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 specialize in guiding adults through an informed autism self- assessment. 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: a Certified Autism Specialist and the founder of 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. I have specialized in exactly what is necessary so that I can help other autistic individuals improve their lives. I also guide people on the journey to self-identify autism.
​
My 30-year career as a mentor and educator and my Ivy-league Master's degree provides me with the expertise and experience to tie it all together for you. I empower autistic individuals to live fulfilling lives with less stress and more personal acceptance. I can work with you and provide the support you need to work toward your goals.
​
​
​
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. With my guidance, 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 works 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 recognize autism in themselves:
​
-
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.) to support autistic adolescents and young adults.
​
Why my methods of using PEERS social skills reinforcement are the best:
​​​
-
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 newly discovering themselves and their neurotype.
​
​
​
My overall purpose in my work 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 life you would like to improve but aren't sure how to start.
​
I am here to help you in any way that I can.
​
If you are searching for "autism testing for adults near me," or "how to help my autistic teen," you've come to the right place.
​
So, don’t wait any longer for answers and direction!
​
​
​
​
For more information about autism in general, please see my blog page on this site.
​