Tribute to Susan Hawkins, Autism Resource Specialist and Former Director of Project ACCESS

Project ACCESS would like to pay tribute to one of the “godmothers” of Missouri autism education: Susan Hawkins. We regret to report that on November 21, 2025, Susan unexpectedly passed away.

In the mid 1980’s, there were not a great deal of individuals who knew very much about how to instruct students experiencing autism in public schools. In response to the demands of parents in Southwest Missouri, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Division of Special Education established Project ACCESS at Missouri State University in 1985. Susan was one of the first of two individuals employed by Project ACCESS. She was truly an amazing woman.

Susan had what some people would call a photographic memory. She was a voracious reader and part of her Project ACCESS responsibilities included building a lending library about autism. She was responsible for locating effective practices and best materials regarding how to work with students experiencing autism. Not only did she locate, order, and organize those materials – she READ them ALL! If anyone asked her a question about some aspect of autism, not only could she answer it, but she could also tell you where to find the research-based book, article, or journal to provide more information.

Susan had a charismatic personality and was a highly sought-after presenter. She helped to develop numerous workshops on how to work with students experiencing autism and traveled throughout the state to present them. She became a mentor to many both young and not so young educators.

There are numerous words that could be used to describe Susan: smart, loyal, creative, compassionate, resourceful, modest, organized, playful, ecologically conscious, and outspoken. She was refreshingly honest, and you knew where Susan stood on almost any topic.

To have known Susan was a gift. The education of students with autism is far better because she lived and worked among us. The lives of all who knew and collaborated with her are richer and forever changed by her presence.

Please visit Susan's obituary if you would like to leave a leave a note or memory.