top of page
Photo of Cady Stanton

Cady Stanton, M.S., Autism & ADHD Specialist & Trainer

Cady Stanton knows what it feels like to move through a world that wasn't built for the way your mind works. She's autistic. So are many of the people she loves most.

For over twenty years, Cady has shown up for people that other systems gave up on. Not just as a specialist — as someone who actually stays.

 

Who believes in you through the hard seasons. Who helps you understand yourself, trust your own instincts, and move forward knowing you have something real to offer the world.​

 

She believes that growth doesn't always happen in an office, and she's willing to meet people where real life is.

 

She walks alongside you as you learn to understand yourself, make decisions that serve you, and be proud of who you are.

 

She believes in you until you can believe in yourself.​She builds community for people who have never felt like they belonged anywhere. And she has been doing it for most of her adult life.

"We have learned throughout our lives that we are supposed to get up every day and pretend to not be autistic. As a community, we are really working to create safe spaces for us to unmask — because that creates so much harm to us as individuals."

What she does.

Cady works with autistic individuals, people with ADHD, and their families — in one-on-one sessions, groups, and through intensive support. She supports people through the transition to adulthood, she helps parents turn their love into effective support, and she helps neurodivergent adults who are striving to build a life that truly works for them.

 

She also trains the professionals and organizations meant to serve neurodivergent communities, because change has to happen at the systems level too.

Her background is research first.

​​​​At the University of Washington’s Value Sensitive Design Lab, Cady led a study on the role of technology in social interaction for autistic children. She served as the primary investigator and lead author.​

 

That research was awarded the Guthrie Prize in Psychology and was featured in the book Technological Nature. 

 

​​Her graduate work at Pennsylvania State University focused on executive function and academic outcomes — the same challenges her clients navigate every day. Her later work on the research team at the University of Washington’s CREATIV Lab extended her interest in executive function to understanding its role in older adults with depression.

​

She also conducted assessments for autism and ADHD at the MIND Institute at UC Davis. It is one of the country's leading research centers for autism and ADHD.

​​

She shows up for those others overlook.

​Cady has spent her career working with communities that are often misunderstood or overlooked by the systems meant to serve them.​

 

She was among the first responders supporting Hurricane Katrina survivors.

 

She served as a case manager for refugee and immigrant families in transitional housing. 

 

She has worked with youth in the foster care system,and later became a foster and adoptive parent herself.​

 

She also founded the Autistic Resilience Network, a nonprofit that provides direct financial support to autistic individuals in need — from emergency assistance to longer-term support that makes a meaningful difference in people's lives.

Clients describe working with Cady as life-changing.

What people say.

Facilitate Joy is just simply AMAZING. Their entire staff is very kind, patient, and caring. The groups are very informative and provides parents with great tools to help their child.

 

Cady is extremely kind, patient, knowledgeable and does phenomenal work. They help parents through their struggles and provide effective tools to help everyone be successful in all avenues of life. 

Debbie

Working with Cady was a truly life altering experience...I now know how to set boundaries, organize my time, channel my passions more meaningfully, create support systems and guardrails for myself, and -- most of all -- I no longer see my neurodivergence as a personal failure.

 

I now see it as a strength and something to love and embrace about myself.

Liz

I looked for help for years and Cady is the best resource I've found.

She has clear methods backed by research studies. She is well connected to great resources.

She is a very kind and tactful professional, who can empathize with people of all backgrounds. I really cannot say enough great things about her service.

Amanda

She trains the people who work with your community.

In 2025, Cady led the development and delivery of a training program for 1,200 staff at the Nevada Division of Social Services. That training helped government workers to actually understand the people they serve. It taught staff to recognize neurodevelopmental conditions, navigate behavioral and communication differences, respond during shutdowns and meltdowns, and understand their legal obligations.

​

She has also trained Reno Police Department cadets and veterans on interacting with autistic community members. Her workshop clients include the California Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Nevada Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, City of Reno, Washoe County, and others.

​

Her training work extends well beyond Nevada. She has worked with faculty and administration at Bryn Mawr College. She has also trained therapists through the Nevada Coalition for Systemic Counseling and therapy groups including The Resurface Group in California.

Accomplishments & Credentials

Training contract, Nevada Division of Social Services — 1,200 staff trained (2025)

 

Guthrie Prize in Psychology, University of Washington

 

Founder, Autistic Resilience Network

 

Early Start Study Manager, MIND Institute at UC Davis

 

Primary Investigator, University of Washington — featured in Technological Nature

 

Graduate education, Pennsylvania State University — executive function in academic outcomes

bottom of page