Autistic Life Coaching

with Bird Sellergren

Are you autistic and need support to navigate life's responsibilities, plan for the future, and achieve your goals?

Do you feel like those around you aren’t hearing you or don’t truly understand your needs and desires? 


I am a personal life coach in San Francisco, CA, specializing in coaching autistic individuals to achieve their well-being by tackling obstacles in various areas of their lives.

I am uniquely positioned to support the autistic community, particularly late-diagnosed people because I am also autistic and see our strengths where other coaches may see our deficits.

Finding professional assistance with decision-making, managing executive functioning, and fostering relationships can be a significant hurdle for autistic adults.

My coaching approach emphasizes that autistic happiness and success partially come from accepting who we are. We can also acknowledge how autism factors into our challenges and consider that in building strategies to reach our potential.

Through our partnership, we'll develop a roadmap to success that capitalizes on your strengths, establishes clear intentions, and addresses any obstacles that arise along the way.



Some autism coaches prioritize altering autistic behaviors by encouraging us to behave more like neurotypicals. They may use outdated language that demonstrates how out of touch they are with the autism community. This approach can harm our psyche, autonomy, and self-determination.

I am an expert on the detrimental effects of societal norms and behaviorism on autistic individuals. My coaching methods validate your worth and capabilities as a valuable autistic individual.


As an autistic individual myself, I intimately understand the hurdles we face. I am adept at devising strategies that honor our neurodivergent perspectives while guiding us toward our aspirations.

My approach to coaching is rooted in compassion and acceptance. I offer personalized one-on-one coaching tailored specifically for autistic individuals and their families who wish to improve their understanding and support.

We will uncover areas where you would like to progress, including relationships, employment, managing burnout, financial management, academic pursuits, and independent living, then develop a plan to reach your aspirations.

Foremost, I recognize the value of the unique, autistic brain and work to ensure my clients know their worth.

My coaching practice is AUTISM-AFFIRMING

I use the neurodiversity paradigm as my core methodology. This means that I do not view autism as a deficit.

I see autism as an atypical neurology that may create challenges because the world is not built for us.

I also incorporate feminism, decolonization, and intersectionality to provide an emancipatory framework to my coaching methods.

Two people sitting at a desk talking. One holds a mug of coffee.

You and I will identify your goals and set a plan to achieve them, then work together over weeks or months to achieve your goals.

My knowledge and background as an autistic person gives me the tools to address your needs from an informed place so that we can work together as a team.

Your Goals

I work one-on-one with you to locate your strengths and develop your goals for the future. This may include working on executive functioning, managing burnout, financial planning, identifying needed accommodations at work, or academic pursuits.

Your Future

Our collaborative sessions will examine where you are facing challenges, and we will build strategies to improve your quality of life, based on your goals. Life coaching does not replace therapy, but it can improve your life satisfaction.

A dark haired Asian man painting on a canvas.

Your Growth

My coaching practice is autism-informed and autism-affirming. As an autistic person myself who is deeply involved in autism advocacy, I understand how our nature can present unique challenges in a neurotypical world.

Your well-being is my greatest priority.

Together, we can work on many different areas of your life, including but not limited to:

  • Improving executive functioning.

  • Balancing relationships and alone time.

  • Improving movement habits by getting outdoors.

  • Improving decision-making.

  • Discovering your dreams and purpose.

  • Navigating gender-affirming care.

  • Adapting to change and navigating uncertainty.

  • Coping with stress.

  • Maintaining health and well-being.

  • Improving communication.

  • College and graduate school applications.

  • Job applications and navigating the work environment.

  • Navigating and strengthening relationships.

  • Developing a positive mindset.

  • Fostering emotional intelligence.

  • Incorporating mindfulness practice into your day-to-day life.

  • Managing your or a loved one’s PDA profile (pathologic demand avoidance).

  • Reducing rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD).

The Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park

I have made a career out of improving autistic lives. As an autism researcher with an M.A. in Anthropology, working on my doctorate in education, and founder of a non-profit providing peer support to autistic adults and their families, I have a proven track record of serving the autistic public using an evidence-based approach.


Is coaching right for you?

My Autistic Adult Coaching practice is tailored to your specific needs and where you are in your self-discovery journey.

In collaboration, we will:

  • Develop a tailored curriculum based on your neurodivergence, preferences, aspirations, and needs outlined in your intake form.

  • Utilize evidence-based, autism-affirming tools and resources, including the neurodiversity paradigm and mindfulness practices, drawing from my qualifications and coaching expertise.

  • Establish 1, 3, and 6-month goals, with regular check-ins to evaluate and adjust your objectives.

  • Explore your fundamental values and gain clarity on your genuine ambitions, challenges, and strengths.

  • Define a clear vision and set meaningful intentions to guide your journey.

My coaching program offers:

  • Dedicated support from me as your accountability partner.

  • A nurturing environment where you can envision your future, share concerns and insights, and seek personalized guidance from an experienced autistic professional.

  • Weekly or monthly one-on-one sessions via Zoom or in-person.

  • Email support between sessions for additional assistance and encouragement.

  • Mindfulness exercises or meditation/breathwork to complement our sessions.

I completed the life coach certification program from Transformation Academy in 2024.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • Each session is 60 minutes long, and a single session costs $75, paid by Venmo, credit/debit card, or cash. See the cost section below for more information.

    Session structure:

    Typically, that will include a check-in on last week’s work. Then, we will build upon that work and set new goals or strategies. Last, we do a wrap-up and discuss your work for the week ahead.

  • Therapists and counselors specialize in exploring the past and present to aid in trauma processing and mental health conditions. Conversely, coaches focus on the present moment, helping individuals shape their desired future. While therapists facilitate healing, coaches empower clients through self-reflection, goal-setting, and skill development.

    Unlike therapists, coaches do not address mental health issues or trauma. Instead, they foster self-awareness, strategize for the future, and refine essential skills. Rather than offering direct advice, coaches guide clients to uncover strengths and weaknesses, steering them toward fulfilling their aspirations. The essence of coaching lies in its practical approach to identifying and achieving goals, ultimately enhancing overall life satisfaction.

    Ideally, clients may begin with therapy and transition to coaching when ready. However, some individuals may feel dissatisfied with traditional mental health counseling and seek alternative approaches. It's important to note that coaching is not a replacement for therapy or mental health treatment. While it can positively impact issues like anxiety, depression, and overall life satisfaction, coaches do not diagnose or treat mental health disorders.

    Coaching should never substitute therapy or other forms of mental health care. It operates within distinct boundaries, avoiding medical advice or therapeutic practices. Collaboration with other care providers can be beneficial if necessary and with consent. As a coach, I am committed to referring my clients to autism-affirming licensed professionals when in need of mental health services.

  • I specialize in personalized one-on-one coaching for autistic individuals. I take an autism-informed and autism-affirming approach to improving the lives of my autistic clients using the neurodiversity paradigm as my core methodology.

    Because I am autistic, I understand autistic communication styles, our approaches to relationships, sensory needs, and other aspects of the autistic experience, and I use this knowledge to coach other autistic people to achieve their goals.

    I collaborate with my clients to identify measurable goals across various life domains, such as relationships, executive functioning, employment, burnout recovery, financial management, academic pursuits, and independent living. Together, we can devise a tailored plan leveraging your strengths and strategizing ways to overcome obstacles. This process is dynamic and experimental, with progress assessments every eight weeks.

    Coaching sessions typically last 50 minutes and occur weekly for the first few months. Over time, we gradually reduce the frequency to allow you to work on your goals independently between sessions. You'll always have tasks to focus on, supported by our role as your collaborator, motivator, and accountability partner.

    In coaching caretakers, family members, and others living and working with autistic people, I prioritize your concerns and goals, emphasizing a collaborative partnership with the autistic person in your life. I aim to maximize impact with minimal effort, combining education on autism and executive functioning with practical problem-solving and skill-building. I also offer a non-judgmental listening ear, acknowledging the complexity of your experiences and ensuring you feel supported and understood.

    I include quick check-ins via text and email to maintain ongoing support and communication for all active clients.on text goes here

  • Either! I work with clients via Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, or Skype. We can also have a movement meeting where we take you for a walk in San Francisco and talk about that day’s topic(s).

    If you are in the Bay Area and not in San Francisco proper but would like to meet in person, there is a $50 surcharge for each session for the coach's travel time beyond the base rates covered, so ask about this in your complimentary coaching call.

  • I can provide a video recording and text-searchable transcript of our online sessions. I only record sessions with your explicit permission description

  • The length of our coaching journey together is influenced by your unique goals, your level of ambition, and your readiness for change.

    On average, clients tend to work with me for around six months, though some find fulfillment in just eight weeks, while others benefit from a longer-term engagement.

    Consider committing to at least eight weekly sessions initially, as achieving significant progress in a shorter timeframe can be challenging. Remember, this process is about your growth and well-being, and I'm here to support you every step of the way.

  • It’s important to understand that coaching does not require the training and oversight that mental health professionals need to do for licensure. No regulations dictate what practitioners must know to practice, and practicing coaches have no accreditation or governance.

    While numerous life coaching training programs exist, few are relevant to the challenges that autistic people face.

    This is why seeking an autism-affirming coach who will understand your unique challenges is important.

    When seeking a life coach, you should ask questions to understand your coach's training and background. That information is essential to assess whether that coach has the skills you need to meet your personal goals.

    While various life coaching programs exist, very few cater to the specific needs of neurodivergent individuals and their families.

    My unique perspective in coaching stems from my personal experience as an autistic individual and my roles as a researcher and advocate. Only an autistic person has these insights. I help my autistic and neurodivergent clients create practical, individualized plans to improve their quality of life. My coaching can offer helpful assistance by focusing on skill development and setting measurable goals.

    I meet you where you are at in life, using my expertise from working with autistic adults and older teens and their lived experiences as autistic people and researchers. Coaches help clients use their strengths to identify and overcome the particular barriers they face. The ultimate goal of coaching is for clients to improve their quality of life, increase their independence, and progress toward reaching their full potential.

  • First and foremost, I am autistic, and much of my expertise comes from my lived experience. I did my M.A. research on autism discrimination and am currently pursuing my doctoral work. Additionally, I am the founder and executive director of Bay Area Autism Collective, a 501(c)3 providing peer support groups for autistic adults. I facilitate three support groups and conduct all fundraising and administrative work.

  • Some of my clients come to me with an autism diagnosis, but not all. I believe that autism self-diagnosis is valid because clinical diagnosis can be inaccessible to many for financial, cultural, or other reasons. Some clients suspect they have autism but have not undergone a formal assessment. Others may exhibit traits that fall below the diagnostic threshold. Whether you have a diagnosis or not, if you're facing challenges commonly associated with these conditions, let's have a conversation about your future.

  • Sessions are 60 minutes and cost $80. Travel time for in-person sessions outside San Francisco is billed accordingly.

  • Unfortunately, no, I do not take insurance. Life coaching is not considered a medical expense, so health insurance does not cover it. All rates are out-of-pocket and paid in cash or credit card.

  • If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, I kindly ask for at least 48 hours' notice to accommodate your request. However, cancellations should be the exception rather than the rule.

    If you are behind on homework and still need to make progress on the p evious session’s goals, don’t worry. Please attend your session anyway and we can discuss the work and adjust expectations as needed.

    Please note that no-cancellation no-shows will incur the full charge for your scheduled session.

  • Feel free to contact me through my contact form and ask away!

  • The first step is to book a complimentary 30-minute coaching discovery call, which you can schedule by contacting me through my contact page.

    A consultation conducted on Zoom will allow us to talk, discuss your situation, and explore whether I am a good fit for your needs.

Want to request a coaching consultation? Click below to schedule a 30-minute call.