Autism coaches work with parents, guardians, and autistic adults to help them navigate the challenges they face over time. Sometimes called “autism experts,” most coaches are a combination of knowledgeable advisors and emotional support providers.
For many people, an autism coach can be a terrific resource, particularly during times of stress and change as you navigate a new world of diagnostic terms, legal documents, and acronyms for everything from school programs to therapies. Forautistic adults, it’s helpful in managing personal relationships, plan for the future, or day-to-day challenges.
This article explains the work of autism coaches and the assistance they offer. It can help you to decide if an autism expert is a good fit for you, or your loved one and family.
What Does It Mean to Be Neurodivergent?
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Overview of Autism Coaching
Autism coaches are, essentially, guides for autistic people in our largelyneurotypical world.But because autistic people are both diverse and complex, there are autism coaches or experts in many different specialties.
You may find that you’re more than capable of handling certain aspects of life with autism but need help in others—and there’s a good chance that you’ll find an autism coach or expert who can help.
Autism Coaching Credentials
It is important to know that there is no meaningful credential available for autism coaching per se. That’s not to say that autism coaches have no credentials—many aresocial workers, disability teachers, psychologists, therapists, or even lawyers (depending on their area of expertise).
Others are experts in areas that are important to caregivers of autistic people but require no credentialing. For example, there are people who specialize in housing options for autistic adults.
If someone claims to be a “certified autism expert” or “credentialed autism coach,” ask them to give you more information about their credential.
There’s a good chance they have a legitimate credential in, for example, special or disability education, or psychology—but there’s also a possibility that their “credential” involved no more than a few hours of online reading and payment of a few hundred dollars for a certificate.
The fact that someone doesn’t have a “credential” in autism coaching does not mean they can’t help you. Regardless of who you seek out, be sure to screen them to discern how much they know about autism.
Types of Autism Coaches and Experts
The needs of autistic people and their caregivers are wide-ranging, so it’s not surprising to find a wide range of people hanging out their shingles as coaches and experts, too. Here are just some of the areas in which you’ll find people ready to provide help, guidance, and advocacy for a fee:
Paying for Autism Coaches and Experts
Coaches for Autistic Adults
The majority of people who call themselves autism coaches are social workers, therapists, or psychologists who work directly with autistic teens and adults. They help them to build skills, manage frustrations, and generally find success at home, in college, at work, and in the community.
Some people refer to themselves as autism life coaches: people with the knowledge, credentials, and skills to help autistic adults reach their own goals.
For example, many autistic people have difficulty with:
While many coaches use an eclectic approach to help their clients, others make use of existing tools to help their clients set goals, identify strengths and challenges, and overcome issues.
The Global and Regional Autism Spectrum Partnership (GRASP) offers both full-price and discounted coaching sessions for some autistic adults and their parents or guardians. In addition to the issues described above, GRASP also provides support for autistic couples and forautistic parents or guardians.
Autism Coaches and Experts for Parents or Guardians
Autism coaches and experts who work with and for parents or guardians may also be psychologists or social workers who are helping them to manage their feelings about caring for an autistic child or adult.
This may be especially appropriate in situations in which the autistic person has high support needs, or in situations in which guardians and their autistic children have a difficult time connecting or communicating.
Much of the time, however, parents or guardians hire autism coaches and experts because they are coping with complex questions or challenges that require very specific knowledge and resources. For example:
How to Find an Autism Coach
The AANE coaching association and GRASP are good places to start when looking for a general autism coach. They include life coaches, psychologists, social workers, behavioral specialists, vocational counselors, and therapists, all of whom have specific experience working with autistic individuals and their families.
If you’re looking for a specific type of coach or expert, it makes sense to tap your school district and/or the Internet to find some potential names. Before moving forward, however, check with other families in your local area for reviews and recommendations.
Ask any potential provider for references and check them. Not only are you looking for someone who is reputable and reliable, but you’re also looking for someone who really understands your situation and the laws, funding sources, resources, and pitfalls in your particular geographical location.
A Word From Verywell
Coaching can be a lifesaver, especially when families are under stress or don’t have the knowledge or resources to make smart decisions. It’s important to bear in mind, though, that no coach can make decisions for you or an autistic child—nor should they. The best decisions involve all stakeholders: not only parents or guardians and their advisors but also autistic children and adults.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alvares GA, Bebbington K, Cleary D, et al.The misnomer of ‘high functioning autism’: Intelligence is an imprecise predictor of functional abilities at diagnosis.Autism. 2020;24(1):221-232. doi: 10.1177/1362361319852831Bernie C, Williams K, Graham F, May T.Coaching while waiting for autism spectrum disorder assessment: protocol of a pilot feasibility study for a randomized controlled trial on occupational performance coaching and service navigation support.JMIR Research Protocols. 2021;10(1):e20011. doi: 10.2196/20011The Asperger/Autism Network.Parent Coaching.Nakao M, Shirotsuki K, Sugaya N.Cognitive–behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.BioPsychoSocial Medicine. 2021;15(1):16. doi: 10.1186/s13030-021-00219-wJohnston K, Murray K, Spain D, Walker I, Russell A.Executive function: cognition and behaviour in adults with autism spectrum disorders(Asd).J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49(10):4181-4192. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04133-7Balasco L, Provenzano G, Bozzi Y.Sensory abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders: a focus on the tactile domain, from genetic mouse models to the clinic.Front Psychiatry. 2020;10:1016. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.01016Dekker V, Nauta MH, Timmerman ME, et al.Social skills group training in children with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled trial.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2019;28(3):415-424. doi: 10.1007/s00787-018-1205-1Lawson RP, Aylward J, Roiser JP, Rees G.Adaptation of social and non-social cues to direction in adults with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical adults with autistic traits.Dev Cogn Neurosci. 2018;29:108-116. doi: 10.1016/j.dcn.2017.05.001Hodgetts S, Park E.Preparing for the future: a review of tools and strategies to support autonomous goal setting for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders.Disability and Rehabilitation. 2017;39(6):535-543. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2016.1161084Grove R, Roth I, Hoekstra RA.The motivation for special interests in individuals with autism and controls: Development and validation of the special interest motivation scale: Special interests, motivation, and autism.Autism Research. 2016;9(6):677-688. doi: 10.1002/aur.1560Marcotte J, Grandisson M, Piquemal C, Boucher A, Rheault MÈ, Milot É.Supporting independence at home of people with autism spectrum disorder: literature review.Can J Occup Ther. 2020;87(2):100-116. doi: 10.1177/0008417419890179Hillier A, Poto N, Schena D, Dorey J, Buckingham A, Santangelo M,et al.Overview of a Life Skills Coaching Program for Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Coaches’ Perspectives.Psychological Reports.2021. doi:10.1177/0033294121991021Additional ReadingMinjarez, M. B., Karp, E. A., Stahmer, A. C., & Brookman-Frazee, L. (2020).Empowering parents through parent training and coaching.In Y. Bruinsma, M. B. Minjarez, L. Schreibman, & A. C. Stahmer (Eds.),Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorder(p. 77–98). Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co..
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alvares GA, Bebbington K, Cleary D, et al.The misnomer of ‘high functioning autism’: Intelligence is an imprecise predictor of functional abilities at diagnosis.Autism. 2020;24(1):221-232. doi: 10.1177/1362361319852831Bernie C, Williams K, Graham F, May T.Coaching while waiting for autism spectrum disorder assessment: protocol of a pilot feasibility study for a randomized controlled trial on occupational performance coaching and service navigation support.JMIR Research Protocols. 2021;10(1):e20011. doi: 10.2196/20011The Asperger/Autism Network.Parent Coaching.Nakao M, Shirotsuki K, Sugaya N.Cognitive–behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.BioPsychoSocial Medicine. 2021;15(1):16. doi: 10.1186/s13030-021-00219-wJohnston K, Murray K, Spain D, Walker I, Russell A.Executive function: cognition and behaviour in adults with autism spectrum disorders(Asd).J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49(10):4181-4192. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04133-7Balasco L, Provenzano G, Bozzi Y.Sensory abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders: a focus on the tactile domain, from genetic mouse models to the clinic.Front Psychiatry. 2020;10:1016. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.01016Dekker V, Nauta MH, Timmerman ME, et al.Social skills group training in children with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled trial.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2019;28(3):415-424. doi: 10.1007/s00787-018-1205-1Lawson RP, Aylward J, Roiser JP, Rees G.Adaptation of social and non-social cues to direction in adults with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical adults with autistic traits.Dev Cogn Neurosci. 2018;29:108-116. doi: 10.1016/j.dcn.2017.05.001Hodgetts S, Park E.Preparing for the future: a review of tools and strategies to support autonomous goal setting for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders.Disability and Rehabilitation. 2017;39(6):535-543. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2016.1161084Grove R, Roth I, Hoekstra RA.The motivation for special interests in individuals with autism and controls: Development and validation of the special interest motivation scale: Special interests, motivation, and autism.Autism Research. 2016;9(6):677-688. doi: 10.1002/aur.1560Marcotte J, Grandisson M, Piquemal C, Boucher A, Rheault MÈ, Milot É.Supporting independence at home of people with autism spectrum disorder: literature review.Can J Occup Ther. 2020;87(2):100-116. doi: 10.1177/0008417419890179Hillier A, Poto N, Schena D, Dorey J, Buckingham A, Santangelo M,et al.Overview of a Life Skills Coaching Program for Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Coaches’ Perspectives.Psychological Reports.2021. doi:10.1177/0033294121991021Additional ReadingMinjarez, M. B., Karp, E. A., Stahmer, A. C., & Brookman-Frazee, L. (2020).Empowering parents through parent training and coaching.In Y. Bruinsma, M. B. Minjarez, L. Schreibman, & A. C. Stahmer (Eds.),Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorder(p. 77–98). Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co..
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Alvares GA, Bebbington K, Cleary D, et al.The misnomer of ‘high functioning autism’: Intelligence is an imprecise predictor of functional abilities at diagnosis.Autism. 2020;24(1):221-232. doi: 10.1177/1362361319852831Bernie C, Williams K, Graham F, May T.Coaching while waiting for autism spectrum disorder assessment: protocol of a pilot feasibility study for a randomized controlled trial on occupational performance coaching and service navigation support.JMIR Research Protocols. 2021;10(1):e20011. doi: 10.2196/20011The Asperger/Autism Network.Parent Coaching.Nakao M, Shirotsuki K, Sugaya N.Cognitive–behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.BioPsychoSocial Medicine. 2021;15(1):16. doi: 10.1186/s13030-021-00219-wJohnston K, Murray K, Spain D, Walker I, Russell A.Executive function: cognition and behaviour in adults with autism spectrum disorders(Asd).J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49(10):4181-4192. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04133-7Balasco L, Provenzano G, Bozzi Y.Sensory abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders: a focus on the tactile domain, from genetic mouse models to the clinic.Front Psychiatry. 2020;10:1016. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.01016Dekker V, Nauta MH, Timmerman ME, et al.Social skills group training in children with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled trial.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2019;28(3):415-424. doi: 10.1007/s00787-018-1205-1Lawson RP, Aylward J, Roiser JP, Rees G.Adaptation of social and non-social cues to direction in adults with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical adults with autistic traits.Dev Cogn Neurosci. 2018;29:108-116. doi: 10.1016/j.dcn.2017.05.001Hodgetts S, Park E.Preparing for the future: a review of tools and strategies to support autonomous goal setting for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders.Disability and Rehabilitation. 2017;39(6):535-543. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2016.1161084Grove R, Roth I, Hoekstra RA.The motivation for special interests in individuals with autism and controls: Development and validation of the special interest motivation scale: Special interests, motivation, and autism.Autism Research. 2016;9(6):677-688. doi: 10.1002/aur.1560Marcotte J, Grandisson M, Piquemal C, Boucher A, Rheault MÈ, Milot É.Supporting independence at home of people with autism spectrum disorder: literature review.Can J Occup Ther. 2020;87(2):100-116. doi: 10.1177/0008417419890179Hillier A, Poto N, Schena D, Dorey J, Buckingham A, Santangelo M,et al.Overview of a Life Skills Coaching Program for Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Coaches’ Perspectives.Psychological Reports.2021. doi:10.1177/0033294121991021
Alvares GA, Bebbington K, Cleary D, et al.The misnomer of ‘high functioning autism’: Intelligence is an imprecise predictor of functional abilities at diagnosis.Autism. 2020;24(1):221-232. doi: 10.1177/1362361319852831
Bernie C, Williams K, Graham F, May T.Coaching while waiting for autism spectrum disorder assessment: protocol of a pilot feasibility study for a randomized controlled trial on occupational performance coaching and service navigation support.JMIR Research Protocols. 2021;10(1):e20011. doi: 10.2196/20011
The Asperger/Autism Network.Parent Coaching.
Nakao M, Shirotsuki K, Sugaya N.Cognitive–behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.BioPsychoSocial Medicine. 2021;15(1):16. doi: 10.1186/s13030-021-00219-w
Johnston K, Murray K, Spain D, Walker I, Russell A.Executive function: cognition and behaviour in adults with autism spectrum disorders(Asd).J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49(10):4181-4192. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04133-7
Balasco L, Provenzano G, Bozzi Y.Sensory abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders: a focus on the tactile domain, from genetic mouse models to the clinic.Front Psychiatry. 2020;10:1016. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.01016
Dekker V, Nauta MH, Timmerman ME, et al.Social skills group training in children with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled trial.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2019;28(3):415-424. doi: 10.1007/s00787-018-1205-1
Lawson RP, Aylward J, Roiser JP, Rees G.Adaptation of social and non-social cues to direction in adults with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical adults with autistic traits.Dev Cogn Neurosci. 2018;29:108-116. doi: 10.1016/j.dcn.2017.05.001
Hodgetts S, Park E.Preparing for the future: a review of tools and strategies to support autonomous goal setting for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders.Disability and Rehabilitation. 2017;39(6):535-543. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2016.1161084
Grove R, Roth I, Hoekstra RA.The motivation for special interests in individuals with autism and controls: Development and validation of the special interest motivation scale: Special interests, motivation, and autism.Autism Research. 2016;9(6):677-688. doi: 10.1002/aur.1560
Marcotte J, Grandisson M, Piquemal C, Boucher A, Rheault MÈ, Milot É.Supporting independence at home of people with autism spectrum disorder: literature review.Can J Occup Ther. 2020;87(2):100-116. doi: 10.1177/0008417419890179
Hillier A, Poto N, Schena D, Dorey J, Buckingham A, Santangelo M,et al.Overview of a Life Skills Coaching Program for Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Coaches’ Perspectives.Psychological Reports.2021. doi:10.1177/0033294121991021
Minjarez, M. B., Karp, E. A., Stahmer, A. C., & Brookman-Frazee, L. (2020).Empowering parents through parent training and coaching.In Y. Bruinsma, M. B. Minjarez, L. Schreibman, & A. C. Stahmer (Eds.),Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorder(p. 77–98). Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co..
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