one in 35 children, or 2.9% of 8-year-old children. With autism rates rising, it is a safe prediction that almost every family law attorney will soon handle at least one case involving a child with autism or other similar developmental disability.

    Accordingly, it is important for matrimonial practitioners, judges, mediators, mental health professionals and many parents to familiarize themselves with special issues which arise when parents have a child with autism spectrum disorder. The importance is heightened when children with autism find themselves in the middle of divorce proceedings. 

    Do you have effective strategies to help make children with autism comfortable when interacting with them in already stressful matrimonial law matters? Do you understand the unique considerations required to support children with autism when their parents separate?

    Gain deeper insight at this seminar. 

    Program Agenda:

    • 9:00 | Opening comments

    • 9:05 | Overview of family court and autism spectrum disorder  

    • 9:15 | A psychologist's view - Bianca Coleman, PhD, NCSP, BCBA-D

    • 9:50 | Custody and parenting time - Carmen M. Diaz, Esq.

    • 10:30 | Break

    • 10:40 | Child support/alimony/equitable distribution - Francesca O’Cathain, Esq.

    • 11:20 | Education issues and transition to adulthood - S. Paul Prior, Esq.

    • 12:05 | Roundtable and Q&A on autism diversity and inclusion issues

    • 12:55 | Conclusion and closing remarks

    • 1:00 | Adjourn

    CLE Credits
    NJ CLE: NJ CLE information: This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 4.5 hours of total CLE credit (Full Credits Available: NJ General: 4.5).
    NY CLE: NY Professional Practice Non-Transitional: 4.5
    PA CLE: PA Substantive Credit: 3.5
    New: No PACLE fee is required for this program. To earn PA CLE credits, a valid PA Bar ID number must be entered into the CLE form provided after attending the program.

    Important Information About Our Events, Meetings, and More:
    To secure your spot and receive important updates about our events, meetings, and other gatherings, such as schedule changes, remember to register in advance.

    Digital Materials & Environmental Commitment: As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, unless otherwise noted, all seminar materials are provided as digital downloads. You can access these materials through:

    • The “My Links” section at the top of our website for in-person or online events
    • Or, for online programs, the event access link included in your joining instructions

    Cancellation and Refund Policy:
    If you need to cancel your registration and are not transferring to another program or date, please submit a written request to us at least three business days before the event, meeting, or gathering. You will receive a refund minus a $20.00 cancellation fee. No refunds or registration changes will be issued within three business days of the event, meeting, or gathering.

    Professional Conduct:
    All attendees and participants are expected to conduct themselves professionally and treat others with respect at NJSBA events, meetings, and gatherings. This includes courteous communication, respecting perspectives, and creating a welcoming environment for all. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in removal from the event.

    Stay Informed:
    Registered participants will be notified of any schedule changes. For updates regarding inclement weather, please check your email or visit NJSBA.com.

    Media Consent:
    By participating in our events, meetings, or other gatherings, you agree to be photographed and/or recorded. Additionally, all media content captured during these gatherings will become the property of NJSBA. This content, including your image and name, may be used in our future promotional materials without additional consent or compensation.

    Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy:
    Read our Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy and submit an Application here: https://njsba.com/njicle/cle-programs/scholarship/



    -------------------------------------------


    ------------------------------
    Justin Gumpel
    Membership Marketing &
    Engagement Specialist
    New Jersey State Bar Association
    ------------------------------