Autism & Neurodiversity-Affirming Services

Danielle M. Ryer, MSW – Not the Stage “DR.”!

My Professional Journey

I am an autistic woman and Master Social Worker. After an arduous journey filled with both joy and lessons, I obtained two Bachelor’s Degrees – one in Psychology, and one in Philosophy & World Religions from Rowan University, and then finally a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University. I seek to pass on my experiences as an autistic woman to provide a variety of services to the neurodivergent community (autism, ADHD, etc.), parents, family members, and professionals. My goal is to help increase global inclusion and support individuals in promoting their mental health and achieving their life goals, and for parents to feel more confident about their child’s future, to help adults achieve independence, and for families to live together harmoniously.

Helping You Find The Services You Need…
Even If I Can’t Help You

I will initially meet with you for 20-30 minutes to gauge what struggles you may be going through. We will explore and determine what role(s) may be appropriate for the scope of service I can provide. While I cannot personally guarantee that I will be the right fit for you, I am happy to help you find what you are looking for. It is my policy as a professional to refer to another professional, resource, or set of resources that I trust to meet the needs that you have, when available.

Parents deserve help understanding and advocating for their children. Children deserve to be shown the support they deserve. Employers deserve answers on how they can best help their employees. Schools deserve to know how to best help the ‘brainy kid with behavioral struggles.’ I was an autistic child once. I am informed by both research and personal experience – I’ve been there! And I can help you create a personalized, comprehensive plan.

The work we do together will not be therapy. I am a firm believer that therapy is necessary, and is an important complement to the work I do with my clients. I get my own therapy as well so that I can be the best support that I can be for you.

Where Do I Provide Services?

I provide video and phone support worldwide and can provide local support within the tri-state area (particularly NJ, PA, NY) as well as other states, countries, and provinces for additional fees.

My Professional Philosophy

I am trained as both a therapist and a crisis counselor. I recognize therapy is essential, but many people who are seeking therapy aren’t necessarily struggling with mental illness, but rather high needs for systemic support, which should not be pathologized.

Not everyone who struggles is sick. Maybe you’re a parent who is struggling to understand challenging behavior, and it can impact your ability to work. This is a problem that can be directly addressed and potentially problem-solved. But ultimately, I believe that people would be less stressed if they were judged less and heard more.

As a consultant, I give feedback on what certain behaviors communicate, and responses or interventions that can set the person and family up for success. I will share my own experience and translate what behaviors are intended to communicate, and how support systems can intervene effectively and compassionately in situations of emotional crisis, without getting overwhelmed in tandem.

I don’t work to alter safe and healthy coping mechanisms, but rather to explain what type of support is needed in those cases. My goal is to help you or your family member advocate for their rights to exist in this world as-is and follow the trail of acceptance, rather than chiseling yourself to fit a mold.

What Services Do I Provide?

I provide a wide variety of services, anywhere from psychoeducation about autism, to personal assistance, neurodiversity-affirming childcare, family/elder care, staff training, college/academic planning for you or a loved one, assertiveness training, life coaching, dating coaching, and even event hosting; but the capacity of what I can and will do for you is not limited to this list. While I am not a therapist, I have a network of therapists and other community support professionals that I can refer you to if I am unable to meet some or all of your community support needs.

Why the “Dr.”? Are You A Doctor? Why Aren’t You A Therapist?

I am not a doctor of any kind or provide treatment. “D.R.” are my initials, and in addition to the services provided, I am a comedian, and the nickname is also a reference to my YouTube psychoeducation channel. I am not a therapist, because I wanted to provide the services that therapists generally don’t provide and mentor children and families in ways that expand beyond the scope of therapy, by helping build community and create solutions and be a direct part. Therapy is something that encourages people to take a look back into things like family of origin trauma – which is something that helps to be aware of when helping you – but the goal is to help you move forward in spite of the past, and help connect you with a therapist to treat the past struggles while moving you towards where you want to be now.

Our Professional Relationship

Regardless of the nature of my role in supporting you, you can be guaranteed uniform personalness and professionality. If and when desired, I discuss my personal experience as an autistic person and how it compares and contrast to your loved one’s experience, and what you can do for them.

My Personal Story: Growing Up Autistic

I was formally diagnosed back in the 1990’s back when it was still called “Asperger Syndrome.” I have gone through special education most of my life, and I am familiar with the accommodations that I needed in order to be successful in my pre-college education, as well as my undergraduate and professional graduate education, and the support I benefit from during my field placements. Though I believe that most people meant well, I didn’t always get my needs met. As an adult, I know what my needs are, what needs are common among the neurodivergent community, and just as well what individual people need; I have a strong intuition and I know what questions to ask to get to the bottom of presenting problems so that I can provide a solution.

Collaboration Is Key!

I have worked with various institutions including but not limited to Rutgers University, Rowan University, the National Association of Social Workers, and various other institutions to provide advocacy, support, and psychoeducation for the neurodivergent community and those who help them. I have also supported clinicians with their cases, teachers with their students, camps with their campers, school administrators in training their faculty and staff, and more.

Goals of Service

A stronger YOU!
A stronger, mutual understanding between you and others.
Less burnout.
More time for you.
Less bitterness. More motivation.
Better access and communication with other services (schools, therapists, social service agencies).
A better sense of what you want out of life.
Better dates.

Public Speaking

I also provide motivational speaking. Outside of being a comedian, I have been a public speaker for most of my career; from all around South Jersey and the Philadelphia area to all the way in Guangzhou, China. I provide Q&A style, webinars, and staff training.

Understanding what it’s like to be autistic, and how you can be a supportive friend/partner/coworker/family member/teacher/therapist/mentor/advisor
Stress management
Caregiver burnout Q&A
Behavioral consulting
How to handle autism crises
Teacher, administrator, or clinician training
Being assertive
Dating & autism
And more!

Non-Clinical Support Groups

I provide non-clinical, non-psychiatric support groups for individuals and families. Groups populate based on needs, current group cohesion, and overall fit. Common themes in the past include: Self-care, caregiver burnout, building ourselves, and setting children up for success.

Credentials

Master of Social Work (MSW), Rutgers University
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology, Rowan University
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Philosophy & World Religions, Rowan University
I do not have any form of therapeutic or clinical licensure at this time

More Information

I am a neurodiversity-affirming professional. This means I support neurodivergent people and do not expect them to change, but help them adapt as they are.
I believe self-diagnosis is valid.
I am a body-positive professional.
I am a polyamory-affirmative professional: which means I support consensually nonmonogamous individuals and relationships.
I am an LGBTQIA+ affirming professional. My pronouns are she/her, and I am a cisgender woman.

Facebook Page (Detailed Contact Info Here!)
Gmail email: asdquestion

NOTE: Email is the best way to reach me! Send me 2-3 dates and time frames in which I can reach out to you by phone and I will get back to you as soon as I can!

Note: I am an autistic MSW and comedian with the initials “D.R.” I am not a doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc. I do not provide therapy, clinical, counseling, or other healthcare/medical services except where relevantly employed. I deliberately chose not to separate my comedy website from my professional page because my work as a woman who remains in humorous spirits, regardless of how I am feeling, is part of who I am. In reflection of this, my comedy site will not be separated from my community services work.

Nothing on this page or website should otherwise be construed as medical advice or otherwise assumed to constitute a professional, medical, or otherwise therapeutic relationship.

Updated August 18, 2024