AUTHOR

Sharon Kaye-O’Connor LCSW

Licensing & Certifications:

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, New York State
Ordained Spiritualist Minister

Professional Background

Sharon Kaye-O’Connor, LCSW, is an autistic psychotherapist, autism educator, consultant, and writer in New York City. She provides neurodiversity-affirming psychotherapy and coaching for adults, as well as training and consultation for schools, clinicians, and families.

Sharon is a licensed clinical social worker in New York State and holds an MSW from Hunter College School of Social Work/CUNY. She is co-author of Academic and Student Affairs in Collaboration: Creating a Culture of Student Success (Routledge, 2016). Sharon has contributed expertise to articles by Salon, Newsweek, PopSugar, Fatherly, PsychCentral, VeryWellMind, and Autism Parenting Magazine.

Professional Associations

Member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Education:

Master of Social Work, Hunter College School of Social Work/CUNY

Areas of Focus

Working with autistic and neurodivergent populations through a sensory-informed and pro-neurodiversity lens.
Helping educators, clinical professionals, and families gain greater understanding of autism and the autistic experience.
Holistic and psychospiritual therapy for anxiety, stress, and life transitions.
Incorporating spirituality into helping clients manage grief and loss.

Autistic Burnout: What It Is, Symptoms, & Recovery

Autistic burnout is a state of stress and exhaustion due to the demands of life and coping with them as an autistic individual. When experiencing autistic burnout, a person may struggle to function at work, school, or home and have greater sensitivity to sensory stimuli. Reducing stress, adequate rest, and setting preventative boundaries can help individuals cope with autistic burnout symptoms.

January 1, 2021

Neurodivergent: Definition, Types, Support & More

The idea of neurodiversity suggests that all brains are simply different, and that having a variety of neurotypes benefits humanity as a whole.

January 1, 2021

Echolalia What It Is, Symptoms, and Types

What Is Echolalia? Definition, Causes, & Treatment

Echolalia is the repetition of words, phrases, or sounds, and is a trait commonly found among the autistic population. Whether the sounds are repeated immediately after hearing them, or at another time in the future, echolalia can serve several purposes–such as communication, processing and integrating new information, or as a stimming behavior (self-stimulatory behavior).

January 1, 2021

Pathological Demand Avoidance: Characteristics & Treatments

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is a profile within the autism spectrum characterized by the avoidance of demands and expectations of others, or even of oneself.

January 1, 2021