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Autism Resource Directory

This page is a collection of resources intended for autistic people, loved ones of & professional providers for autistic people. The resources include referrals, books, online resources, training recommendations and more. My hope with this is to make finding affirming care & helpful information on autism easier for people to access. This page allows me to put all the resources I have in one easily shareable place.

Other quality resource compilations on this topic can be found here:

Autism Resources Compiled by Dr. Christine Henry | BSS Autism Library: Books – Research Studies

Professional Referrals
Books & Podcasts
Finding Community
Content Creators
Apps
Self-Assessment Tools
Employment & School Support
Articles & Videos
Discussing ABA
Organizations
Trainings
Terminology

Disclaimer: I intend for these recommendations to be used as a starting place, and for you to utilize your own discretion to discern what is truly right for you. If you have any questions, concerns, corrections or additions, feel free to reach out! I am adding to & adjusting this page fairly regularly, and your feedback can only help to improve it.

Books & Podcasts

Podcasts

  • Divergent Conversations Podcast 
  • Unapologetically Sensitive Podcast
  • (my podcast, NeuroJoy, is coming soon!)

Books

  • Self-Care for Autistic People by Dr. Megan Anna Neff
  • Living Sensationally by Winnie Dunn
  • Looking After Your Autistic Self by Niamh Garvey
  • Self-Care for Autistic People by Dr. Megan Anna Neff
  • I will Die On This Hill by Megan Ashburn & Jules Edwards
  • Taking off the Mask by Dr. Hannah Louise Belcher
  • The PDA Paradox a memoir by Harry Thompson
  • NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman 
  • How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis
  • Queerly Autistic: a guide for Autistic, LGBTQ+ Teens by Erin Ekins
  • The Explosive Child by Ross Greene
  • The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook: A Neurodiversity Affirmative Approach by several authors in collaboration
  • How to Handle Relationships: a Neurodivergent Affirming Guide for Autistic Folks by Caitlin Hughes
  • The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida

Many of these books can be found at your local library, and if not, you can also request your library to add it to their collection [article: how to request a book at your library].

Social Media Creators

When connecting with content creators online, there’s so much conflicting information it can be tough! There are unfortunately so many folks online who do not know how to properly interpret research. That being said, my general recommendation is to ensure creators have strong guidelines around centering autistic voices, that they are open to new ideas able to handle criticism/accountability, are open to challenging experiences, and that they refrain from ableist language & paradigms. I also recommend avoiding communities that are focused on trying to sell you something.

Instagram

  • @neurodivergentinsights
  • @fidgets.and.fries
  • @nigh.functioning.autism
  • @audhd_academic
  • @neurowild_
  • @audhdantics
  • @autistic.qualia
  • @autism_sketches
  • @blackspectrumscholar
  • @dannywithwords
  • @nd.narratives
  • @littlepuddins.ie
  • @getaway_autist_mobile
  • @transitionabilities
  • @play.learn.chat
  • @livedexperienceeducator
  • @audhd_therapist
  • @auntinelle
  • @neurokinection
  • @montessoriandsensory
  • @beyondspeechtherapycenter
  • @notanautismmom

Facebook

  • KC Davis
  • The Autistic Teacher
  • Simon Says It’s Possible
  • Nigh Functioning Autism
  • Fidgets & Fries
  • OccuPLAYtional
  • Danny with Words

TikTok

  • @emhahee
  • @GenericArtDad

Apps

  • Finch App for self care & goal setting/keeping (can cost $/month)
  • Stay focused (restricts time spent on an activity)
  • Pic Alarms (alarm with picture chosen by user)
  • Speak Reminders (reminder app that speaks aloud your calendar)
  • Voice Notes (converts speech to text)
  • Echo (audio recorder)
  • Emergency Chat (for nonverbal needs)

Employment & School Support

Employment Support

Resources for job opportunities & workplace supports

School Support

Articles & Videos

Understanding Autism from an ND-Affirming Lens

Autism & Relationships

Autism & Food

Autism in Women

The Intersection of Autism & Race

Misc Articles

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)

Discussions on the Ethics & Efficacy of ABA

Current Neurodivergent professionals discussing the issues of the ABA world & how they are trying to navigate existing systems

Alternative Forms of Support

Organizations

Finding Community

In-Person Autism Connection Opportunities

Autism TN Community Groups (free!)

  • Spectrum Socials
    • (for autistic folks of all ages & their families) including board game days, pool parties & more
  • Adult Autistic Groups
    • Various for autistic adults, LGBTQIA+ autistic adults, & an upcoming group for women + gender expansive + nonbinary autistic adults

Friends Life Community* (small monthly fee)

  • Social Club
    • A space for disabled adults, typically folks with higher needs, to connect 2-3 times a month.
  • *I am not super familiar with this organization & cannot vouch for them having values/practices that align with my typical standards

Therapeutic & Coaching Groups

Autistic Adults

Autistic Kids & Teens

  • Kid Connections Program – Helping neurodivergent kids connect over shared interests. For ages 3 to 17. Not a group, but a great connection-building program & it is free.
  • Groups for Autistic Teens – DnD, Pottery, Yoga & more at The Hope Preserve
  • Kids Social Groups – Replenish Counseling’s groups are open to kids of any neurotype, however can be a great place for autistic kids to connect with other kids & gain more social confidence. They have Role Playing groups which feature role playing table table games (RPTTGs) such as DnD (Dungeons & Dragons), which I think is a great activity for autistic people.

Parents & Caregivers of Autistic People

Online Autism Community

The internet is one of my favorite tools for accessible connection, validation & resources. Here I’ve listed just a few recommendations of communities on reddit & Facebook to check out. I have heard discord is another great place to find folks!

Kid Connections Program at All Brains Belong – Helping neurodivergent kids connect over shared interests. For ages 3 to 17.

Reddit Threads

  • r/SpicyAutism
  • r/AutismInWomen
  • r/AskAutism

Facebook Groups

(listed in no specific order)

*More info on Collaborative Problem Solving

Professional Referrals

I encourage you to use the links associated with each individual provider to get the most accurate info on their work. If a link is broken, I recommend typing their name into google along with words like “tennesee”, “mental health,” “therapist,” etc.

NDTherapists.com & NeurodivergentPractitioners.org both have directories for neuroaffirming providers across the US + more that I recommend if you need more options!

Click the arrow next to the subheading you want to read to show its contents.

Assessment Providers

If you are looking for an assessment provider not on this list, check out this article on How to Find a Neuroaffirming Assessment Provider, written by my psychologist friend & assessment provider, Dr. Heather Joppich.

Other considerations: Confidentiality Matters: The Case for Private Pay Psych Testing | Signs of Autism in Adults & When to Seek Testing

+ = offers payment plans and/or pricing packages

** = takes some forms of insurance

# = Available in TN Only

  • + ScienceWorks Behavioral Health – adults only, available for all PSYPACT states
  • + Zephyr Care – ages 2 & up, available for all PSYPACT states
  • Michelle McAtee – adults only, available for all PSYPACT states
  • # Lila Homan – children & adults
  • # Quirkiatry – individuals, teens & up
  • # ** Dr. Van Horn – children & adults, accepts most insurance. My recommendation is Dr. Van Horn only. I’ve been told it may be difficult to get in with her specifically versus being randomly assigned a provider by the organization. That being said, I do not endorse any other provider at this practice.

Other Directories

  • Dr. Henry’s Directory, another resource directory created by a fellow neuroaffirming therapist
  • NDTherapists.com has a directory that includes providers in many countries outside the US. While I am unsure if any provide assessments, the therapists who are listed would be a good point of contact to start looking for assessment options in your area.
  • Neuroclastic’s Directory of Autism Diagnostic Specialists is another place to find possible autism assessment providers, however I cannot confirm whether or not they are utilizing the best methods.

These are providers I have personally worked with & trust for autism assessment. Unfortunately, not all assessments are the same, and being picky about who does it is important.

*** Also see “Self-Assessment Tools” section

Therapists (TN Only)

All the therapists below I have personally vetted to have a good understanding of autism & neurodivergence from an affirming lens. If they have additional specialities, I have included that info from the best of my knowledge. All of these therapists are LGBTQ+ affirming.

** = takes some forms of insurance

*I am finding more therapists for this list all the time!
*Additional ND-affirming therapists may be found here

Psychiatry (TN Only)

** = takes some forms of insurance

Therapists who, in my opinion, are well informed on autism & provide ND-affirming care.

Doctors or Nurse Practitioners who can provide medication support. I find meds can be helpful, not to “treat” autism, but rather to provide support for the extra stress that comes with being autistic in a neurotypical world.

Occupational Therapists (TN Only)

** = takes some forms of insurance

Occupational Therapists can be helpful for things like navigating sensory needs, fine motor skill development, and more.

Speech Language Pathologists (TN Only)

Speech Language Pathologists can be helpful for things such as communication, issues with swallowing, & more.

Dieticians (TN Only)

Dieticians can be helpful for things such as finding alternative ways to meet your nutritional needs while still honoring your body’s need for things like texture consistency & access to safe foods.

Coaches
  • Shane Thrapp – parents, families & individual support
  • Parent Coaching at YourConfidentChilddiscussion, and advice
  • Robert J Grant at AutPlay
    • Neurodivergence – for neurodivergent adults or parents of a neurodivergent child – education and exploration about neurodiversity, therapies, and advocacy
    • Parent Training – for parents – general parenting strategies/coaching and co-parenting planning
    • Case Consultation – for professionals – case review,

Coaching can be great for both autistic folks & caregivers of autistic folks for supporting short-term goals.

Groups

More options may be found in the Nashville-Area Group Therapy Directory, though I cannot vouch for how ND-affirming they may or may not be. https://www.seconddog.org/nashville-groups

Autistic Adults

Autistic Kids & Teens

  • Kid Connections Program – Helping neurodivergent kids connect over shared interests. For ages 3 to 17. Not a group, but a great connection-building program & it is free.
  • Groups for Autistic Teens – DnD, Pottery, Yoga & more at The Hope Preserve TN Only
  • ReplenishHer Social Groups – RH’s groups are open to kids of any neurotype, however can be a great place for neurodivergent kids to connect with other kids & gain more social confidence. They have Role Playing groups which feature role playing table table games (RPTTGs) such as DnD (Dungeons & Dragons), which I think is a great activity for autistic people. TN Only

Parents & Caregivers of Autistic People

Groups which meet either in person or online & are led by a trained individual.

Self-Assessment Tools

Though self-diagnosis is a perfectly valid form of assessment for autism, it still takes consideration of many different factors. These screeners provide clarity around some of those factors. These screeners are also not the same content you would find in a full, formalized assessment (formal assessment isn’t always more accurate than self-diagnosing, but it is different). One important aspect of a full assessment is that it often includes screening for common comorbidities, such as OCD or ADHD. See “Professional Referrals” section for assessment providers if a formal diagnosis is desired.

Some Info to Consider

A Helpful Book

  • Is This Autism? by Donna Henderson

Online Screeners

Professional Trainings

At the end of the day, working with autistic individuals in an affirming, anti-ableist way, most of us (me included) require a paradigm shift. More than using the correct terminology or being up to date on the latest research, I would argue that anti-ableist shift as the most important piece. Honoring & centering the lived experience of autistic folks has not been a priority in the scientific world for a long time, and unfortunately that has impacted much of our education & research on the subject. There are several wonderful books on how that came to be & its impact on the community (check out my recommendations for that listed under the “books” heading in this document).

Below are trainings from wonderful professionals that can aid in your journey of becoming truly neurodiversity affirming, in a format many of us are familiar with. Best wishes along your journey!