Sharon has made her home in the Mid-West, USA for the past 15 years. She works for a publishing company and goes to Business College full time. Her dedication to advocate for victims of violence has led her to an additional interest in Women's Studies.

Sharon was one of the March 2011 recipients of the Learning Spring School LSS Spectrum Award.  The other 2011 recipients were Dr. Fred Volkmar of Yale University Autism Research; Charlie Rose of PBS Television (series on the brain, episode featuring autism spectrum diagnosis); and Mrs. Janice Murray, the mother featured in Showtime Television's autism documentary, "Dad's in Heaven with Nixon."

In April of 2010 Sharon was honored to receive an invitation to attend a special autism meeting at the White House on World Autism Awareness Day.  On July 26, 2010 Sharon received an invitation to return to Washington D.C. to represent the Autism Women's Network at the White House celebration commemorating the 20th year anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Sharon has participated in autism focus groups comprised of individuals on the autism spectrum who develop ways to improve autism-related services. She is an active consultant for numerous research projects whereby she assists with furthering the understanding of challenges faced by autistic adults with employment related issues.

Sharon's extensive training and continued education as a Family Support Worker with  VISINET, Inc. enabled her to assist families and their children with successful completion of court ordered goals throughout the foster care process for almost five years.

Sharon testified before the Nebraska Legislative Committee to advocate for the passage of a Bill to aid women with the inclusion of their children in Protection Orders.  This Bill was enacted into law and Protection Orders can now be extended to minor children of mothers in abusive relationships in the state of Nebraska. 

In an effort to further awareness pertaining to ASD's, Sharon produces and hosts the  AWN Internet Radio Show.  As an active member of the autism community, she shares with others her experiences as it relates to the unique qualities of females on the autism spectrum via conferences, support groups, and workshops. 

In her spare time, she enjoys research, writing, and spending quality time with her family.  She is a mother of two teenagers, as well as two adults with families of their own.  Sharon is diagnosed with Asperger's and is parenting a child on the autism spectrum as well.

Sharon's Public Speaking Engagements

• Sharon was a guest speaker at the Annual Fundraiser for the League of Women Voters in Sarpy County, Nebraska.  This was the Women As Storytellers Annual Luncheon where women share their personal accounts, experiences and stories of overcoming adversities.

• Sharon was a Co-Speaker with Dr. Diane C. Marti at the annual  Nebraska UNL ASD Network  Autism State Conference in Omaha, Nebraska.  Sharon's presentation focused on the unique qualities, strengths, and challenges of females with Asperger's Syndrome and the importance of early identification in order to provide the supports necessary to ensure autistic girls and women a healthy and productive future. 

• Sharon was a guest speaker at the Team Meeting for Educators with the ASD ESU Team #3, Omaha, Nebraska Metro Region.  Her presentation addressed concerns of girls on the autism spectrum flying under the radar and not receiving a diagnosis until well into adulthood. Sharon's presentation further stressed the need for educators to be proactive as it relates to early intervention and the ongoing need for diagnosing girls with ASD before they develop social & functional challenges which could be supported with early intervention.

• Sharon was a Co-Presenter at the Annual Autism Action Partnership Conference with Dr. Diane C. Marti.  The information provided in this presentation focused on early identification of what is unique to females with Asperger’s Syndrome as essential in order to provide supports necessary to ensure her a healthy and productive future.  Clinical data compiled by recognized experts indicate a need for increased understanding of the differences between males and females on the spectrum.  Sharon also shared her personal experiences of learning to understand how her own Asperger diagnosis differed from her expectations of behaviors typically found with males on the spectrum.

• Sharon was a guest speaker at the Fremont, Nebraska ESU ASD Educator's Team Meeting.  Her presentation stressed the need for early identification, and a greater understanding of female specific autism characteristics in order to prevent girls from flying under the diagnostic radar and not receiving a diagnosis until well into adulthood. Sharon's presentation further stressed the need for educators to take a proactive approach in leading the way as it relates to early intervention and diagnosis.