An educator at heart, Karen spent 20 years in the classroom as a teacher and consultant for special education students in Louisiana. Her long experience in the public schools allowed Karen to develop innovative classroom systems, home-learning techniques, and community skills to benefit students with autism.

Karen’s publications have attracted much attention from the education and autism communities. In 1993, she was named “Teacher of the Year” at the International Conference of the National Autism Society of America. Her book “Breakthroughs - How to Reach Students with Autism” is a hands-on, how-to manual that has benefited teachers and parents worldwide. The accompanying video to “Breakthroughs” won the Silver Apple Award from the National Education Media Network and the Chris Award at the Columbus International Film & Video Festival.

Karen’s educational experience includes a Master of Education degree in Learning Disabilities and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary and Special Education from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She also completed extensive coursework in Christian Education and Biblical Studies at Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, Alabama.

Today, Karen lives in Birmingham, Alabama with a precocious Yorkshire Terrier. She is the mother of three grown children and the grandmother of four.