She Rocks the Spectrum
A Therapy Center for Autistic Girls & Women
Hello!
I'm Megan Mance, AMFT.
Therapist. Mom. Late-Identified Autistic Woman. Advocate for Authenticity.
For most of my life, I knew I moved through the world differently—I just didn’t have the words for it. I sensed things deeply. I picked up emotional undercurrents no one else seemed to notice. I often felt overwhelmed by socializing, noise, or even small talk. I spent years trying to "figure out" social dynamics that seemed to come naturally to others. I masked constantly—smiling when I didn’t feel safe, staying quiet when I had something to say, and shrinking myself to be more palatable. It wasn’t until adulthood that I took our full battery of autism screeners—and that’s when everything clicked. For the first time, I had a clear reflection of what I had always felt on the inside but never had language for: I’m autistic. Realizing this as an adult was a profound turning point in my life. It helped me connect the dots across decades of experiences, misunderstandings, and quiet struggles that never quite made sense—until they suddenly did. That experience didn’t just impact me personally—it shaped my professional calling.
🧠 Why I Work with Autistic Women
Because I am one. And I know how much we need each other. There is something profoundly healing about being in the presence of someone who gets it. Someone who knows what it’s like to stim in private, to rehearse conversations in your head, to dread phone calls, to melt down in silence. Someone who knows the burn of being called “too much,” “too sensitive,” or “too quiet”—and the exhaustion of constantly shapeshifting just to be accepted. In my practice, I work with autistic women and AFAB individuals who are navigating identity, burnout, masking, motherhood, work-life overwhelm, relationship struggles, trauma, and self-acceptance. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, self-identified, or still figuring it out—you belong here.
🔍 Helping Others Find Clarity Too: Autism & ADHD Assessments
In addition to therapy, I also provide in-depth adult autism and ADHD assessments. This work is incredibly close to my heart because I know the power of a name, a framework, and finally understanding yourself. When someone sits down to explore the possibility of being autistic or having ADHD, it’s not just about checking boxes on a form. It’s about reviewing a life story through a different lens—and sometimes, seeing yourself clearly for the very first time. These assessments are thorough, collaborative, and grounded in compassion. I view them as opportunities to honor the brilliance and challenges of neurodivergent minds—and to offer clients the validation, insight, and tools they’ve often been missing for years. For many women, receiving a formal understanding of their neurotype later in life is both healing and empowering. It helps them release shame, embrace their identity, and move forward with renewed self-compassion. Being part of that journey is one of the greatest privileges of my work.
💡 Autism Is Not a Deficit—It’s a Difference
I reject the medicalized, deficit-focused model of autism. I view autism as a valid, beautiful, and diverse neurotype—one that comes with unique gifts and challenges. My work is centered on unmasking, healing from internalized ableism, and finding your voice in a world that often asks us to dim our light. If you've spent a lifetime pretending to be “normal,” I want to help you come home to yourself.
👩👦 Mom, Partner, and Autistic Woman Living It Daily
I’m the proud mom of five amazing boys—some neurodivergent, all wildly different. Being their mom has taught me how to honor differences, slow down, and communicate in ways that are authentic and respectful of each person’s needs. I'm also in a new, affirming relationship after going through divorce and the process of healing and rebuilding. I’ve walked the path of rediscovering myself in midlife, of trying to parent through burnout, and of trying to balance sensory needs with a demanding world. I live the experience of being autistic—not just in theory, but in the messy, beautiful reality of everyday life. This is what I bring into the therapy room. Lived understanding. Shared language. And deep, radical compassion.
💬 What I Help Autistic Women With:
1) Masking & Unmasking – exploring how, when, and why you’ve learned to hide yourself—and what it looks like to safely peel back those layers 2) Burnout & Sensory Overload – understanding your nervous system and building rhythms of rest, regulation, and recovery 3) Identity Exploration – making sense of your late diagnosis or self-identification and how it weaves into your past, present, and future 4) Relationships & Boundaries – navigating intimacy, communication, and consent with people who may not understand your neurotype 5) Motherhood & Self-Preservation – balancing parenting demands while staying true to your needs and identity 6) Grief & Celebration – honoring what was lost in years of misunderstanding, while embracing the joy of finally being seen Whether we’re talking through a shutdown, celebrating a moment of clarity, or processing a lifetime of “I thought it was just me”—I’m here for it. All of it.
🧘♀️ Mind-Body Tools for Autistic Living
As a Certified Health Coach and a practitioner of yoga and meditation, I incorporate gentle mind-body practices into therapy—not to fix you, but to support you in regulating and reconnecting with your body in a way that feels good for you. We might use movement, breath, or simply mindful awareness to explore what safety feels like in your system. These tools aren’t performative—they’re practical. They’ve helped me through meltdowns, transitions, and sensory overload. I share them not as prescriptions, but as invitations.