General resources
CBM Psychological and Counseling Services
Resources for Autistic Tweens/Teens and their Parents
Adolescence can bring new challenges for autistic youth and their families. Emotional regulation, anxiety, school stress, masking, burnout, identity development, social struggles, and increasing independence can all become more prominent during the teen years.
The following resources may be helpful for parents and caregivers looking for support, education, and community.
Ontario & Canadian Support Organizations
Autism Ontario
Offers parent workshops, support groups, webinars, transition planning resources, and information related to autistic youth and teens across Ontario.
Geneva Centre for Autism
Provides education, caregiver support, social communication programs, emotional regulation resources, and transition-to-adulthood services.
Kerry’s Place Autism Services
Offers family support, parent coaching, behaviour consultation, and services for autistic youth and adolescents throughout Ontario.
AIDE Canada
A free Canadian resource hub offering evidence-informed articles, toolkits, and videos related to autism, mental health, school supports, and family wellbeing.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Resources
NeuroClastic
Articles written largely by autistic individuals, offering insight into masking, sensory overwhelm, autistic burnout, shutdowns, meltdowns, and emotional wellbeing.
The Autism Level UP! Project
Practical tools and strategies to support emotional regulation, communication, and self-understanding for autistic youth and teens.
Recommended Reading
Uniquely Human
A compassionate, relationship-based perspective on understanding autism.
The Explosive Child
Helpful for understanding emotional regulation, lagging skills, and collaborative problem-solving.
Low-Demand Parenting
A neurodiversity-affirming approach for supporting overwhelmed and burnout-prone children and teens.
Is This Autism?
Particularly helpful for understanding more subtle or masked presentations of autism.
The Autism-Friendly Guide to Periods
A supportive and accessible guide for autistic youth navigating puberty and menstruation.
Something to Consider...
Many autistic tweens and teens experience increased stress and emotional exhaustion during adolescence, particularly after years of masking or trying to meet expectations that may not fit their nervous system or needs. What may look like “defiance,” withdrawal, irritability, or lack of motivation is often a sign of overwhelm, burnout, anxiety, or unmet support needs.
Parents do not have to navigate this stage alone, and seeking support can make a meaningful difference for both youth and caregivers.