Special Needs Advocacy Network, Inc. (SPaN)
Nominee Biographies

Mary W.  SheridanI am a graduate of College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts and earned my Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, Illinois.  After graduating from law school, I did a clerkship for the Probate and Family Court in Massachusetts.   Two months after my clerkship was over, I gave birth my first child.  I was able to combine staying at home with my three children, one of whom was later diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, with working part-time at a small Boston law firm that specializes in family law, criminal defense and appeals.   After completing the Federation for Children with Special Needs Training and Parent Consultant Internship, I decided to open my own firm to assist students who are struggling at school and their parents.   I am licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and am a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association.  I am also a member of AANE (Asperger's Association of New England (AANE), and COPAA (Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys.

  
Cynthia MooreI finalized my commitment to follow my heart by completing the parent consultant training program offered by the Federation for Children with Special Needs. This was in addition to the vast array of education and training I had previously undertaken on topics such as: Autism, Anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder, Apraxia, Executive Functioning Deficits, Central Auditory Processing Deficit, Dyslexia, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, Speech/Language Development, Parasomnias (night terrors), etc.  I have been honored to learn from the best - Elsa Abele, Tony Atwood, Carol Gray, Sara Ward, etc. and organizations such as NECC, LADDERS, AANE, ASA, ESPP. Thereafter, I expanded my network of resources by joining the Special Needs Advocacy Network, Inc. (spanmass.org) and the Council of Parents Attorneys and Advocates (Coppa.org). I have continued to give back to the community by hosting workshops on the special education and teamwork related topics.    Cynthia is also a trainer for the federation and have been a national speaker on single parenting children with autism.  Click here for a full bio:  http://www.yourchildtheirfuture.com/AboutCynthia.html 

 Janet ThibeauSince 2006, Ms. Thibeau has worked as an advocate.  Her work has ranged from attending team meetings to helping clients receive public funding for residential placements.  Ms. Thibeau also provides training services to parents and school districts, both through FCSN and her own workshops.  Prior to raising her 5 children (all of whom are on IEPs) she worked for 15 years as a business process consultant, helping companies like Hewlett-Packard and Dow Chemical articulate and execute their goals.  In addition to her work and role as mom, she is currently President of the Board of Directors for a seasonal recreational center and is actively involved in creating a sibling support group in Massachusetts.

Lisa Marie Noke-Kearney 

Able to handle challenges, with proven history of increased productivity and lead others in high-demand situations.  Strong communication, motivation, team building, liaison, and leadership skills. Self-motivated, hard-working individual. Skilled at evaluating options and generating solutions.  Able to coordinate several tasks simultaneously and integrate all business functions.  Excellent mediator, arbitrator and facilitator.
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Human Rights Advocacy Training - 2010
Wraparound Training ( Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative) -2010
Special Needs Advocacy Network Member - 2010
Commonwealth of Massachusetts –-Citizens Legislative Training –2009
Federation for Children with Special Needs Advocacy Training – 2008
Massachusetts Advocates for Children ( Autism Div Fundraising) – 2008, 2009
Autism Higher Education Foundation, Vice President - 2007- Present
Massachusetts Autism Coalition  Board Member – 2007, 2008
Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts Board Member - 2006 – Present
Autism Speaks Vice President, New England Board - 2005- Present
Certified Spinning Fitness Instructor - 2005
Boston Marathon Runner  - 2003, 2004
Bentley College - Certificate in Human Resources Management - 2000
Waltham High School Private Music Teacher - 1989-2001

Special Needs Advocacy Network, Inc. * P.O. Box 269 * Natick, MA* USA * 01760 Phone: (508) 655-7999
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The Special Needs Advocacy Network, Inc. (SPaN) seeks to ensure that all content and information published at our website is current and accurate. The information does not in any way constitute legal or professional advice and SPaN cannot be held liable for actions arising from its use. In addition, SPaN cannot be held responsible for the contents of any externally linked pages.

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