I am an autistic adult, diagnosed later in life at 48 years old. I grew up knowing I didn't fit in with my peers, but not understanding why. I experienced bullying and rejection. As an autistic child, I accepted that I was less than because it was the message I heard from so many people in my life, and in those formative years, I developed PTSD. 

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Many autistic people live with PTSD due to the chronic negative social interactions they've experienced over their lifetime. Many autistic people also live with high anxiety all day, everyday. I understand the striving to be ok regardless of living with PTSD and anxiety. 
 

I was a teacher for over 20 years, with the last 5 years of my teaching career being with students who were on the autism spectrum. I loved teaching them! For the first time in my life I was with people who were like me and it was a positive turning point in my life.

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Then, my husband of 29 years died by suicide and the life that I knew died along with him.

The year following his suicide, as I tried to put the pieces of my life back together, I was constantly challenged by difficult social interactions, confusing relationship changes, out of control emotions, and very sensitive senses.

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I have now changed the trajectory of my career from being a teacher to being a Life Coach. My goal is to reduce the abundance of unintentional harm autistic people experience by well-meaning professionals who just do not understand autism.  

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I believe in the strengths of autistic people. I understand how autistic people can use their strengths to problem-solve unique solutions to the difficulties they face in their everyday lives.

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I have coached many newly-diagnosed and/or self-diagnosed autistic people about how to integrate autism into their lives in order to experience a better quality of life. I have also helped autistic people to untangle trauma and understand how PTSD intersects with autism.

 

I use a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach in helping autistic people understand how aspects of autism can help and/or hinder their recover and healing from trauma.

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I also work with professionals, family members, and friends to help them understand autistic people and our culture.

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Let me help you help yourself.

I offer a free introductory 15 minute meeting to see if I can be of help.

Contact me to set one up!

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