When her son was diagnosed with Autism, L. Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan did what mothers do when their child needs help – everything, and then some more.
She educated herself so she could educate others. She sacrificed professionally to benefit others. She volunteered with a parent support group, facilitated a training series for parents of newly-diagnosed children and worked tirelessly for more than a decade as a board member for the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin.
On May 2, 2014, she will share her experience as a keynote speaker at the 19th Annual Minnesota Autism Conference. Stansberry Brusnahan will discuss meeting Common Core standards and building literacy skills in students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
“It is a great accolade for our professor. We are very proud to have someone of Dr. Stansberry Brusnahan’s caliber as part of our faculty, especially with her knowledge and expertise for our online special education (SPED) program with specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders,” said Jo Montie, program director for St. Thomas’ SPED online program.
Stansberry Brusnahan was recognized in February 2014 for Outstanding Volunteer Service by the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin during the society’s Successful Employment for Individuals with Autism event.
“When her son Colin was diagnosed, Lynn contacted us for information, and then got busy educating her community and looking for ways to help other parents,” Howard Miller, Autism Society President, said when presenting her with the honor. “Lynn went back to school, eventually giving up her job with Delta Airlines and getting a PhD in special education.”
With 40 years of experience preparing professional educators to work with special education (SPED) students, St. Thomas offers its graduate program in Autism Spectrum Disorders with degree, license and a certificate option 100% online. Powered by University Alliance, the professor-led online programs include streaming and downloadable video-based lectures, accessible 24/7 via mobile device or desktop computer.
The 19th Annual Minnesota Autism Conference runs from April 30 to May 3 in Minneapolis, Minn.
About the University of St. Thomas
Founded in 1885, the University of St. Thomas is a Catholic university based in the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The largest private university in Minnesota, St. Thomas offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 90 major fields of study and 60 graduate degree programs, including master’s, education specialist, juris doctor and doctorates.
About University Alliance
University Alliance (UA) is a leader in facilitating the online delivery of associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as professional certificate programs from the nation’s leading traditional universities and institutions. Universities powered by UA’s technology and support services have surpassed 450,000 online enrollments – making UA one of the largest facilitators of e-learning in the country. Universities that collaborate with UA include Villanova University, the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, Florida Institute of Technology, Michigan State University, University of Florida, University of South Florida, Valparaiso University, New England College, University of St. Thomas, University of San Francisco, Jacksonville University, University of Vermont, The University of Scranton, and Dominican University.