Dr. Gracie Reyes-McDonald, Director

I am the director of the Grace Autism & Neurodiversity Center. I had about 20 years of experience working with autistic individuals by the time that I discovered that I myself am autistic. I was a quiet and awkward student, but I was also a gifted learner whose safe place was school. My rigid thinking and social issues were attributed to my giftedness; therefore, the significant anxiety symptoms that I exhibited were never addressed. If this story sounds familiar to you, you are in the right place. 

I believe in the neurodiversity affirming approach, which is founded in the belief that differences in how we think, feel, behave, and relate to others are what make each person unique and that every person is equally worthy and valuable. Affirming their unique experience, confirming to them that they have a lot to contribute to society, welcoming their different points of view, are all crucial for autistic and ADHDer individuals, i.e., neurodivergent individuals, so that they can find their path in life. We do not believe in "fixing" them, but hope to partner with them on their journey of self-discovery.

The purpose of the Grace Autism & Neurodiversity Center is to assist on/above-grade-level and highly verbal autistic and ADHDer individuals in understanding themselves better and in living fulfilling lives built on self-acceptance and self-advocacy. We offer a variety of services for neurodivergent individuals and their families to assist in this goal. We are building a community hub where quirky and smart is cool!