Sara has advocated for many families dealing with autism spectrum disorders at IEP meetings and is known for helping families and schools work together peacefully to create workable plans that don't necessarily require funding to implement.
Sara is actively involved in the community, and facilitates a family autism support group in King County. She has also served on the board of directors of ADD Resources, a Tacoma, Washington nonprofit organization that also supports a national online community. She works at Bellevue College as program advisor for their Autism Spectrum Navigators program, which she developed.
Sara received ABA certification from the California State University at Fullerton Autism Evidence Based Institute. She has earned professional certification from Think:Kids, a program in the Department of Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital, which is directed by Dr. Stuart Ablon, co-author of the book, "Treating Explosive Kids: A Collaborative Problem Solving Approach."
Sara has presented her workshop on "Helping Behaviorally Challenging Children" for parents and educators at various venues, including school in-services, groups, conferences, the CSUF 4th Annual General Ed/Special Ed Conference in April 2009 and the 9th & 10th Annual ADD Resources Fall Conferences in 2010 and 2011.
Her life experience combined with education, community involvement and daily contact with struggling families and students gives her a unique perspective and insight into the challenges faced by the Autism community. Sara's mission is to help other parents travel an easier road than she did and to help those on the autism spectrum lead full and happy lives.
To read more, visit Sara's blog, Not Otherwise Specified: Life on the Autism Spectrum.
Sara Gardner's son was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome in 2002 and Autism quickly became her “area of interest." She began intensive studying, and volunteering with the Orange County Asperger Support Group, where she served as President for two years. She and her son moved to Redmond, Washington in Fall 2009 so that he could attend college.
In addition to her years serving as President of the OC Asperger Support Group, her experience includes Assistant Director for the OC division of the Asperger Society, Community Outreach Liaison for the Grandparent Autism Network and Director of Volunteer Services for the Family Autism Network. Sara currently works at a Seattle-area college, as Program Advisor for their Asperger/Autism student support program, which she designed and developed.
She has taught her "Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child" courses to parents and educators of children with a wide range of learning differences, including autism, ADHD and Aspergers for many venues, including United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County,the City of Irvine Disabilities Services, Lake Washington School District PTSA, the Children's Therapy Center and the ARC of King County.
