Helping neurodivergent students thrive. Supporting parents and families in their advocacy along the way

My work is characterized by compassion, empathy, collaboration, and a deep respect for neurodiversity. I aim to be straightforward, kind, warm, and supportive.

My Approach: A Neuro-Affirming Synergy

Grounded in a neuro-affirming, anti-masking philosophy, my work honors each individual’s unique communication style while building practical, real-world skills. I tailor every intervention to the client’s individual strengths, helping young people and families find the right path forward together.

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    • Individual Speech & Language Therapy

    • Neuro affirming Social Coaching & Group Navigation (PEERS® / SDI-Informed)

    • Literacy & Reading Intervention (Wilson & REWARDS)

    • Executive Functioning Support

    • Parent Coaching & Family Collaboration

    • Teletherapy & In-Person Sessions

  • Social Development Intervention (SDI) is an evidence-based pedagogical model originating from the NYU Nest Support Project at New York University’s Steinhardt School. Developed specifically to support autistic and neurodivergent individuals, SDI focuses on developing core social-emotional understanding, perspective-taking, self-awareness, and self-advocacy—rather than teaching surface-level social compliance.

  • PEERS® for Young Adults is an evidence-based social skills program for adults who are interested in making and keeping friends and/or developing romantic relationships.

  • My clinical practice is informed by an array of evidence-based, specialized frameworks. I am trained in Social Development Intervention (SDI) through NYU’s Nest Program, the UCLA PEERS® for Young Adults curriculum, Wilson and REWARDS Reading Interventions, and Executive Functioning support.

  • Getting started is simple. Reach out through my contact form or schedule a call—i’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.

  • High schools provide safety nets; college disability offices grant passive accommodations (e.g., extra test time) without direct strategy instruction. Private coaching fills this gap by teaching students how to manage schedules, self-advocate, navigate social dynamics and group work, decode campus culture, and execute accommodations.

  • We view neurodivergence as natural cognitive variation—never teaching masking or scripted roles. Instead, we teach context decoding so students navigate systems authentically on their own terms.

  • Student sessions focus 1:1 on building autonomy, supported by structured parent updates to align on key goals and transition milestones.

Answering Your Questions

The College Gap for Neurodivergent Students

College replaces the safety nets found in high school with immediate, unmanaged independence. Without direct strategy coaching, bright students struggle—not from lack of ability, but from environmental friction, sensory overload, and unaddressed executive demands.

  • ~20% of autistic students complete a 4-year degree in six years (vs. ~59% overall).

  • 50–85% face post-college unemployment or underemployment.

  • 2-Year Gap: Reading comprehension often trails decoding skills by up to two full grade levels in text-heavy higher education.

  • Testimonials

    I have worked with Sari as a parenting coach for more than a year. My 10-year-old son is neurodivergent and has a whole host of challenging behaviors. When first talking to Sari, she immediately understood not only a global picture of my son's complicated emotional and intellectual landscape, she understood viscerally how challenging it has been for me as a parent. Working with Sari has made me a better mom, full stop. I am better able to both understand and enjoy my time with my child, which is nothing short of a miracle! I cannot recommend her more highly! She is a parent whisperer! -Eva Churchill

  • Testimonials

    "Finding the right speech therapist for our daughter was a challenge until a colleague referred us to Sari Siegel. Sari is a gifted professional who excelled at supporting our daughter's mandates and therapeutic goals. More importantly, she made an effort to know and understand our daughter as an individual. Sari went far beyond the requirements of the IEP, often helping her apply her new skills directly to homework assignments, making the learning process more relatable and effective. We recommend her without reservation." -Haizel, New York, NY

  • Testimonials

    "My son was struggling with speech and following cues. I had the pleasure of having Sari Siegel not once, but two separate times during my son's schooling to help him with his speech, and also expressing himself fluently with people to hold conversations.  Now he is all grown up and thankfully, with her training and thorough teaching, he is able to hold up his own” -Miriam, Clearwater, Florida:

  • Testimonials

    My son John had Ms.Siegel for four years as his speech counselor in high school. She taught him how to have a conversation with his peers and engage with them. While at college, John struggled with maintaining his classes, doing homework, and keeping up with his personal well-being. I was desperate for someone to help us. Out of the blue, Ms. Seigel texted me asking, “How was John doing in school?” What teacher does that? A teacher who cares about her students, as Ms. Siegel does! She immediately started sessions with John. She’s helping him with time management, how to write a resume, how to have a conversation with an employer when they call him about a job, and teaching him how to keep track of his daily activities. Since working with Ms.Siegel, John has been doing well! I’m so grateful for Ms. Siegel, she is a God sent angel!" -Nancy, Bronx, NY

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