“Sometimes, the things we can’t change end up changing us.”

 

For Dr. Stephanie Holmes, this quote rings true in the deepest way. When her daughter was diagnosed with autism, it didn’t just change her as a mother—it reshaped her entire career and purpose. Stephanie had spent years as a licensed professional counselor (LPC), but nothing prepared her for the uphill battle of navigating the complex world of autism, especially in a time when resources were scarce. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, she leaned into the challenge, becoming a lifeline not only for her family but for countless others. This personal journey gave birth to Autism Spectrum Resources for Marriage & Family, LLC, where she now empowers neurodiverse families with the support she once sought for her own.

 

A Shift in Purpose

“At first, I thought I was supposed to be a lawyer, advocating for justice in the courtroom,” Dr. Holmes recalls with a laugh. But as life unfolded, it became clear that her true calling lay elsewhere—advocating in a much more personal way. When her daughter was diagnosed with autism, Stephanie realized that traditional routes of support simply weren’t enough. She saw families like hers struggling to find answers, help, and community. That’s when she knew she had to shift her focus.

 

With her background in counseling, she began working with neurodiverse families, but quickly noticed a gap. “What works for typical families doesn’t always work for neurodiverse ones,” she explains. This revelation led her to rethink traditional counseling approaches, moving from therapy to a coaching model that better serves the unique dynamics of neurodiverse marriages and families. The change wasn’t just for her own family—it became a lifeline for others as well, one that continues to grow through her company.

 

Building a Support System

Stephanie knew she wasn’t alone in facing these challenges. “One in 36 children are diagnosed with autism today, yet there’s still so little support for families and marriages dealing with neurodivergence,” she says. Her company, Autism Spectrum Resources for Marriage & Family, LLC, was created with this gap in mind. Through coaching, training, and educational content, Stephanie provides a foundation for families who often feel lost in a system that doesn’t fully understand their needs.

 

The heart of her approach lies in fostering understanding—not just within the family but also within the wider community, including faith-based groups. Many of her clients are part of religious communities that don’t always know how to support families with special needs. “It’s not about fixing anyone,” Stephanie emphasizes, “it’s about helping people find their strengths and navigate their relationships in a way that works for them.”

 

 

From Therapy to Coaching

For Dr. Holmes, traditional marriage therapy simply didn’t cut it for neurodiverse couples. “Typical marriage counseling often focuses on keeping the couple together in every session at any cost,” she explains, “but for neurodiverse marriages, that approach can sometimes do more harm than good.” Through her work, she found that classic therapy models didn’t address the unique needs of these couples, so she adopted a coaching approach instead. By focusing on realistic expectations and helping partners understand each other’s perspectives, Stephanie’s model allows couples to build a healthier foundation based on who they truly are.

 

This unique shift has become a defining feature of Autism Spectrum Resources for Marriage & Family, LLC. Stephanie has even developed a curriculum that trains other professionals—counselors, clergy, and coaches—on the specific challenges faced by neurodiverse couples. Her goal is to encourage a model that supports couples as they are, rather than trying to make them fit a “one-size-fits-all” mold.

 

Educating Faith Communities

“Faith communities can be a great source of support, but only if they understand what neurodiverse families are dealing with,” Stephanie shares. Her work has made it a priority to reach out to churches and other religious groups, opening up conversations about autism and ADHD, especially within family life. Many families Stephanie coaches have felt isolated within their faith communities, often met with misunderstanding or even stigma.

 

That’s where Autism Spectrum Resources for Marriage & Family, LLC steps in. It’s become a bridge between neurodiverse families and faith communities, offering workshops and resources that help bring understanding and compassion. “My hope is to build more inclusive environments,” she explains, “where neurodiverse families feel understood and valued, rather than isolated.” For Stephanie, real support goes beyond just the family—it extends to the communities around them, making everyone feel they belong.

 

Creating Accessible Resources for Families

Stephanie’s commitment to helping neurodiverse families goes well beyond just coaching. “Information is only useful if it’s accessible,” she says simply. That belief is what led her to create free resources—podcasts, YouTube videos, blogs, and social media content—that offer real advice for families learning to navigate neurodiverse relationships. Every week, Stephanie and her husband share their own stories on these platforms, talking about the everyday ups and downs of life as a neurodiverse couple. The idea is simple: make tough topics a bit easier to understand and give families tools they can use without feeling overwhelmed.

 

But the support doesn’t end there. Autism Spectrum Resources for Marriage & Family, LLC also offers affordable group coaching and one-on-one sessions designed specifically for neurodiverse couples and families. Through these sessions, Stephanie meets families at every stage, giving them the guidance and encouragement they need, no matter where they’re starting from.

 

Pursuing Research and Education

Supporting families directly is a huge part of Stephanie’s work, but she’s also committed to deepening the understanding of autism in the larger world. “Research keeps us moving forward,” she says, “it’s how we make sure what we’re doing is helpful.” Her dedication has led to articles in well-regarded journals and several new projects that keep the conversation around autism going. Her next book, Uniquely Us: Gracefully Navigating the Maze of NeuroDiverse Marriage, brings together insights from both neurotypical and neurodivergent perspectives and includes contributions from autism expert Dr. Tony Attwood.

 

These academic projects help Autism Spectrum Resources stay updated and keep families, educators, and mental health professionals informed with ideas that actually make a difference. For Stephanie, research isn’t just about information; it’s about making sure families get support that truly helps.

 

A Vision for Long-Term Impact

As Autism Spectrum Resources for Marriage & Family, LLC keeps growing, Stephanie looks toward the future. “I want the next generation of coaches, counselors, and clergy to have what they need to support neurodiverse families,” she says. Over the next few years, she hopes to expand her training programs to bring more people into this field. Her goal is to create a network of experts who can give neurodiverse families the support they need and deserve, reducing the isolation many feel.

 

Stephanie’s vision is to see Autism Spectrum Resources become a leader in education and training, always evolving to meet families’ needs. By keeping resources up-to-date, she’s building a legacy that will keep supporting neurodiverse families for years to come.

 

Inspiration and Legacy

For Stephanie, her work is inspired by her family and the trailblazers who came before her. “Dr. Tony Attwood’s research changed everything for me,” she says. His work inspired her to create resources that capture the complexities of autism and neurodiversity. Her own family serves as a constant reminder of the importance of this work; with her neurodivergent husband and daughters, she experiences firsthand both the challenges and joys of a neurodiverse household. This only strengthens her commitment to helping others.

 

As Autism Spectrum Resources for Marriage & Family, LLC continues its journey, Stephanie hopes to inspire more people to become advocates, educators, and allies for neurodiverse families. “If I can help even one family feel seen and supported,” she reflects, “then I’ve done my job.” Her story isn’t just about building a company; it’s about creating a community where every unique individual and family finds a place of belonging and acceptance.

 

 

Quotes:

 

“Typical marriage counseling often focuses on keeping the couple together in every session, but in neurodiverse marriages, that can sometimes do more harm than good.”

 

“Faith communities can be a great source of support, but only if they understand what neurodiverse families are dealing with.”

 

“Information is only useful if it’s accessible, and that’s why we share our journey openly with others.”

 

“The research is what keeps us moving forward. It’s how we ensure our approaches stay relevant and effective.”