Spectrum Super Star August 2015

Chances are you’ve heard your kids talk about “Ms. Mary” after returning from a Spectrum camp session. Many of you parents also know Mary O’Connell as she is the face of Spectrum camp! Mary has been instrumental in developing and implementing Spectrum's Camps and Clubs program. She has been involved with Spectrum from its beginning and has contributed in more ways than we can even count!

Mary is the director of Social Skills Today. Social Skills Today (SST) manages Spectrum Camps and Social Skills groups and clubs. She is also a key instructor for the Spectrum Kommunity Inclusion Program (SKIP), our program which provides free autism training to community organizations wanting to include children and adults with Autism.

Mary is also the director of New Directions Georgia, a day program she founded for adults with moderate or severe Autism based in Suwanee, GA.

Mary worked in the Gwinnett County Public Schools for over seventeen years teaching children with Autism, before retiring in May 2012. She has experience working with children affected by all levels of Autism. She holds a Master’s Degree from Georgia State and is a Highly Qualified Certified teacher in the state of Georgia. Her expertise in the field of Autism has made a difference in the quality and content of our social skills and camp programs which serve close to 1000 individuals with autism per year.

Mary says she looks at each day as a chance to change the lives of persons affected by Autism. She has surely changed many lives of Spectrum families and their children. Thank you, Mary, for making a difference in our community!