Neurodiversity-Affirming Services

At the Institute for Girls’ Development, we offer a range of services for individuals navigating developmental differences such as autism and ADHD. Whether you are a parent seeking support for your child, a teen exploring your identity, or an adult working to understand your experiences more deeply, our team is here to help.

We believe neurodivergent individuals deserve care that is affirming, respectful, and responsive to their unique experiences. Our approach is not about changing who someone is; it is about helping individuals and families thrive through meaningful support, community, and a celebration of neurodiversity.

Our developmental services are open to children, adolescents, and adults. We specialize in working with girls and women and are experienced in supporting:

• Autistic individuals across the lifespan
• People with ADHD and related executive functioning differences
• Neurodivergent individuals navigating anxiety, identity, or burnout
• Parents of neurodivergent children seeking insight, support, and guidance
• Girls and women with internalized traits who may have been misunderstood or misdiagnosed

For adult women in particular, we offer support for autistic burnout — the emotional, cognitive, and physical exhaustion that can result from years of masking, navigating neurotypical expectations, and coping without adequate support.

We offer a comprehensive range of developmental services, tailored to each individual’s needs and preferences. These include:

Developmental Assessments
We conduct full psychological evaluations for children, teens, and adults. These assessments explore social-emotional development, cognitive strengths and challenges, autism characteristics, and learning differences. Assessments are conducted by licensed psychologists Dr. Grace Goodman and Dr. Ashlee Reid, and they include written reports, child-friendly diagnosis booklets, and recommendations that can be shared with schools and care teams or used for personal insight.

Therapy and Support Services
Our therapy services are developmentally informed and neurodiversity affirming. We offer:

• Individual therapy for children, teens, and adults
• Parent-child and family therapy to support connection, communication, and co-regulation
• Parent consultation to support understanding, advocacy, and practical strategies
• Group therapy including our teen and young adult groups, Teen Connections and Launching Connections

We work collaboratively with schools, pediatricians, regional centers, and other providers as needed.

We approach developmental work from a place of respect and celebration. Our philosophy is grounded in:

• Neurodiversity-affirming practice
• Developmentally appropriate care
• Attachment and relationship-based frameworks
• Trauma-informed support
• Interpersonal neurobiology and identity development

We do not view autism or ADHD as disorders to be fixed. Instead, we recognize that many of the mental health challenges neurodivergent individuals face (including anxiety, depression, or burnout) stem from trying to function in a world not built for them. We provide space to explore identity, build self-understanding, and develop strategies that honor each person’s needs, values, and goals.

At the Institute for Girls’ Development, we bring deep expertise and heartfelt commitment to neurodivergent individuals and their families. What makes our developmental services different is our:

• Specialization in working with girls and women
• Integration of assessment, therapy, and community-based support
• Focus on autistic burnout and masking in teen girls and adult women
• Respect for each individual’s goals, communication style, and sensory needs
• Emphasis on collaboration, advocacy, and self-acceptance

We believe every individual deserves to be seen and supported for who they truly are. Rather than seeking to change individuals to fit external expectations, we focus on understanding each person’s unique experiences and helping them move forward in ways that feel meaningful, authentic, and empowering

To learn more or to schedule services, contact our caring Client Relations team at Intake@IFGD.care or 626-585-8075 ext. 108.  We look forward to connecting with you!