About MaryAnn
I am the proud mother of two wonderful boys on opposite ends of the Autism Spectrum. For over 20 years, I have devoted my energies to doing all I could for my sons to be successful in school and life, spending countless hours researching and finding therapies, specialists, special schools and programs, biomedical interventions, and advocating for my children, while addressing their daily needs and challenges.
After 21 years of marriage, I unexpectedly found myself as one of the many moms of special needs children, in the throes of divorce. I had to put my hurt and needs aside, so I could focus on my kids and make sure they would be OK during and after the divorce, not only emotionally, but also considering all their needs in the short and long term.
I did everything I could to make sure my kids would get the best outcome possible, given the exorbitant costs of care that special needs children require during their lifetime.
The emotionally and financially taxing two year divorce process culminated in a trial, the outcome of which resulted in an excellent result for my family, which many regard as a benchmark in special needs divorce cases.
Prior to raising my kids…
I earned my BBA and MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. I worked at several Fortune 100 companies, with positions in Sales, Marketing, Training, Project Management, Organizational Development, Quality, Business Process Improvement and Reengineering, earning the respect of my managers and co-workers for my strong work ethic, positive attitude, and dedication to excellence.
In the past few years, in addition to focusing on my divorce and planning for my family’s future, I have worked to gain knowledge and certifications in the following areas:
CDC Certified Divorce Coach® - Premier divorce coaching program, to help clients focus on the business of divorce rather than emotional aspects, make better decisions, avoid pitfalls, and be confident they have a thinking partner throughout the whole process, so they don’t have to struggle alone.
CDC Certified Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach® - to help clients focus on positive ways survive and thrive before, during and after divorce.
CDC Special Needs Divorce Coach™ - participated in and helped develop the first certification program to focus on the special needs aspects of divorce, including Co-Parenting Special Needs Children and Siblings, Amicable & High Conflict Strategies, and Planning for the Present and Future.
Certified Divorce Specialist and member in National Association of Divorce Professionals - to more effectively communicate with and assist divorcing clients through legal, financial, mental health, and real estate aspects of divorce process
Mediator - took both Basic Mediation and Advanced Family Law & Divorce Mediation training
Life Coaching - received certifications as Master Life Coach, Professional Life Coach, Goal Success Life Coach, Happiness Life Coach, and Life Purpose Coach
LoneStar LEND Fellowship - selected to participate in interdisciplinary training program designed to develop leaders in the field of autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disabilities
Disability Leadership & Advocacy training
Special Needs Planning topics, including
- Financial Planning for Special Needs
- ABLE Accounts
- Special Needs Trusts
- Government Benefits: SSI, Medicaid, Waiver Programs & more
- Guardianship and Alternatives
- Transitioning to Adulthood
- Disability Vocational Training
- Advocating for Special Needs Students in School
Post-High School Programs - researched special needs transition programs, colleges, day programs, residential programs, camps, vocational programs, etc., for various functioning levels
High Conflict Divorces, Negotiation Strategies, Effective Communication, and other topics related to understanding and getting the best result in a divorce.
Divorce Recovery and Personal Growth & Development resources for assistance on various aspects of divorce for parents and kids, getting through divorce in a positive fashion, and living your best life after divorce.