Let’s make your event amazing
I’d love to help your next event be one that your audience will always remember. I’ve spoken professionally for over a decade, and I’m always looking for new opportunities to impact an audience.
On this page, you’ll find detailed information to help you discover if I might be the right fit for your event. You’ll find the topics I cover, as well as a detailed history of my experience (with videos or transcripts if available.)
Qualifications & Experience
- Two-time TEDx speaker (talks have been viewed 700K+ times on YouTube)
- Proudly autistic
- Neurodiversity advocate
- Licensed clinical psychologist
- Author of the Amazon bestselling book Improve Your Social Skills as well as the books Level Up Your Social Life: The Gamer’s Guide to Social Success and Clicking With Clients: Online Marketing for Private Practice Therapists
- Founder of MarketingforTherapists.org and ImproveYourSocialSkills.com
- 10+ years of national speaking experience.
- For a full description of my qualifications, please read my CV
TEDx Speaker
If you want the best sense of what I’m about as a speaker, I encourage you to watch my 2018 TEDx talk “What Being Autistic Taught Me About Being Human” and my 2013 TEDx talk “My Life with Asperger’s.” These talks gives you a great sense of my story and speaking style all at once.
Topics
I enjoy speaking to audiences big and small, and I’m equally comfortable with inspirational keynotes and hands-on workshops. This list is not exhaustive, so if you’d like me to talk about something not listed, just ask!
- Neurodiversity & Autism
- The Loneliness Epidemic
- Friendship & Relationships
- Leadership & Professional Development
- Personal Growth & Life Purpose
Types of Speaking
- Keynotes & inspirational
- CEs and professional trainings
- Online webinars
- Experiential workshops
- Fundraising events
Speaking Availability
I am currently open to new speaking engagements. I’m based in the Austin, Texas area, but I am happy to travel to distant events if you reimburse travel. If you’re interested or if you have questions, just shoot me an email and let me know the details!
Selected Talks
2023
Strength in Neurodiversity
American Psychological Association
Provided an introduction to neurodiversity and explored how applying principles of neurodiversity could make organizations and individuals stronger.
Creating a RingCentral for Everyone & Managing Burnout: Tools to Thrive for Neurodivergent People
Provided training for employees and leadership on how neurodiversity can be a competitive advantage and how to create a workplace that is inclusive for all. Provided a second training on managing and avoiding burnout, with specific applications for neurodivergent employees.
Outside your Comfort Zone & Dating on the Spectrum
Along with Dr. Kyler Shumway, proved opening plenary on breaking free from the comfort zone for neurodiverse people.
Along with Dr. Elizabeth Aslinger, provided psychoeducational workshop on dating strategies for neurodivergent people and relationship tips for neurodiverse partnerships.
2022
How to Get Hired at a Private Practice
American Psychological Association
Along with Dr. Kyler Shumway, provided practical strategies for career development for professionals seeking employment in private practice.
How to Make Friends after Social Distancing & Breaking Free from Loneliness
University of Texas at Austin Employee Assistance Program
As part of UT Austin’s “Strengthening relationship” series, provided two talks focused on psychoeducation and practical strategies on making friends, escaping loneliness, and building community.
2021
You Belong: Lessons From Our Neurodiverse Friendship
Southwest Washington Autism Conference
Along with Dr. Kyler Shumway, provided thoroughly revised and updated presentation containing research insights and practical strategies on topics including loneliness, neurodiversity, and friendship.
How To Lead Without A Title & How To Give a TEDx Talk As a Behavioral Health Professional
Hawaii Behavioral Health and Wellness Convention
Provided co-led keynote talk on leadership as well as solo breakout presentation on TEDx talks for interdisciplinary audience of behavioral health professionals
2020
Supercharge Your Professional Presence
American Psychological Association
I provided three one-hour presentations to mental health professionals on topics including leadership, diversified income streams, and email newsletters.
Finding Your Place Of Belonging
Provided co-led keynote talk on strategies for developing friendships and social skills to an audience of autistic adults and their family members as well as professional providers
2019
Supercharge Your Presence: Writing and Publishing Your First Book
American Psychological Association National Convention
I provided a seminar on how psychologists and psychology students could get started writing and publishing their own book, whether through self-publishing or traditional publishing.
You Belong: Lessons From Our Neurodiverse Friendship
Along with colleague and friend Kyler Shumway, I gave a breakout talk on lessons learned from our personal experience and from our training in clinical psychology about loneliness, friendship, and connection.
Finding Your Place of Belonging & What Being Autistic Taught Me About Being Human
I gave a three-hour breakout on strategies that autistic individuals could use for building genuine friendships, strengthening social skills, and finding a place of belonging.
I also provided a main-stage performance of my TEDx talk from TEDxBend 2018.
Supercharge Your Online Professional Practice
American Psychological Association
Provided four training webinars for an audience of psychologists and graduate students on establishing a professional presence. Topics included public speaking, writing a self-published book, and CV improvement.
The Portfolio Approach To Online Marketing For Therapists
Goodtherapy.org Continuing Education
Provided a one-hour training webinar to audience of mental health professionals on effective strategies for marketing a private practice.
Finding Your Place of Belonging & You Belong: Lessons From Our Neurodiverse Friendship
Southern Maine Autism Conference
I gave a one-hour breakout on strategies that autistic individuals could use for building genuine friendships, strengthening social skills, and finding a place of belonging.
Additionally, along with colleague and friend Kyler Shumway, I gave a main stage talk on lessons learned from our personal experience and from our training in clinical psychology about loneliness, friendship, and connection.
You Belong: Lessons From Our Neurodiverse Friendship & What Being Autistic Taught Me About Being Human
Matthew Reardon Center for Autism Conference
Along with colleague and friend Kyler Shumway, I presented on lessons learned from our personal experience and from our training in clinical psychology about loneliness, friendship, and connection.
I also provided a main-stage performance of my TEDx talk from TEDxBend 2018.
2018
You Belong: For Teens & You Belong: Lessons From Our Neurodiverse Friendship
Along with colleague and friend Kyler Shumway, I led a two-day experiential workshop that provided teens and young adults on the autistic spectrum with the opportunity to experience belonging, engage in process groups, and learn practical skills for social interaction and friendship formation. We also did a main-stage talk about lessons learned from our personal experience and from our training in clinical psychology about loneliness, friendship, and connection.
You Belong: For Teens & You Belong: Lessons From Our Neurodiverse Friendship
Along with colleague and friend Kyler Shumway, I led a two-day experiential workshop that provided teens and young adults on the autistic spectrum with the opportunity to experience belonging, engage in process groups, and learn practical skills for social interaction and friendship formation. We also did a main-stage talk about lessons learned from our personal experience and from our training in clinical psychology about loneliness, friendship, and connection.
Supercharge Your Online Professional Practice
American Psychological Association
Provided four training webinars for an audience of psychologists and graduate students on establishing an online professional presence. Topics included LinkedIn, search engines, websites, and online marketing.
What Being Autistic Taught Me About Being Human
Spoke about my experiences of being autistic, and what we could learn from that about our universal human experience.
Finding Your Place of Belonging
Matthew Reardon Center for Autism Conference
I discussed strategies for how people on the autism spectrum can find and choose communities where they welcomed and feel a sense of belonging.
2017
“You Belong” for Autistic Teens & Young Adults
Along with colleague and friend Kyler Shumway, I led a two-day experiential workshop that provided teens and young adults on the autistic spectrum with the opportunity to experience belonging, engage in process groups, and learn practical skills for social interaction and friendship formation.
The Science of Satisfying Relationships
Sanctuary Churches Conference
Drawing on scientific insights from attachment theory and the work of Dr. John Gottman, I explained practical, research-based techniques for making interpersonal relationships more satisfying and successful. I also facilitated a discussion group at the conclusion of the conference.
Multiple Workshops and Talks
Matthew Reardon Center for Autism Conference
I taught a workshop on social skills development, a workshop on healthy dating strategies for young adults on the autistic spectrum, a class on how improv theater could help with social skills development, and gave my “Autism and the Power of Friendship” talk. Whew!
2016
Autism And The Power of Friendship
I told the story of how my friends helped me change from a young boy who believed that he was bad to a young man who believed that he was loved, and encouraged listeners to unlock the power of friendship in their own lives.
Motivating Social Success for Autistic Residents
Provided a one-hour staff training at an assisted living facility for residents with developmental disabilities.
Marketing Your Practice Online
Led a one-hour live training webinar on online marketing strategies for private practice therapists.
Sanctuary Churches
Sanctuary Churches Conference
Co-led a three- hour workshop for church leaders on strategies to help their churches be more welcoming and supportive to congregants, especially those with mental health issues. Topics covered included supportive listening skills, suicide prevention, and knowing when to refer a congregant to mental health services.
The Secret of Small Talk
Led a one-hour live training webinar on small talk strategies for advertising executives.
- Video (bad audio, sorry!)
Social Skills Strategies for Teens & Young Adults
Matthew Reardon Center For Autism Conference
Led a three-hour workshop on social skills development for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Audience included educators, mental health professionals, parents, and autistic individuals. Also participated in a panel on successful life after high school for autistic individuals.
2014
Sharing Your True Abilities
Providence Place Center for Higher Independence
Delivered the graduation speech for a class of young adults with disabilities.
2013
My Life with Asperger’s
TEDxUniversityofArizona
Spoke about the insights I have gleaned during my life with Asperger’s.
2011
To Live an Epic
Toastmasters Competition
Inspirational speech entered in a local Toastmasters competition.
2010
Monroe Scholar Banquet Speech
Spoke about the lessons I had learned during my time at Westmont College.
