SPACE to Grow is grounded in evidence-based approaches, with a core foundation in the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) model developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz at the Yale Child Study Center.

This program is an independent adaptation of these principles, tailored specifically for autistic teens and young adults.

SPACE is a parent-based treatment that focuses on shifting how parents respond to anxiety — particularly by gradually reducing accommodations while strengthening supportive, confident communication.

A central part of this approach is focusing on what you can control.

Rather than trying to change your child directly, you learn how to shift your own responses in a clear, structured way — creating the conditions for growth, skill-building, and increased independence over time.

SPACE to Grow is not a standard application of the SPACE model.

It has been specifically adapted to support autistic teens and young adults — particularly those navigating anxiety, executive functioning challenges, burnout, and demand avoidance.

This includes a focus on:

• Capacity and nervous system states

• Executive functioning and daily life skills

• Sensory needs and regulation

• Providing alternative scaffolds as support shifts

The goal is not to remove support — but to evolve it in a way that supports growth.

This work respects your child’s neurotype and way of experiencing the world.

Growth is not defined by becoming more typical — but by building a life that is sustainable, meaningful, and aligned with your child’s strengths and needs.

For more information on the original SPACE treatment, please visit spacetreatment.net.