Prior to pursuing a career in education, I enjoyed a successful career as an author, coauthor, and award-winning editor in a range of genres. I had cowritten twenty-three books, among them four national bestsellers. My writing on popular culture has also appeared in Rolling Stone and The New York Times Book Review. In 1987, I founded PAR Bookworks, Ltd., through which I provide these services to major trade publishers.
After my son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, Tourette Syndrome, and dyslexia in 1997, my interest led me to: help revive my district’s Special Education PTA (of which I was president for two years); serve on my district’s Committee for Preschool Special Education as a parent member; cofound, create programs, and obtain grants for a local autism-related nonprofit; cowrite (with OASIS website founder Barbara Kirby) The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome; present locally and nationally on Asperger Syndrome, both at conferences and school district in-services. Among organizations I have presented for are TECA (Twice Exceptional Children’s Advocates), The David Center, CHADD of Suffolk County, Future Horizons’ Asperger/Autism Superconference (Dallas), The Long Island Autism Fair and Conference, and HASC (Hebrew Academy for Special Children).
My experience with my son rekindled an early interest in teaching. After submitting the OASIS Guide manuscript to our publisher, I entered the CASE (Competencies in Autism for Special Educators) Program at C. W. Post College/Long Island University with the intention of teaching children with autism spectrum disorders. I completed my student teaching at Ascent: A School for Individuals with Autism, in Deer Park, NY, and worked as an instructor there from April 2003 through June 2004, when I accepted the executive directorship of a local autism-related nonprofit. In September 2003, I received New York State certification to teach special education, grades K through 12 (provisional). Since March 2004, I have been a New York State Early Intervention Provider. I have completed the coursework in applied behavior analysis at Stony Brook University (State University of New York) required for consideration to sit for the examination for certification in applied behavior analysis. I am a member of the Council for Exceptional Children and the New York State Association of Behavior Analysis (NYSABA). In November 2007, I received NYSABA's award for Effective Portrayal of ABA in the Mass Media.