Coaching for Autistic Adults, Teens, and their Caretakers
With Bird Sellergren
How Coaching Works
Autistic People
Coaching begins with a reframe: the systems you are navigating aren’t built with autistic needs in mind, and the difficulty you experience in them is not a personal failing. Together we examine how autism shapes the way you move through the world — your sensory experience, your processing, your relationships, your energy — and build strategies grounded in that understanding. The goal is to embrace your authentic self, build confidence in who you are, and develop self-advocacy skills to navigate the world on your own terms.
Organizations
Organizations that want to genuinely support neurodivergent people need more than accommodation policies and compliance frameworks. Our consulting and training help your team develop a deeper understanding of neurodivergence in the workplace and what that means for how you structure work, communicate expectations, and build inclusive environments. We work together to align your organizational culture with the needs of the neurodivergent people you work with.
Families and Caretakers
Most families arrive with the right intentions but may be using an inadequate framework. Coaching for families and caretakers starts by examining the assumptions underlying the questions you are already asking about behavior, support, and what the autistic person in your life needs. We work together to understand how autism functions and shapes the lived experience of autistic people, and how to position yourself as an informed support system for those you love.
Are you autistic and need support to navigate life's responsibilities, plan for the future, and achieve your goals?
Are you a parent, caretaker, or educator who wants to learn how to support the autistic person in your life better?
Do you feel like those around you aren’t hearing you or don’t truly understand your needs?
My Lived and Professional Experience
I am autistic myself, and my coaching is informed by lived experience as well as academic training.
I completed my master’s degree researching workplace equity for autistic people, and I am currently pursuing both an EdD and a PhD focused on autism equity in education.
An Autism-Affirming Approach
My practice is explicitly autism-affirming. I do not aim to change autistic behavior to fit neurotypical norms.
Instead, I work from the understanding that autism is a valid form of human neurology, and that many challenges arise because environments and expectations are not designed with autistic people in mind.
I help autistic people clarify their goals, develop strategies that work for their neurology, and make sense of how autism influences their relationships and environments. This process builds durable self-advocacy skills that support long-term independence and well-being.
Who I Work With
I provide coaching for autistic adults and teens, as well as for parents, caretakers, and educators who want to better understand and support autistic people in their lives. My work centers autistic perspectives while also supporting the people and systems around them.
What We Work On Together
Coaching focuses on practical and relational areas such as decision-making, executive functioning, relationships, employment, burnout, finances, academics, and independent living.
We identify your goals, clarify what is getting in the way, and build strategies that fit your neurology and circumstances.
Values and Framework
My coaching validates autistic autonomy, self-determination, and worth.
I work within the neurodiversity paradigm and draw on feminist, decolonial, and intersectional frameworks to ensure that support is ethical, respectful, and responsive to real-world power dynamics.
Together, we can work on areas such as:
Executive functioning, decision-making, and follow-through
Balancing relationships, boundaries, and alone time
Communication, self-advocacy, and navigating misunderstandings
Stress, burnout, and emotional regulation
Adapting to change, uncertainty, and transitions
Education planning, including college and graduate school applications
Employment-related support, including job applications and workplace navigation
Supporting or understanding PDA profiles and demand-related stress
Understanding and reducing rejection sensitivity distress
Supporting autistic identity development, including gender-affirming care navigation
Building sustainable routines that support health, well-being, and engagement with the world
Helping caretakers better understand autistic needs, strengths, and support strategies
Coaching may be a good fit if you are autistic, or if you are a parent/caretaker, or organization supporting an autistic person.
My work is informed by lived experience and by leadership as a nonprofit founder, educator, and facilitator, allowing me to support clients with both practical skill-building and systems-level insight.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Each session is 60 minutes long, and a single session costs $110, paid by Venmo, credit/debit card, or cash.
I also offer a Rapid Lab session, a quick 15-minute session to follow up on a specific scenario or question you may have or need support with. Rapid Lab is $40.
Session structure:
A typical coaching session will include a brief check-in on the previous session’s work. After that, we will build on that content and discuss new issues as they arise. We may dive deeper into aspects of the autistic experience, set new goals, or think about new strategies. Last, we wrap up by discussing what you may work on between sessions.
Rapid Labs are one-question, one-scenario, one-issue brainstorming sessions.
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Coaching focuses on present and future goals, skill-building, and navigating real-world systems. It does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions and is not a replacement for therapy. Many clients engage in both simultaneously, and I refer out when therapeutic support is needed.
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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.
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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.
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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 free 30-minute call.
