When Autism Grows Up STRONG

As parents, we want to help. We solve problems, protect our children from discomfort, and do everything we can to help them succeed. But sometimes, the very things we do out of love can unintentionally make it harder for autistic and neurodivergent young adults to develop self-reliance. In this episode, I share the 5 parenting patterns I've seen over 40 years of raising six neurodivergent chi...

After seven years of coaching autistic young adults and their parents, I've noticed something important: the struggles may look different on the surface, but underneath, they're often deeply human struggles. In this episode, I share the seven patterns I see over and over again that tend to hold people back. We'll explore why lasting growth doesn't come from pushing harder, controlling more, or try...

What if autism isn't primarily a social or communication condition—but a condition of sensory surplus? In this thought-provoking conversation, Lynn Davison sits down with Sarah Bergenfield, author of Wired to Feel , to explore a groundbreaking perspective on autism, sensory processing, and the nervous system. Together, they discuss why the world can feel overwhelming for autistic people, the role...

Why does friendship feel so hard for so many neurodivergent adults? In this powerful conversation, internationally recognized ADHD coach, educator, and author Caroline Maguire shares why traditional friendship advice often fails autistic and ADHD adults, and what actually helps. We talk about loneliness, masking, self-advocacy, online communities, friendship burnout, social anxiety, and how to bui...

Many autistic and neurodivergent young adults aren’t lazy — they’re living with nervous systems overwhelmed by uncertainty, anxiety, sensory overload, and chronic stress. In this podcast, Lynn explains why shutdown and avoidance happen, and how families can support peaceful progress, self-reliance, and growth without shame or pressure. You can also watch the YouTube video here.

Join Lynn in a powerful, honest conversation with Haley Moss, bestselling author, keynote speaker, advocate, artist, consultant, and the first openly autistic lawyer in Florida. She is one of the most influential voices in autistic self-advocacy today. Together, they dive deep into what autistic adulthood really looks like, challenging outdated ideas about independence and success. This...

In this episode, Lynn Davison discusses the unique challenges of supporting autistic young adults in their 20s and 30s, particularly in the context of the overwhelming choices and distractions created by modern technology. Drawing from her experience raising six neurodivergent adults, Lynn emphasizes the importance of forming a collaborative support team and understanding both the parents' and gra...

Join Lynn in a powerful conversation with Wendela Whitcomb Marsh, award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and leading advocate for late-diagnosed, high-masking autistic adults. Together, they dive deep into what it really takes to understand hidden autism, unmask safely, reclaim identity, and build a life rooted in authenticity and acceptance — especially for autistic women, girls, and adults who have...

Join Lynn in a powerful conversation with Dr. Francis Tabone, educator, author, and lifelong advocate for autistic and neurodivergent young adults. Together, they dive deep into what it really takes to build independence, dignity, and purpose after high school — and how parents, educators, and communities can better support this journey.  You can watch the video interview here.

In this inspiring episode, Lynn Davison of Art of Adulting talks with Silvia Gil, founder of NeuroConsulting Solutions, about practical ways to design inclusive workplaces and empower neurodiverse individuals. Listen now and discover how strength-based strategies, visual systems, and universal design can unlock potential and create environments where everyone thrives. You can watch the video...

In this powerful interview, Lynn sits down with Tara May, CEO of Aspiritech, a world-class QA testing company breaking barriers and transforming the future of autism employment. Discover how Aspiritech is building truly inclusive workplaces, offering FREE job training programs (QA testing, cybersecurity, and more), and helping autistic and neurodivergent adults gain confidence, independence, and p...

Here’s a summary of my “Understanding Autism PTx” presentation: Purpose & My Background • Delivered for Autism Awareness Month by me, a neurodivergent coach with lived experience raising six neurodiverse children. • The session is aimed at improving understanding, inclusion, and support for autistic individuals. Key Concepts 1. What is Autism? • A neurological developmental condition—not a def...

I offer 11 Mentor Methods to support parents of autistic young adults transitioning from school to earning money and running their life. I share my personal experiences and those of the members of The Art of Adulting. including 12 actionable tools to address common challenges: setting clear goals, building self-advocacy skills, and fostering resilience. Key points include: The impor...

In this short podcast, I emphasize the crucial role parents play in shaping the next generation of leaders. I highlight the importance of fostering empathy, critical thinking, and kindness in children to prepare them for leadership roles in the future. 0:02 Hi there. In these moments when the news and social media get loud, and when things feel uncertain, let's remember this important truth. 0:12...

Are shutdowns and meltdowns voluntary? Or are they our body’s way of managing our brain? Holly Bridges asserts that a shutdown or meltdown isn't willful, it's the nervous system that has learned a safety response to pain and fear. Let’s get aware of the body's impact on thinking so our autistic graduates can navigate life better. Here's my summary of Holly Bridge's theory and experience behind her...

Why is avoidance such a common way we deal with life? First, let's recognize that we all refuse help. For example, it took me a year to complete the 24-hour urine test my doctor recommended because...well, it sounded so gross. I didn't want to do it. Now that I've done it, I've learned how to strengthen my body, in this case to keep my bones strong. Recently, one of my graduates struggled getting...

I work with parents who seek me out to problem-solve with their autistic graduates through the tricky transition from school to work. Parents tell me they feel frustrated, defeated and exhausted. Their graduates feel anxious and overwhelmed, often escaping on screens where they find success even if it is virtual and they know they are avoiding getting things done. The traditional behavior-conseque...

The problem with parents is that we think we know best. To be fair, we often do. For sure we know we have our graduates' best interests at heart because we love them.     Unfortunately, graduates often avoid listening to parents. They believe they've heard it already, or that their parents just don't understand them well enough to offer good options, or that they are just criticizing. To...

I was appalled and dismayed when I read a recent study last week. It found that Autistic people 0 to 24 are 2x more likely to die that those without autism. The risk for mortality was even higher among autistic girls/women. A total of 857,994 individuals were included for analysis, 11,919 (1.4%) of whom were diagnosed with ASD. The ASD cohort had a higher proportion of boys/men (78.4%) relative to...

There's no doubt that we find happiness in the present. Even when we let our mind wander to happy topics, we are not as happy as we are when we are engaged in what we are doing, found Harvard Researchers. When we're not present, we aren't happy. Here I offer 4 ways to get focused on what we do. One starts the night before, one we can do all day, one describes how we relate, and the final sets the...

We chip away at our challenges every day of the week using the 7 Adulting Habits, and then start again on Sunday. The struggles we face preparing our autistic graduates for life on their own seem to have no ending. They dig in their heels. We get discouraged. They argue and avoid doing anything. We give up, and then realize we can't. These 7 habits help us understand the challenge, connect our bra...

I dedicate this video to all of us who wish we had done better. We can transform regret into a valuable learning experience. When we practice self-compassion, reframing regret as an opportunity for growth, and connect with others to extract lessons from past experiences we grow. Drawing on the wisdom of Daniel Pink's THE POWER OF REGRET, I identify four types of regrets and encourage us all to ref...

It feels like we both 'fell off the cliff' when our autistic graduates graduated. It is now up to us to guide them and gather the supports they need to transition from school-defined to self-defined lives. Resources supporting their independence are scattered and take time to access. And what about us? We sure could use support. Where is the path? It's The Art of Adulting Roadmap. I introduced it...

Here's how I get done what matters most to me. It's also how I encourage my graduates to do the work to build the life they want. I use the 3-2-1 Power UP! Tool daily. It energizes me. It's the #2 tool ( #1 is STEAR Mapping ) that electrifies my energy so I do my work. When we do it every day, we create satisfaction and pride . Then we can speak from experience w...

Here's my take on Dr. Megan Neff's Chapter, "Discover The Power of Self-Advocacy" from her new book SELF CARE FOR AUTISTIC PEOPLE available March 17, 2024.  https://www.amazon.com/Self-Care-Autistic-People-Recharge-Stress/dp/1507221932/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705420281&sr=8-3 I'd love to help you and your family flourish. Here's your first step: get the Autistic Adult...