NEW IDEA!!!
First Steps
First Steps, which is still very much in the development stage, is being envisioned as a monthly membership that gives parents of autistic emerging adults the foundational knowledge, community, and emotional support needed to begin making real progress in helping your child build independence and create their best life — with lots of emotional support and without the pressure of an intensive program.
What is First Steps?
Parenting an autistic emerging adult is one of the loneliest stages of parenting there is. Most people in your life — even the ones who love you — don't really understand what you're navigating.
First Steps exists in the space between "I just discovered that what we're doing to launch my emerging adult is not working" and "I'm ready to go all in to get them launched."
It's a place to land while you're figuring out what's next. A place to build the understanding and relationship with your child that makes everything else possible. It helps you lay the perfect foundation for implementing Patty Laushman's groundbreaking SBN™ parenting framework.
How Do I Know if It's For Me?
Do you resonate with any of the following statements:
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I have no one in my life who understands what this is like.
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I want to help my child, but I'm not sure now is the right time for an intensive program.
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I need to understand what's really going on before I can change anything.
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I don't understand why I'm working so hard, yet nothing seems to be working.
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I can't afford a big program right now, financially or time-wise, but I can't keep doing nothing either.*
* If you have the time and energy to focus on making big changes, you may be ready for the Parenting for Independence program
What's included?
The First Two Lessons of the Parenting for Independence Curriculum
You'll get immediate access to the first two lessons from Patty's full seven-lesson Parenting for Independence curriculum. These two lessons will help you create the foundation for all the big changes you hope your emerging adult can make.
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Lesson 1: Understanding Your Emerging Adult's Autism Profile: Finally understand what's actually driving the behaviors you've been struggling to make sense of.
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Lesson 2: Building Your Relationship With Declarative Language: Learn the communication approach that opens doors rather than closing them, and get your first real taste of Patty Laushman's SBN® parenting framework.
Monthly Needle-Mover Training With Patty Laushman
Each month, Patty teaches a live training with Q&A designed to help you move the needle on one specific challenge. Topics include executive functioning skills, activating intrinsic motivation, supporting without enabling, and more. Short, practical, and immediately applicable to your situation. Lessons are recorded so you can watch them later if you are unable to attend live.
Weekly Facilitated Support Group Calls
Every week, you'll have access to a facilitated support group call led by an experienced Thrive Autism Coaching parent coach. This is a place to share what you're going through without judgment, without anyone trying to fix you, and without feeling like the only parent in the world dealing with this. You will walk away feeling less alone.
Private Online Community
Between calls, you'll have access to a private online community where you can ask questions, share wins, and connect with other parents who genuinely get it. This community is moderated and warm — exactly the kind of place you've been looking for.
Personalized Coaching Option
You always have the option of doing private coaching with one of Thrive Autism Coaching's extremely experienced parent coaches for personalized, in-depth support to untangle really thorny problems or create a game plan for overcoming a specific challenge. Private coaching with Patty is reserved for those doing the Parenting for Independence program.
Testimonials From Parents in Our Other Programs
Burning questions other parents have asked before grabbing their access👇🏽
What does it cost?
First Steps is $99/month, but for a limited time, founding members can join for $49/month — locked in forever.
"First Steps" indicates there are more steps. What happens next?
Launching your neurodivergent emerging adult into their best life is going to be a process. When you've completed the first two lessons and you're in a place you want to dig deeper into the full SBN™ parenting framework, there's a natural path forward into the Parenting for Independence program — where you'll get the complete seven-lesson curriculum and do private coaching with either one of the our team coaches or with Patty Laushman. After Parenting for Independence, parents are invited to join the Allies progam where they get direct access to Patty in a group coaching format (with optional private options) plus access to a community of other parents who are doing the same work. Many parents find that First Steps gives them exactly what they need to know they're ready. When that moment comes, you'll know. And if you are ready to take action now, you are welcome to go straight into the Parenting for Independence program where you get access to the full curriculum and eight private coaching sessions.
When can I join First Steps?
We are still very much in the development stage snd assessing the demand for this program. It will open first in its founding member phase, hopefully by August 2026. If you're interested in founding member pricing ($49/month, locked in forever), add your name to the interest list and you'll be among the first to know.
What if I can't make it to the live calls?
For privacy reasons, the support group calls are not recorded, but all of Patty's live trainings are. The recordings are then hosted inside our private platform so you can always watch the replay.
How is First Steps different from Patty's other programs — Parenting for Independence and Allies?
First Steps is for parents who are not ready to dive into the full intensity of the Parenting for Independence curriculum, but want to take their first steps toward building the foundational understanding of their child and the relationship that makes the deeper work and bigger changes possible. Parenting for Independence is for parents who are ready to take action and really dive into helping their autistic emerging adults make progress toward their most self-directed and best lives. You get all seven lessons plus two bonus lessons which comprise the complete Parenting for Independence curriculum plus eight sessions of private coaching with either Patty or one of our team parent coaches. Allies is for parents who have already completed the Parenting for Independence and want to continue working at a more relaxed pace with direct access to Patty and in community with other parents who have all completed the Parenting for Indepence curriculum.
Can I go from First Steps straight into Allies?
No, Allies is reserved only for families who have done the full Parenting for Independence curriculum. You can think of First Steps like high school, Parenting for Independence as undergraduate programming, and Allies is like going to graduate school. If you are super motivated and have the time and inclination, you are welcome to skip First Steps and start with the Parenting for Independence program.
Is there a minimum commitment?
No. First Steps is a month-to-month membership, and you can join and cancel anytime as often as you like.
Can I do private coaching without the curriculum instead?
You always have the option of doing private coaching with one of our team coaches who works with parents of emerging adults. Rates for this are always transparently published on our FAQ page. Private coaching with Patty is reserved only for parents who are doing the Parenting for Independence curriculum with her or are members of the Allies program.
I have another question you haven't covered.
Just contact us through the email form here and ask away!