Community Autism Peer Specialist Program

Peer support is a unique, person-centered approach that can be a valuable addition to other support services. Peer Specialist uses their own lived experience with behavioral and/or developmental health challenges to support other individuals by offering empathy, hope, and strength, as well as practical skills and resources. Our team uses a foundation of trust, mutuality, and respect to work in partnership with their participants to achieve the goals of their choosing. A Community Autism Peer Specialist (CAPS) is an individual on the Autism Spectrum who is trained in peer support through a state-approved program. Our trained CAPS provides support to other individuals on the Autism Spectrum by promoting self-knowledge and self-advocacy, building confidence, and increasing community participation. The CAPS program is designed to fill a much-needed gap in Autism support services. Autism presents unique challenges and opportunities at many critical stages throughout the lifespan, and individuals on the Autism Spectrum often have difficulty accessing services once they have aged out of early-childhood supports.