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Fran Swanson, Realtor®
My
Philosophy
I believe that a good Realtor®
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Listens well and quickly understands a client’s needs and desires;
- Hits the ground running,
prepared
with efficient systems, strategies and a wealth of background knowledge;
- Proceeds to fulfill the clients’ needs
and desires with determination, grace, a genuine smile and above all, energetic efficiency.
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 Keeping abreast of new developments in
areas that impact the real estate business,
(including economics, product knowledge,
marketing and technology) also sets the
top-notch Realtor®
apart from the competition.
In short, it is the Realtor®
who strives for perfection in the above areas who
will do the best job for her buyers and sellers. For more tips on buying and
selling, please see “For Buyers” and “For
Sellers.”
My
Background
The following, very brief outline of my background
and some of the experiences that have shaped
my personality and strengthened my work ethic.
- A native of
Connecticut and graduate of Smith College,
Northampton, MA, I majored in political science and
studied French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
and Arabic;
- Completed
post-graduate studies in Geneva, Switzerland, then
worked in Geneva for an oil trading company in
international operations for 10 years;
- Returned to the
U.S. and spent the next decade raising two children,
volunteering in school and the community and
advocating for children with special needs (our
younger son developed autism and through our
perseverance, has made great progress, surpassing
his teachers' expectations...but not ours!)
- Moved to Fort
Myers in 1998 from New Hampshire;
- Decided to pursue
a career in real estate (once our son was more able
to stand on his own two feet)
- Scored highest in
my pre-license class and was invited to join Re/Max
Realty Group in 2003
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Our son, Kerry, at three years of age. He is
now a teen and doing great! |
What is Autism?
Autism is a
complex brain disorder that often inhibits a
person's ability to communicate, respond to
surroundings, and form relationships with
others. First identified more than 50 years
ago, autism is typically diagnosed by the
age of two or three. Autism affects people
of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic
backgrounds.
Few disorders are as
devastating to a child and his or her
family. While some people with autism are
mildly affected, most people with the
condition will require lifelong supervision
and care and have significant language
impairments. Many children with autism will
never be able to tell their parents they
love them.
Studies by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control & Prevention suggest
that the prevalence of autism spectrum
disorders has significantly increased, from
approximately four in 10,000 in the early
1990s to as many as one in every 166 births
today. Despite strikingly high prevalence,
autism research remains one of the lowest
funded areas of medical research by both
public and private sources. Currently, the
causes of autism are unknown and there are
no specific medical treatments or cure.
Physicians have no blood test or diagnostic
scan that can definitively diagnose the
disorder. As such, the diagnosis of autism
is based solely upon observations of
behavior. Despite increasing national
interest and high prevalence, autism
research is one of the lowest funded areas
of medical research by both public and
private sources.
Basic Definition
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
encompass a group of neuropsychiatric
disorders characterized by deficits in
social interaction and communication, and
unusual and repetitive behavior. Some, but
not all, people with autism are non-verbal.
The degree of autism varies from mild to
severe in different individuals. Severely
afflicted patients can appear profoundly
retarded. The cause (or causes) of autism
are not yet understood. However, it is
widely believed within the scientific
community that there is a strong genetic
component or pre-disposition to autism
spectrum disorders. Researchers have
proposed that the immunological, metabolic,
and environmental factors may also play a
part in the etiology of autism. Autism is
not caused, however, by emotional trauma, as
was once theorized. Autism or autistic-like
behavior may co-occur with many other
neurological conditions.
To learn more about the National
Alliance for Autism Research, visit
www.naar.org |
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