We're different. At OurTism, our values drive everything we do.

Listen and honor

all individuals and their needs

Create an environment

of collaboration and respect

Create a fun, comfortable

and safe space for all

A place where

everyone's voice is important

And that's why all of our programs are designed or implemented by Autistics.

Who we are

OurTism was founded for Autistics by Autistics. Our mission is to listen, empower, and validate adults, teens, and their families in a safe community where skills and tools are shared to build purposeful, meaningful, and harmonious lives.

This is achieved through a person-centered plan, educational life skills workshops, socialization, and support groups led by Autistics and specialists.

What we do

We call our services the OurTism advantage: A transformative bridge for those on the spectrum and their families. Here at OurTism, we provide the following services:

Autism Coaching
Parent Coaching
Support Groups
Social Groups
Workshops / Seminars
Community-based Programs
Internships
Consultations

Get More Info

Meet our team

Gail Carrier

Co-Founder

Meet Gail Carrier

Gail graduated from University of Southern California with a Bachelor Arts degree in Theatre, not exactly the qualifications you would expect to start a nonprofit supporting those with Asperger’s/autism.

Gail’s true qualifications are being a wife and a mother, with three beautiful daughters, two who happen to have Asperger’s/autism. Her twins, Lillian and Chloe were not diagnosed correctly until they were 16. There were many misdiagnoses and her journey to the Autism party was a crooked one.

Throughout this experience, Gail felt alone and isolated. None of her friends could relate to anything her family was going through. When Lillian and Chloe were finally diagnosed with Asperger’s it was a relief. The girl’s behavior, reactions or non-reactions started to make sense. Then the real work began. There was so much misinformation out there that it took another three and half years to get on a true program of success.

Gail started a blog that grew into what is now OurTism so that parents would have a safe place to discuss their feelings and ideas. It is her hope to help families skip the many mistakes she made and forgive themselves when they don’t.

Gail realized that the insights her daughters were able to articulate were a voice that needed to be shared. Their descriptions and explanations of what they were feeling and needed was the blue print for OurTism. With Lillian and Chloe’s blessing and their assistance she wants to let the world know how amazing people on the spectrum are. Given the right support they will soar.

Envelope

Lillian Carrier

CO-FOUNDER

Meet Lillian

Lillian Carrier is a co-founder of OurTism. She develops and critiques programming for OurTism, is a co-leader of support groups, as well as performs speaking engagements and workshops.

At the age of 16 Lillian was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She transferred between three different colleges that didn’t fit her needs. She has acting experience both on the stage and behind the camera.

Today at 22 years old she is trying to create an individual path for those on the spectrum to find their way.

Envelope

Chloe Estelle

Co-Founder

Meet Chloe Estelle

Chloe Estelle is the founder of OurTism, a writer, blogger, filmmaker, photographer, and Asperger’s specialist. She runs a weekly live stream called Starlight Talks where she discusses various topics related to autism. She is beginning a mentorship program here at OurTism.

Chloe’s struggles growing up were invisible to those around her. She didn’t understand the structure of school or social interactions. She was placed in less rigorous classes. Assessments did not capture her true intellectual abilities. This pattern continued and worsened until her grades started dropping and she struggled until she was finally diagnosed at age 16.

The diagnoses was a relief that there was a reason for so many of life’s struggles. It still took a while to find the right therapies and practices that would allow her to live a healthy life. Taking what she learned, she is now able to share her experience with the world and hopefully end the struggles of those on the on the spectrum earlier in their life.

Envelope

Lillian Carrier

CO-FOUNDER

Meet Lillian Carrier

Lillian Carrier is a co-founder of OurTism. She develops and critiques programming for OurTism, is a co-leader of support groups, as well as performs speaking engagements and workshops. At the age of 16 Lillian was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She transferred between three different colleges that didn’t fit her needs. She has acting experience both on the stage and behind the camera. Today at 22 years old she is trying to create an individual path for those on the spectrum to find their way.

Envelope

Charlie Zuker

Community Outreach Advocate

Meet Charlie Zuker

Charlie is a writer, artist, public speaker, autism specialist and enneagram expert.

Envelope

Annette Lombardi, MSW

Executive Director of Services

Meet Annette Lombardi

Annette received her MSW in 1991 at Hunter College School of Social Work, NY. She was involved at the Young Adult Institute in NYC, which services people with ID/DD for 6 years as a Client Coordinator of an Evening Rec/Social Program as well as working part-time as a Research Assistant. She completed two internships in foster care and medical social work in NYC, then moved to California and begun working at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services in the Adoption program. She then transitioned to the in-patient residential treatment facility on grounds, to work with adolescent girls, until she started her family in 1998.

With the birth of her twins, Annette became a full-time mom and raised three children, one who was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Her experience raising a daughter with an Asperger profile allowed her to become an integral team member at OurTism. She completed a certification program, Life-Map, which focuses on coaching Asperger profile adults. Annette continues exploring new ways to help the client population through research, training, and on-going interaction with the Asperger Community. Annette brings her past clinical experience in social work and motherhood to the new exciting challenges of Life-Map, Support Groups, Workshops, and Training. She looks forward to meeting you and welcoming you into the OurTism family.

Envelope

Meet our partners

We want to thank our donors and community partners for supporting our vision to create a place where Autistic individuals are respected, valued, and thrive.

Join our newsletter

Stay up to date on everything by joining our newsletter.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

recaptcha