Websites and Organizations supporting
the NeuroDivergent Experience
Neuroclastic - A collective of neurodivergents cataloguing the experience, insights, knowledge, talents, and creative pursuits of autistics. They hope to build a repository of information about the lived exploits, inner lives, work, soul, interests, and culture of the neurodiverse spirit. www.neuroclastic.com
Autism Level Up - Focused on collaborating with individuals, families, and educational teams to provide person-specific, developmentally- appropriate, evidenced based educational recommendations and supports to empower autistic individuals to navigate their days. www.autismlevelup.com
Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE) - conducts action research focused on improving the lives of autistic adults. They use a Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach that authentically includes autistic adults in all phases of the research process. www.aaspire.org
Autism in Black - Autism in Black aims to provide support to Black parents who have an autistic child, through educational and advocacy services. Autism in Black is dedicated to bringing awareness to Autism and reducing the stigma in the black community. www.autisminblack.org
The Art of Autism - The Art of Autism empowers autistic people and their families through participation in the arts. www.the-art-of-autism.com
AASCEND - Adults of all ages on the autism spectrum, their families and friends, academics and professionals in the autism field unite as a community in AASCEND. Our members sit down at the table as peers to support one another and work together to achieve AASCEND’S goals of Education, Networking and Development. www.aascend.org
NEUROCOSMOPOLITANISM - Great brief introductions to autism/neurodiversity and excellent blog articles, many links to autistic community resources. A blog site by Dr. Nick Walker. neurocosmopolitanism.com
Therapist Neurodiversity Collective - A free resource for clients, families and caregivers seeking therapy providers who have pledged to uphold our Neurodivergent Affirming values and code of behavior: Respect for human dignity, bodily autonomy, self-determination, empathetic and respectful therapy practices, and the right to say “no.” Directory Blog
PDA North America - PDA is a newly emerging profile that falls under the autism spectrum. Discover what PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance (or a more Neurodivergent Affirming definition: Pervasive Drive for Autonomy) is and how to find support and resources to help individuals with PDA. It presents as an extreme avoidance of everyday activities, it’s due to heightened anxiety. www.pdanorthamerica.com
PDA Society - provides in-depth information, support and training about PDA for individuals, families and professionals. They aim to increase acceptance and understanding of a PDA profile and to improve outcomes for individuals and families by focusing everyone involved on ‘what helps’. www.pdasociety.org.uk
LGBTQIA++/NEUROQUEER Family RESOURCES
It Gets Better Project: The It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe.www.itgetsbetter.org
TransFamily Alliance: An educational space, support community and resource hub for parents raising and supporting transgender, nonbinary and gender expansive offspring. Their mission is to provide accurate resources and the necessary support parents need while raising healthy, well-adjusted, and happy transgender & gender-expansive kids. www.transfamilyalliance.com
Gender Spectrum - If you are a parent looking for support, a young person looking to connect, a professional interested in learning best-practices, a faith leader seeking resources, or anyone who wants the most up-to-date and accurate information about gender and youth, Gender Spectrum can help. www.genderspectrum.org
NeuroDivergent COACHING/EDUCATION RESOURCES
BEAM LiFE Coaching - Eva’s journey in Self-Awareness and integral Healing started in 1990 and she has now been in the field of personal development and coaching for 29+ years. Learn to “STOP, DROP and CHECK” with Eva and explore the BEAM LiFE coaching method. www.evaangvert.com
NeuroGuides - NeuroGuides’ coaches engage, equip, and encourage autistic adults in transformational life journeys. It is our vision to positively influence the way society sees autism and autistic persons in order to create a stronger culture where neurodiversity is celebrated in the workplace and beyond. www.neuroguides.org
Seth Perler - renegade teacher turned Executive Function Coach & 2e Coach based in Boulder, CO. who helps struggling students navigate a crazy educational landscape and contributes to “disrupt” and improve education. Specializing in Executive Function, ADHD and 2E Learners. www.sethperler.com
Ourtism - Ourtism’s mission is to listen, empower, and validate Asperger Profile adults and their families in a safe community where skills and tools are shared to build purpose-ful, meaningful, and harmonious lives. Make connections with Chloe Estelle’s weekly Facebook Chats and learn about services for individuals with autism designed or implemented by someone with autism. www.ourtism.com
Asperger Experts - run by a small team of people diagnosed with Aspergers & other mental health disorders, and led by Danny Raede, who was diagnosed with Asperger's at age 12. Danny and his team offer approaches that worked for them and so many others. www.aspergerexperts.com
My Best Social Life - is a group that teaches their clients cutting-edge social techniques that really work for people whose brains are wired differently. They provide world-class support to help you every step of the way with who to meet, where to meet them and how to win them over without feeling overwhelmed. www.mybestsociallife.com
Actually Autistic Topical Resources
Autistic Burnout: Antidotes to Autistic Burnout - A quick read by Kate McNulty, LCSW an actually autistic therapist, on the experience of autistic burnout and some suggestions to combat and support the challenges. Read about autistic burnout here.
Understanding Autism Through the Actually Autistic Lens - This unique event was put on by the TRIO training academy at Penn State and was specifically designed, developed, and facilitated by autistic speakers. You will have the opportunity to hear from experts and advocates through the lens of #actuallyautistic adults. Topics include parenting, masking, empathy, independence, representation and more. Access the conference recordings here.
Reading Resources
For some of my favorite books that bring about awareness and perspective on this journey see my Amazon Reading List here: ExP Therapy - Suggested Reading List
Video Resources
Asperger Experts on the “Sensory Funnel”. Danny Reade
An experience of the Top 10 Symptoms of Autism by Dan of The Aspie World - Top 10 Symptoms
Dan explaining the same Top 10 Symptoms 5 years later - Check out the difference in Dan as he found his voice - Top 10 Symptoms Redux
Autism in Girls: You Don’t Look Autistic - Charl Davies
Do All Autistic People Think the Same? Video
How to Gain Buy In and Ownership - Seth Perler
Advice to Parents of Autistic Children - Nick Walker Interview
Executive functioning explained by an autistic person - Kim C.
NeuroQueer Understanding - At the Crossroads: Neurodivergence and Gender - Finn Gratton
Trauma and the Nervous System: a Polyvagal Perspective - a polyvagal view of how trauma and chronic stress affect our nervous system - PV Institute
Neurodiversity and Culture Affirming Resources on Black, Indigenous
and People of Color and Autism/Neurodiversity
Autism in Black Podcast - Marie Davis-Pierre
The Color of Autism Foundation - website
HollyRod Foundation - website
Neurodivergencia Latina: Blog Manuel Diaz
Aprender A Quereme - Blog by Monica Vidal
Early Parenting Resources
Mendability - Home based occupational therapy delivered through a NeuroDivergent Affirming lens. Access their program here.
Parents Helping Parents - supports, educates, and inspires families and the community to build bright futures for youth and adults with special needs. Access their website here.
Educational Resources
Polyvagal Institute - provides training, support and facilitates research around the body and mind, as presented in the work of Stephen Porges and Polyvagal Theory. Access their website here.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) - IFS is a movement. A new, empowering paradigm for understanding and harmonizing the mind and, thereby, larger human systems. Overview video here.
Interoception and sensory processing issues: What you need to know. Click here to learn more.
Interoception and Occupational Therapy Education: Kelly Mahler - Occupational Therapist, Educator, Research Enthusiast, Trying-My-Best Mom and Interoception Groupie. Kelly teaches professionals, caregivers, and self-helpers how to use evidence-based supports that facilitate discovery and validation of each person’s unique interoception experience, which in turn empowers people with self-understanding, self-regulation, health, well-being, and social connection. Click here to learn more.
Agencies and Organizations that Serve the Needs of the
Autistic Community that We Can Navigate Together
Regional Centers of California - find the regional center that serves your local area
California Department of Rehabilitation - Explore their Services for individuals 16 and older providing tools to acquire and maintain gainful employment. Includes education, training and supports in the job environment.
Local School Districts - required to provide testing and appropriate accommodations for Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students up to age 22 or high school graduation.
There are many adjunct agencies that provide specific services that we can discuss as our work progresses and needs are clearly understood.