Dena Gassner, M.A.
http://asdac.us/content/view/14/29/1/5/Dena Gassner holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Kentucky. She studied disability issues with the Department of Mental Health, First Steps and Children's Hospital of Cincinnati. She was thrust into the disability community when her son, Patrick was diagnosed with autism. Through her research on his behalf, she discovered her own autism. She now works as a consultant/professional development trainer for school districts and families, and is a regular contributor to the M.A.A.P. newsletter. She presents nationally on her research and life experiences (Exceptional Children's Conference, ASA, MAAP and others). She is presently producing a book called, Looking for Common Ground; a Journey to Autistic Wholeness which chronicles her life as the daughter of, mother of and person with autism. Topics on which she presents includes autism and female sexuality, overlapping issues of autism and ADHD, spirituality and inclusion, high functioning autism 101, Irlen technology for visual perceptual problems and many others. She is the Task Force Chairperson for Special Needs Ministries for the Kentucky Annual Conference, and serves as Board Member to SEMAR, the Southeast Jurisdictional Committee on Rehabilitation, for the United Methodist Church.
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/06/20/loc_kydena20.html