Autism Discovery

Do you think you or a loved one may be autistic?

Or are you autistic and wanting to have more peace and comfort in your life? Are there changes you would like to make but you don't know how to start?

I offer guided self-assessment to screen for autism in adults. A guided self-assessment with me allows an economical and efficient route to answer your questions about autism.

I also provide mentoring to autistic adults, young adults, and adolescents. I help them become their best selves and lead happier and more fulfilling lives.

I'm Lara Schaeffer. I earned credentialing to be a Certified Autism Specialist in 2022 and then founded Autism Discovery...

...and I am also autistic. But this fact was not revealed until well into my forties.

Autistic identification has transformed my life (along with that of my daughter when she was fifteen).

Since then, I have been trained and certified many times, specializing my skill set and the mentoring experience I acquired through my career in education so that I can help other autistic individuals improve their lives. I also guide people in what may be an ongoing journey to self-identify autism to allow them the confidence which can be lacking when investigating on their own.

My 30-year career as a mentor and educator and my Ivy-league Master's degree provide me with the background, expertise, and confidence to help my clients move toward tying things together. I empower autistic individuals to live fulfilling lives with less stress and more personal acceptance.

I well understand how it hurts to have undiagnosed autism. It poses extreme personal and social challenges, and it affects your mental, emotional, and physical health.

But finding the answers completely on your own can be confusing and intimidating, and official evaluations are imperfect and costly. Through my mentoring, people who suspect they are autistic can begin to map the terrain of their struggles and can work with me to find solutions that can improve their lives tremendously.

When autism is identified in people who were previously unaware, they can begin to understand that their mind operates in different and unique ways, and they can begin to recover from negative past experiences and social interactions.

Here’s how I guide others to establish their relationship to autism:

I use the best of well-established evaluative processes
I educate individuals about autism beyond the stereotypes and assumptions, and about how widely its traits can vary in different people
I help individuals recognize qualities, traits, and patterns in themselves that may align with autism
Then, if autism is identified, I support people in navigating their next steps in life

I am also proud to use the foundation and guiding principles of the PEERS program (out of U.C.L.A. in the United States) to support autistic adolescents and young adults.

Why my methods of using PEERS social skills reinforcement work:

I customize the program for each client to achieve personalized results.
I use the founding principles of PEERS to help young adults improve their social skills at their own pace and interest level.
My 28 years of high school English teaching helps me know the right strategies and approaches to best engage young people, especially when they are newly discovering themselves and their neurotype.

In these mentoring relationships, my overall purpose is to lend a listening ear and offer guidance to others who are autistic like me.

We work together to find solutions to the elements of your daily experience you would like to change but aren't sure how to. I can provide you the direction and support you need to work toward your goals and improve your life.

I am here to help you in any way that I can.

If you have been searching for "autism testing for adults near me," "virtual autism testing," "autism coaching," or "how to help my autistic teen," you've come to the right place.

So, don’t wait any longer for answers, direction, and a kind, guiding presence. I am here for you.

For more information about autism in general, please see my blog page on this site.

Lara enjoyed a long career as a high school English teacher at several of America's best high schools before her autism was diagnosed in her forties.

She soon reinvented herself professionally to help others like her, people who have lived many years challenged by autism but not even aware of it.

If you wonder if you may be autistic, or want to learn about late-identified autism, Lara is the person to consult with.

Lara is also a compassionate resource for adolescents and young adults on the spectrum who seek guidance and support in moving into adulthood. She helps with social and practical concerns like executive function and helps her clients enhance their pride and authenticity while navigating a challenging societal landscape.

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CONTACT

Email: lara.stanton.schaeffer@gmail.com