I offer neurodiversity training, facilitate mindfulness groups and provide 1:1 coaching to individuals.
1:1 Coaching
I provide narrow-focus, time-limited interventions that are specifically adapted to an individual’s needs.
The emphasis is on skill-development, parent/caregiver training, and environmental modifications so that behavioral changes will be maintained post-treatment. My goal is short-term interventions that result in long lasting change.
At the start of service, clients work with me to choose one or two main behavioral goals, and in the course of a few months, we work toward a target level of progress on that goal. A typical progression of therapy may look like an initial two-hour assessment, followed by home or community visits of one hour a week for eight weeks.
I use the tools of behavior analysis to
- Provide interventions that improve the quality of life of autistic persons, this could include teaching independent living skills, fostering social skill development, or teaching leisure skills
- Provide access to high quality emotional management techniques (including mindfulness and equanimity training) to autistic individuals and their caregivers. This may look like teaching body scans, wellness checklists, practicing daily calming techniques, or finding the right guided meditation app
- Help autistic people, particularly those with limited communication skills, connect to their families and communities through strengths-based skill development. Special interests, like trains, dinosaurs, or art, can be gateways to learning! As Temple Grandin says, the autistic mind is the mind of a specialist. Making use of that specialization is key to motivation, growth and a better quality of life.
- Educate individuals and the public about neurodiversity and the impacts it has on us personally and socially. I love to provide training on the ways neurodiversity affects us all. I believe we can make the world a better place by being more compassionate and inclusive in relation to our differences.
My approach:
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a subfield of behavioral psychology, focused on using the tools of behavior science to affect real-world change. I find these tools to be effective, particularly when used with a holistic, values-based approach.
ABA focuses on observable and measurable outcomes, uses evidence-based techniques drawn from research, is based on principles of human behavior, and focuses on socially significant and generalizable behavior targets. As part of ABA therapy, clients define, observe, and take data on target behaviors to determine treatment effectiveness.
Beyond strictly behavioral tools, I’m inspired by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), buddhist psychology, Zen buddhism, the work of Brene Brown, and have participated in 8 week courses in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (John Kabat Zinn) and Mindful Self Compassion (Kristin Neff).
A Note on Leisure Skill Development
A huge part of a neurotypical person’s quality of life consists in job, relationships and leisure skills. Many young autistic adults who have aged out of the school system find themselves lacking in all three of these areas. With some creativity and persistence, leisure skill development can play to an autistic person’s strenghts, potentially leading to social connections and even monetary opportunities. I’ve helped kids learn to enjoy reading, to play social games, and to visit places of interest in the community. I’d love the opportunity to help more kids build on their strengths with leisure skills. My personal life has been rich with a variety of creative and movement-based activities that I would be happy to share or teach, and I’d be open to exploring whatever other interests a client has. Below is a list of some of the things I’ve done. I’m not an expert in any of these fields, but I know enough to help an individual get started, to contact the people who are practicing these things in their community, and troubleshoot barriers to participation.
- Movement – partner dancing, contact improv, yoga, poi spinning, aerial, zumba, playground play, simple tumbling, breathwork, solo dance, simple cardio, simple weightlifting, simple bouldering (rock climbing), basketball, jogging, swimming, soccer, fire dancing, slack line walking, paddle boarding, kayaking
- Music – drumming, singing, ukelele, piano, electronic effects/mixing, synthesizers, song writing, music composition, music with found objects
- Visual art – drawing, water color, coloring, nature journaling, collage, photography, video blogging, claymation, comics, art shows
- Crafting – crochet, simple sewing, jewelry making, hair wraps, costume design
- Writing – fiction (fantasy, romance, paranormal, fairy tale), web-page building, blogging, texting/emailing, social media, journaling, self-exploration
- Misc – cooking, baking, fashion, board game design, role-playing video games, historical research, sex-positive/kink communities, sex education, LGBTQ+ advocacy, relationship skills
- Nature – hiking, walking, animal behavior, bird watching, animal/plant ID, gardening
- Mindfulness – daily mindfulness practices, guided meditation apps, Zen meditation, Vipassana meditation, self-compassion, creating individualized guided meditations / visualizations
Life Tools 