Your home base for autism support
The Sterling Institute for Autism is a private group practice dedicated to providing collaborative, evidence-based treatment and assessment for autistic children, teens, and adults.
Our mission
Community talks
Dr. Sterling has given lectures and presentations on a variety of topics on autism, including neurodiversity in the workplace, depression and anxiety among autistic individuals, the transition from adolescence to adulthood for autistic individuals, romantic relationships and autism, and social skills for autistic teens and adults.
SIA symposiums
Our services
Diagnostic assessments for autism & other concerns
While we focus on older children, teens, and adults, our team is trained to work with individuals across the lifespan. This includes early detection in toddlers along the continuum to adulthood.
Individual therapy
We offer individual therapy to children 7 years old and up, adolescents, and adults of all ages, as well as their parents, their partners, their siblings and their children.
Psychiatric evaluation & medication management
Process groups for neurodivergent teens & young adults
Parenting & family support
Research has shown that parenting an autistic child (or teen) can be more stressful than parenting children with other types of challenges. We provide parent and family support, whether it’s for short-term consultations or ongoing therapy.
Consultations
Sometimes, we know we want some guidance but we don’t know where to begin. We just want to “pick the brain” of an expert. We provide consultation (usually 1-3 sessions) to target short-term issues.
Questions?
Presentations, publications & media
Browse Dr. Sterling’s selected publications, presentations, books, and podcast appearances. For more details about her experience, please see her CV.
Validity of the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale for youth with autism spectrum disorders
High rates of anxiety and depression are reported among youth with autism spectrum disorders. These conditions are generally assessed using measures validated for typically developing youth. Few studies have investigated their validity for autism spectrum disorders,...
Daily living skills in school-age children with and without anxiety disorders
Anxiety may interfere with school-age children’s independent behaviour and hence, their daily living skills (DLS). Nonetheless, this has not been tested in previous studies of children with clinical anxiety. [button...
Evidence for Latent Classes of IQ In Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism is currently viewed as a spectrum condition including strikingly different severity levels. IQ is consistently described as one of the primary aspects of the heterogeneity in autism. To investigate the possibility of more than one distinct subtype of autism...
Meet our team
The Sterling Institute for Autism is made of a group of psychologists and clinicians who have specific training and expertise in autism and neurodiversity. We have backgrounds in academia, directing University autism centers and publishing in our field, driven by a common goal to serve our clients directly through clinical work. As a team of clinicians, we have the benefit of collaborating and consulting with each other, drawing on each clinician’s expertise to deliver the best possible care to the families we serve. We value personal connection and meeting each client’s unique needs, whether that be through assessment or therapy.
Available now
The Social Survival Guide for Teens on the Autism Spectrum, by Dr. Sterling
Social situations can feel mysterious or tricky to navigate―and if you are on the autism spectrum, they can feel overwhelming. The Social Survival Guide for Teens on the Autism Spectrum unlocks socialization secrets and helps you understand your feelings. Autism books for kids don’t always address teenagers’ needs, but the practical tips and step-by-step guides in this handbook are perfect for ages 12-16.