AUTISM 1st™

You Are Not Alone

If you are here, you know that the traditional approach to autism is not one-size-fits-all. AUTISM 1stTM offers a different path: one built on structure, collective problem-solving, and practical tools you can begin utilizing today.

Transformations offers resources to support you. You can begin by pre-ordering the guidebook or attending one of our workshops.

BOOKS – Coming Soon

AUTISM 1st™. Guidebook: Publishing Summer 2026
Learn the seven tools that prevent cognitive overload and build stability across all environments. Written for parents and providers, this illustrated guide explains why “trains” need tracks, and gives you the practical strategies to lay them down. Start here if you’re new to AUTISM 1st™.

[Pre-order Guidebook Now]

AUTISM 1st™ Workbook: Publishing Fall 2026

Practice applying the seven tools of AUTISM 1st™ through 20+ real-life scenarios. Each scenario includes worksheets, multiple-choice tool selection, and space to develop your approach. Perfect for families who are participating in workshops or want deeper practice in building the habits that make conduction sustainable.

AUTISM 1st™ Handbook: Publishing Fall 2026

Build the infrastructure that makes conduction possible at scale. This comprehensive guide covers network building, conductor certification, co-conduction models, dome architecture, production programs, and replication strategies. For providers, system-builders, and families ready to create community-level change. Includes the Guidebook and complete Workbook.

WORKSHOPS

Introduction to AUTISM 1st™

Single 2-hour session

Best for: Families new to AUTISM 1st™ who want to understand the approach before committing to the full series.

What you’ll learn:

Why trains need tracks (the neurodevelopmental foundation)
The 5 daily threats and 5 sensory threats your child faces
Overview of the 7 tools of “conduction”
Practice with 2 real-life scenarios

Format: In-person (Louisville) or Zoom
Investment: $100 per family
Includes: Discount code for the AUTISM 1st™ Guidebook

[Register for Introduction Workshop]

Tools Mastery Series

6 sessions over 3 months (every other week)

Best for: Families ready to learn all seven tools deeply and build habits that last.

What you’ll learn:

Session 1: Collective Problem Solving: working as a team
Session 2: Self-Care Schedules: preventing cognitive overload
Session 3: Retreat Space & Anchor: managing sensory overwhelm
Session 4: Energy Log & Behavior Tracking: understanding patterns

Session 5: Disordered Event Log: handling the unexpected
Session 6: Understanding Emotions & Hypervigilance: building your family’s plan

Format: In-person (Louisville) or Zoom
Investment: $800 per family ($700 if paid in full at registration)
Includes:

Workbook with 15+ practice scenarios
Eligibility for Multi-Family Psychoeducation Groups
Access to a private parent support group
Monthly Q&A calls for 6 months after completion

Prerequisite: Completion of Introduction Workshop (or purchase of AUTISM 1st™ Guidebook)

[Register for Tools Mastery Series]

Multi-Family Psychoeducation Groups

Ongoing monthly support

Best for: Families who’ve completed the Tools Mastery Series and want ongoing community support as they integrate the model.

What you’ll experience:

Monthly 2-hour group sessions with other AUTISM 1st™ families
Peer support and shared problem-solving
Advanced scenario practice
Guest speakers (educators, providers, advocates)
Connection with the growing AUTISM 1st™ network
Utilization with Art, and Culinary AUTISM 1st ™curriculum enrichment activities
Updates on Land of Oz development

Format: In-person at Transformations (Louisville)
Investment: $192 per family per session (cancel anytime)

Prerequisite: Completion of Tools Mastery Series (minimum Sessions 1, 2, and 6)

[Apply for Multi-Family Groups]

What Makes These Workshops Different?

Small groups. We keep cohorts small (8-12 families maximum) so everyone has time to share, practice, and ask questions.

Real scenarios. You’ll work through actual situations families face instead of theoretical examples. Many scenarios come from the 15+ years of clinical experience that built this model.

No judgment. Different families will choose different tools for the same situation. There’s no single “right answer,” instead, only what works for your conduction pair.

Community focus. You’re not just learning tools; you’re joining a network of families who understand this journey and can support each other long after workshops end.

Practice-based. Each session includes individual work, small-group discussion, and a facilitated debrief. You’ll leave knowing not just what to do, but how to do it.

Who Should Attend?

Parents and caregivers of children with autism (any age) who are:

Feeling exhausted by constant crisis management
Noticing that traditional approaches aren’t quite fitting
Ready to try something built specifically for neurodivergent brains
Willing to work as a team (conduction pair) with their child
Open to building community with other families

Providers (therapists, teachers, respite workers, medical professionals) who want to:

Integrate AUTISM 1st™ tools into their practice
Better support the families they serve
Learn a neurodevelopmentally-informed approach
Become part of the AUTISM 1st™ network

What Past Participants Say

“For the first time,… “
— Parent of 12-year-old

“I thought I had to do this alone. Finding other families using these tools changed everything.”
— Parent of adult child with autism

“The scenarios helped me see how important my patience and state of mind was when interacting with my child. Once I understood that, everything shifted.”
— Parent of 8-year-old (this is from Janan Sarwar)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a formal diagnosis to attend?
No. If you’re seeking this approach, you’re welcome. Clinical services at Transformations may require a diagnosis for insurance billing, but workshops are psychoeducation and open to all.

What if I can’t afford the full series?
We offer sliding scale rates. Contact us to discuss your situation so we can work with you.

Can I attend if my child is an adult?
Absolutely. AUTISM 1st™ works across the lifespan. We have families with young children, teenagers, and adults.

Will my child attend workshops with me?
No. These are parent/caregiver workshops. You’ll learn the tools, then practice them at home with your child. (The Multi-Family Groups may include sessions where adult children with autism attend separately or alongside parents, depending on the group structure.)

I live outside Louisville. Can I still participate?
Yes. We offer Zoom workshops for families anywhere. In-person workshops are currently only in Louisville, though we hope to expand as the network grows.

What if I miss a session?
We provide recordings for Zoom participants. For in-person workshops, we’ll work with you to catch up.

Is this a replacement for therapy?
No. AUTISM 1st™ is a psychoeducation tool that teaches a system of care. Many families use these tools alongside therapy, medication, or other supports. It’s designed to integrate with (not replace) clinical services.

Ready to Begin?

Step 1: Register for the Introduction Workshop (or pre-order the AUTISM 1stTM Guidebook if you prefer to start by reading)

Step 2: If the approach resonates, join the Tools Mastery Series.

Step 3: Complete the series and become eligible for Multi-Family Groups.

Step 4: Connect with the AUTISM 1st™ network and explore opportunities in the future ecosystem project we are building as it develops.

A Note from the Provider

Over 15 years of providing family-centered therapy, I’ve seen what happens when we keep forcing autistic individuals to live in a neurotypical world. A person with autism is operating like a “train” and requires fixed schedules, tracks, and a conductor to function, whereas the world we live in expects them to behave independently, like cars on an open road. The workshops help you build a functional infrastructure in your home, in your family, and eventually in our community that lets neurodivergent brains thrive.

You don’t have to do this alone.

— Joe Heiderscheit, M.Ed. LPCC, LPAT, RSP