USF’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities Presents 2007 Autism Community Leadership Award

An award recognizing the efforts of family members who contribute to the autism community through educating others and assisting with building a more welcoming community has been presented to Sharon Boyd from Port Charlotte, FL. Boyd was selected for the 2007 Autism Community Leadership Award, sponsored by the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of South Florida (CARD-USF), for her work on the Autismspeaks Walk, as well as her efforts helping families and her community. She is a nurse and has 5 children, one of whom has autism.

“ This is an incredible honor,” said Sharon, “Without my amazing husband, Mark, and our wonderful children Elizabeth (read her essay), Aubry, Alyssa, Austin, and Adam, I would not be able to do the work I do in the Autism community. They have always accepted my time away and my reasons for leaving without question. Since Austin's diagnosis, we as a family have made it our mission to face this devastating disorder head-on.”

“ She was chosen from an impressive group of nominees from the 14 counties served by CARD-USF,” said Karen Berkman, CARD-USF director. “She was selected by a panel of judges who looked at several factors when ranking the nominees.” The factors included:

• Exemplifies leadership
• Demonstrates a positive impact on the community
• Enhances the lives of individuals with autism through time and talents, develops a sustaining change in the community
• Impacts a number of people in the community
• Assists people to become educated about autism
• Serves as a role model for others to make a difference in the community

“ My mother taught me that you cannot complain about a problem if you are not willing to be a part of the solution,” added Sharon. “That is all I am doing. I appreciate the honor and pledge to continue to fight this epidemic while also trying to make life better for families like mine, struggling to get the services that they need to care for their children and help them to achieve. I definitely will keep my sense of humor about me, as my theory is that you can laugh or you can cry, I choose to LAUGH!”

The celebration, organized by Anne Allen, Christine Rover and Leigh Anna Nowak, was held on Sat. April 14 at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County in Port Charlotte with 50 guests honoring Sharon and her contributions to the community. Karen Berkman presented the honoree with a plaque, flowers, a certificate for her family to be the “Grand Marshalls for the Day” at the Charlotte County Motor Speed Park and a certificate to attend the 2008 CARD Conference in Orlando.

CARD serves children and adults of all levels of intellectual functioning who have autism spectrum disorder (including autism, Asperger's disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett's disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified); an autistic-like disability (documented on an evaluation that describes the characteristics that are being considered "autistic-like" by the evaluator); a dual sensory impairment; or a sensory impairment with other disabilities. Visit the CARD-USF website to learn more.

CARD is within the Department of Child and Family Studies (CFS), a department of the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida. The faculty and staff of CFS are committed to enhancing the development, mental health and well-being of children and families through leadership in integrating research, theory & practice.