Affirming Support Collaborative LLC is a collective vision created with our community in mind. It is a passion project rooted in empathy, equity and mutual aid. We are a team of neurodivergent (e.g. Autistic, ADHD, OCD, Dyslexic, etc.) therapists and teachers who are disillusioned with the current model of care available for Autistic children and their families. We have individually pushed back against outdated and sometimes harmful therapy practices and policies in our schools and clinics and advocated for the needs of the children and families we work with. The changes have been incremental at best. We envision a world in which Autistic and other neurodivergent children and their families are supported in a way that allows them to thrive as their whole and authentic selves. We reject the notion of Autism and other neurotypes being something to be cured, eliminated, or hidden/repressed. Rather, with the right kinds of support and education for families and the community, all children can thrive. We are building a community resource center in Los Angeles to offer a new model of care for neurodivergent children and their families.

First, we will be providing developmental and relationship based therapies for Autistic children and their families. Our entire team is neurodivergent (e.g. Autistic, ADHD, OCD, Dyslexic, etc.) and integrates lived experience with extensive clinical experience and education. Our founder, Cailey, has 17 years of experience working with Autistic children in Ohio, NYC, LA and internationally in clinical and school settings. She holds a Masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, a Bachelors in Psychology and Sociology, an Associates in Early Childhood Education, additional graduate coursework in Special Education, and is currently working through coursework in Clinical Child Psychology toward licensure as a Couples and Family Therapist. We strongly believe that Autism is not something to be cured or eliminated and reject the idea that therapy should exist to teach children to mask or conform. Rather, we focus on building upon strengths, teaching children to cope with the stressors of life, and empower families to adapt their lifestyle and advocate for their kids. We are excited to offer services that we believe in without the pushback or “jumping-through-hoops” of others who are not yet embracing this way of thinking. 

*See photos for what it means to be a “neurodiversity-affirming therapist”

Second, we will be launching an Early Childhood Learning Center as an alternative placement for Autistic and neurodivergent children to grow and thrive. Our model is influenced by Montessori, Reggio-Emilia, nature-based, and other naturalistic models considered best practice in Early Childhood Education. Research shows that allowing ample opportunities for exploration and child-led play leads to the greatest outcomes in creativity, social-emotional development and overall integration of knowledge in early childhood. Our team are experts in carefully scaffolding learning opportunities for neurodivergent children, while allowing them to lead their own learning. Neurodivergent children are not provided access to this kind of education as it was previously (and continues to be) believed they could not learn this way. This misguided belief has done a massive disservice to children and their families. We are excited to change this narrative.

New research demonstrates play-based education is superior in early childhood: https://www.npr.org/2022/02/10/1079406041/resea…

Third, with your support we will build our team and resources to offer the highest quality services for our community. We will move into a physical location and build a robust training program for student teachers and clinicians. Serving as a training site will increase the ripple effect of this way of thinking, transforming our community and beyond to more fully accept and include Autistic children.

Lastly, we are building a library of continuing education courses for purchase by therapists and teachers to unlearn harmful, outdated practices, and adopt a neurodiversity-affirming perspective. 

We can do so much better for Autistic children and their families. Thank you SO much for your support!