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.

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Our mission

After working in the field of autism for twenty years, Dr. Sterling heard again and again from families that they did not have a ‘roadmap’ and felt overwhelmed with finding providers who could coordinate support for their child, teen, or young adult. The mission of The Sterling Institute for Autism is to provide a ‘home base,’ where clients can consult with experts, get diagnostic clarification, and find good treatment options all in one place.
Young boy in therapy session
Pre-teen girl smiling in doctor's office

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

The clinicians at The Sterling Institute for Autism provide several symposiums each year on topics relevant to autism.
Pre-teen girl smiling in doctor's office

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

We are proud to offer comprehensive psychiatry services tailored specifically for neurodivergent children, adolescents, and adults.

Process groups for neurodivergent teens & young adults

We offer virtual process groups for teens and young adults to connect with other neurodivergent individuals and discuss relevant topics in a supportive environment, led by one of our clinical psychologists.

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.

Woman asking doctor questions

Questions?

Learn more about our practice, what kind of conditions we treat, our therapeutic approach, and more.
Woman asking doctor 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.

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.

The Social Survival Guide for Teens with Autism Book

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.