Heather L. Hightower (aka Payton) is an autistic therapist for autistic adults. She specializes in providing therapy and life coaching services for fellow autistics, particularly the underserved young adult population.
Support after high school and beyond is difficult to find. There are plenty of resources available for autistic children, but what happens after they graduate? I personally spent 13 years working towards my Bachelor Degree because I didn’t know that I was entitled to accommodations at school. As a therapist and certified Life Coach, I teach my clients to self-advocate for their autism while we work to create a bridge between high school and college, the workforce, and other major life transitions. With the right resources, autistics can achieve their personal and professional goals and gain a greater sense of fulfillment in their lives.
If you are seeking a therapist or Life Coach who understands and can relate to the complexities of ASD, please contact me. I look forward to getting to know you and helping you reach your goals during this exciting part of your life!
Has therapy with a neurotypical clinician been unproductive or frustrating in the past? Are you hesitant to try therapy because you’re afraid of being misunderstood? There is a distinct difference between a therapist who was educated about autism and a therapist who is autistic herself. I personally understand and empathize with the anxieties and challenges that autistic adults face, and I have adapted traditional therapeutic methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to better suit the autistic mind. During therapy we will create a solution that works for you instead of molding you to fit a solution. I offer 50-55-minute sessions and 90-minute sessions via Zoom. Therapy clients must be residents of Texas.
$150 | 50 minutes
$200 | 90 minutes
As autistic life coach, I work one-on-one with adult autistics to set and achieve personal goals, increase self-awareness and confidence, and succeed in various areas of their personal and professional lives. Some topics that I coach my clients on include dating and relationships, employability skills, stress management, interpreting social cues, and socializing in casual and professional settings, to name a few. What are you hoping to achieve in life?
I accept life coaching clients from all over the United States and coaching sessions are held via Zoom.
$150 per coaching session
I offer both one-on-one and group consulting sessions and group trainings for employers, colleges, schools, and other professionals who work with autistic adults. Autistics are more than capable of graduating college or working a full-time, long-term job. However, creating an autism-friendly workplace or campus requires more than having designated quiet spaces and other sensory modifications. While these things are important, maintaining a culture of flexibility, patience, and belonging is crucial to giving autistics the opportunity to succeed. We can meet on Zoom or in-person (travel fee may apply).
$1000 | half day
$2000 | full day
I hold weekly therapeutic group sessions on Zoom for autistic adults, mental health professionals, and parents and loved ones of autistics. There will be a waiting list if groups are full and you will be contacted with your start date when a spot opens up.
Where: Zoom
Commitment: Groups 1, 3, and 4 require no commitment, but Group 2 requires a 12-week commitment
Cost: $30-50 per session
Major life events such as going to college or entering the workforce can be very difficult and scary for anyone, and young autistic adults face unique challenges during these times. Can I have the same learning accommodations as I did in high school? What are my legal rights? How do I live independently? If you are going through a transition period in your life, you will benefit from my week-long, in-home “masterclass” for navigating this period of change.
We will first meet over Zoom to discuss your prior treatments (if any), strengths and weaknesses, tendencies, your IEP/504 from high school, and where you’re headed – college, the workforce, or somewhere else. I will then travel to you and we will work to update your new environment with the accommodations you previously had and master the executive functioning skills that you need help with. After I leave we will have three follow up meetings over Zoom.
This program is not meant to change you as a person, nor function as therapy. I am there to teach you how to use your strengths in new ways and to make sure that you get the services and assistance that will set you up for success. Want to learn more about this program? Schedule a free Zoom consultation with me.
$7,500 plus travel expenses
So how does one become comfortable with stimming? Comfort levels in stimming are personalized and different for each client. If the stim is quiet or not very
visible, such as rolling a coin or paperclip in pocket, movements with the tongue, repeatedly rubbing fingers or thumb, twirling your hair, popping gum, etc., then stepping out and stimming in public may be
easier.
The primary reason that stimming is important is because stimming enables us to function better in all realms of life. It’s that simple. So why is it such a big deal for me now? It’s only a big deal if:1. You’re experiencing conflicts with relationships, school, job performance, and focus,
How do I know what stim works for me? This is a question that is often asked during a session. A lot of times stimming comes very naturally and our body automatically knows what to do. But for some of us, it’s a little more difficult. One reason could be
Our first step is to have a free 15-minute consultation call. We will discuss your goals and then determine which service best fits your needs.
I am based in Central Texas, but we will work together over Zoom or on-location depending on your needs.
Yes! I accept Life Coaching and Intensive Program clients from all over the United States. At this time regular therapy sessions are limited to Texas residents only.
No; however, I can provide a Superbill for you to turn into your insurance. (Texas residents only)
The number of sessions will vary depending on your needs. The average therapy or coaching client meets with me once per week for a total of 12 sessions, but it could be more or fewer for you.
If you’d like to make an appointment, you’ll first need to schedule a free consultation phone call. You can do that by clicking on the “make an appointment” button below, or by clicking here. You will then schedule your intake appointment and following therapy or coaching appointments with me.
A typical therapy or coaching session lasts 50-55 minutes, but I also offer 90 minute sessions. The in-person Intensive Program lasts several hours per day for one week.
No; I work with many self-diagnosed autistics who are looking for validation as well as formally diagnosed autistics. I also offer formal diagnostic evaluations if you are an adult seeking an autism diagnosis. These evaluations are priced at $1800 (payment plans available).
I do not offer therapy for non-autistic adults. However, I often consult non-autistics who are employers and educators, and coach family members of autistic adults. Schedule a free consultation with me to see if these options are right for you!
I work with autistic clients who are graduating high school students through late adulthood, with the majority of my clientele being young adults and adults who are struggling with mental health related topics. I do not offer therapy or coaching services for children, but I do work with the parents of children in the Intensive Program.
We will discuss suitability during our free consultation call.
So how does one become comfortable with stimming? Comfort levels in stimming are personalized and different for each client. If the stim is quiet or not very
visible, such as rolling a coin or paperclip in pocket, movements with the tongue, repeatedly rubbing fingers or thumb, twirling your hair, popping gum, etc., then stepping out and stimming in public may be
easier.
The primary reason that stimming is important is because stimming enables us to function better in all realms of life. It’s that simple. So why
How do I know what stim works for me? This is a question that is often asked during a session. A lot of times stimming
"If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism."
Let’s chat about what you’re hoping to gain from therapy or coaching. I can’t wait to meet you!
Phone: 254-644-4843 | Email: autisticworkingforautistics@gmail.com
Office: Waco, TX | Hours: Tuesday-Friday from 12pm-6pm
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