Donna Swanson is Executive Director and co-founder of
FOCUS Alternative Learning Center in Canton, CT. With over thirty years’
nursing experience, she specializes in the assessment and treatment of
individuals on the Autism Spectrum and related developmental disabilities.
Ms. Swanson earned an RN from Hartford Hospital School of Nursing, a BS in
Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University, and a Master’s
degree in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing from St. Joseph College. In
addition, she received an APRN certification from Hartford Hospital. She
is a member of the American Nurses’ Association and is certified by that
organization as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Child and Adolescent
Psychiatric Nursing. She is also a member of the Connecticut Autism Action
Coalition (CAAC). As Executive Director of FOCUS,
Ms. Swanson oversees the Extended Day Treatment Program
and two state-funded group homes for individuals who are both on the
Autism Spectrum and have trauma; one home is for boys ages 14-21 and the
other for young adults ages 18-25. She also leads the FOCUS Spectrum
Unplugged Panel, which addresses the personal perspective of life on the
Spectrum.
