Giulietta Flaherty

I began working with autistic adults when I was an undergraduate student in college, volunteering with my school's college program for adults with neurodevelopmental challenges. This random volunteer opportunity completely changed my career trajectory, and I went from my undergraduate program right into graduate school, with a goal of continuing to serve the adult autism community. In my career, I have supported autistic adults in academic settings, vocational settings, residential settings, and have spent many hours doing both therapy and assessment. I truly value all of the opportunities I have had to grow with and from the autistic adults I have worked with in my career.

At the end of the classic movie "The Wizard of Oz," Glinda tells Dorothy she can go home by clicking the heels of her ruby slippers, which she has had since the beginning of the movie. Glinda says, "You have always had the power, my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself." This is truly how I view my role in working with the autism community: I know that the clients I work with have the power to achieve anything they set their minds to, and it is my role to simply help them learn it for themselves. With my strengths-based approach and commitment to neurodiversity affirming practices, I make sure my clients leave sessions feeling confident and supported to tackle any challenges that may come their way.