FAQs

1. What’s with all the penguins?!
   When one thinks of a bird one usually imagines some creature with feathers that flies. However, one of the most popular birds (if not the most popular!) is the penguin, the only bird that cannot fly, but can swim. We at Waddle are all neurodiverse and proudly embrace our identity as penguins because we know that we are “different, not less” as Temple Grandin famously said. People on the autism spectrum also “pebble”, which is when they offer small tokens or gifts to others, even offering bits of information on a topic of special interest, in an effort to show affection and forge connections, much like penguins share pebbles.
   

2. Okay, that makes sense but…“waddle”?
   A waddle is not only the way that penguins walk (as do some neurodivergent people, to be honest, but that has to do with hypermobility which we can address later!) but is also the term for a group or colony of penguins. We at Waddle understand the power of a community that embraces and celebrates neurodiversity, wherein parents and caretakers share experiences, gain insights, and support each other on this journey.
   

3. Am I giving my money to a “waddle” of penguins?
   Metaphorical penguins but not literal ones. We pride ourselves on being the only neurodivergent support program in the world that a psychologist, psychiatrist, and a teacher created. Most importantly, all of the program’s creators are mothers of autistic children, bringing a unique blend of personal experience and expertise to our program. We are proud to include an autistic co-CEO and an AuDHD Board-Certified Pediatrician as our Chief Medical Officer. Being neurodiverse ourselves, we understand the barriers our community faces. We are incredibly committed to empowering our fellow penguins and their families to not only overcome these challenges, but to learn how to thrive together.
   

4. I’d like to join the 12-week course (waddle) you’re offering; what does it include?
   Our 12-week course is a comprehensive program designed to support you in every aspect of parenting your autistic child. Topics include communication strategies (for both speaking and non-verbal children), speech therapy, occupational and physical therapy, IEP consultation, safety and elopement planning, sensory management, stimming, co-occurring conditions/comorbidities, and mental health support for parents.
   

5. Are the waddles suitable for both verbal and non-verbal penguins?
   Yes! We provide in-depth guidance on supporting communication development for both verbal and non-verbal children, using evidence-based approaches and tools used in speech and language therapy.
   

6. Do you cover IEPs and how to navigate the education system?
   Yes. We provide expert-led guidance on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), including: how to prepare for meetings, advocate for appropriate accommodations, and understand your child’s educational rights.
   

7. What kind of therapy guidance do the waddles include?
   The course covers foundational principles of speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, helping you understand what to expect, how to reinforce skills at home, along with how to work effectively with professionals.
   

8. Will the waddle help with managing sensory issues and stimming?
   Yes. We explain sensory processing differences in autism (and other forms of neurodivergence) and provide practical strategies for managing sensory challenges, understanding stimming, and creating a supportive environment that respects your child’s needs.
   

9. Do you talk about co-occurring conditions/comorbidities like anxiety or ADHD?
   Yes, we explore additional forms of neurodivergence and common co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and sensory processing disorder, including signs to look for and ways to support your child. In time, we will develop expanded educational content to include commonly co-occurring medical conditions such as symptomatic hypermobility (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome/Hypermobile Spectrum Disorder), GI issues, POTS/dysautonomia, MCAS, allergies, autoimmune disorders, upper cervical instability, and more.
   

10. Is this course relevant for girl and boy penguins?
    Definitely! We highlight the differences in how autism may present in girls, which is often under-recognized or misdiagnosed. Our content is inclusive of all gender expressions and presentations; we are a queer-friendly, gender-affirming company.
    

11. Do you offer support for parents’ mental health?
    Yes! We know that parenting an autistic child can be deeply rewarding but also challenging. We dedicate time to your well-being, offering tools and guidance for managing stress, preventing burnout and building a strong support system.
    

12. How does Waddle deliver the… waddles?
    The 12-week course is online, making it accessible from anywhere. Content will be in live weekly modules with videos, downloadable resources, and in-depth discussions with 9 other families.
    

13. For whom exactly is this course?
    This course is for parents, caregivers, and guardians of autistic children, especially those who experience meltdowns, aggressive behavior, anxiety, and/or school refusal. It’s suitable for parents of both diagnosed and self-identified autistic children, ages 2 to 18.
    

14. Does the course include any content on safeguarding or personal safety?
    Yes. We offer a special additional lesson tailored for older children as part of the program but essential for parents of younger children too. This session covers critical topics such as abuse, trafficking, cuckooing, modern slavery, and bullying. The purpose is to help parents and caregivers understand how predators (including pedophiles) target vulnerable individuals, especially neurodivergent children.
    
    A member of The Salvation Army’s Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Unit wrote this unit, ensuring it is both trauma-informed and rooted in frontline expertise. It’s important to note that 80–90% of victims in these situations are neurodivergent, making early education and awareness absolutely vital.
    

15. What age range does the waddle cover?
    The course supports families with autistic children aged 2 to 18. Each module is flexible and includes age-appropriate strategies so you can tailor the content to meet your child’s developmental stage and individual needs, whether they are in early childhood, school-aged or entering adolescence.
    

16. Does Waddle use ABA? How are waddles different from other available courses?
    Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is widely popular but it originated as a form of conversion therapy and has included harmful practices, such as the use of electric shocks and the suppression of natural behaviors like stimming. The intent of ABA was of course well-meaning, but as autistic children who experienced ABA have grown up, we’ve learned that this method doesn’t really help the autistic person; it simply makes their behavior more socially acceptable. ABA conditions autistic people to suppress “disruptive” or “annoying-to-others” behaviors like stimming— behaviors that are natural and necessary for emotional regulation. Suppressing this physical release of energy creates an intense amount of internal stress and anxiety, so much so that many autistic adults who had ABA in childhood are now coping with PTSD.

    
    Most parenting courses are based on neurotypical behavior and outdated discipline models. Our approach is fundamentally different because it is:
    • Designed by psychologists and neurodivergent parents
    • Trauma-informed
    • Evidence-based
    • Inclusive of non-speaking, PDA (pathological demand avoidance), and high-support needs children

    
    Waddle created this course in trauma-informed, ethical, and child-centered therapy, developed by professionals across multiple disciplines. We focus on building connection, supporting communication, and respecting neurodivergent identity, not changing who your child is. We celebrate the penguin, not try to force it into being another bird.
    

17. Who created this course?
    This is the only autism course in the world developed by such a diverse and expert team. Every lesson draws on professional expertise and lived experience to give families the highest standard of support. The following experts collaborated in creating this robust course:

    • Board-certified pediatrician
    • Psychologists and Psychiatrists
    • Speech and Language Therapists
    • Occupational and Physical Therapists
    • Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teachers
    • IEP Practitioners
    • Members of The Salvation Army’s Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Unit
    • Child protection specialists from Save the Children

18. Does my penguin need an official autism diagnosis to join a waddle?
    No formal diagnosis is necessary; we understand the barriers to getting formally assessed. The course is open to both pre- and post-diagnosis families and will provide you with valuable tools, insight, and guidance whether you’re just beginning to notice signs, are on a waitlist for assessment (we can provide that service in some states; please review the 1-on-1 assessment session here), or already have a diagnosis.
    

19. That all seems amazing but…$5,000?? Why does a waddle cost so much for only 3 months?
    We understand that $5,000 is a significant investment and we believe transparency is important. Our 12-week program conveniently offers the equivalent of multiple private services under one umbrella, designed by a multi-disciplinary team of experts. Bundling these services into one 12-week course is not only convenient but thorough, cohesive, and robust. Families would often pay well over $10,000–$15,000 if it were to access these services individually in the U.S.

    Here’s a breakdown of the average equivalent total private costs:
    Private Psychology Support (12 sessions): $2,400
    Occupational Therapy: $2,100
    IEP Advocacy/Consultation: $1,900
    Pediatric Medical Education & Support: $1,800
    Physical Therapy: $1,800
    Speech Therapy: $1,800
    SEN Support & Paraprofessional Insight: $720
    Total: $12,520

    Your enrollment also includes:

    • 18 professionally written books and 3 workbooks for the children
    • Speech therapy cue cards to improve communication
    • Printable handouts and elopement safety planning documents
    • Physical and occupational therapy exercises for home use
    • Safeguarding modules created by members of The Salvation Army’s Anti-Trafficking Unit and Save the Children
    • Training and insight from a team of licensed doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, SEN teachers, speech/occupational/physical therapists and IEP practitioners
    • Ongoing access to expert-led Q&A and support throughout the course
    
    This is not just a course. It is a full, multi-professional support program that empowers you to support your autistic child confidently at every stage, that will provide you with the tools to effect a positive impact for the rest of their lives. This may be a 3-month program but it is a lifelong investment into your child's well-being and growth along with your own, as they build a supportive network with whom to develop and understand their families and others better. We also offer flexible payment plans with companies to help make this more accessible for families. Please reach out to us if you’d like to discuss options.
    

20. Well then, you convinced me! Why is the price so low?
    The bundled course offers an unusually wide range of support: from speech, occupational and physical therapy guidance, to IEP consultation, safeguarding and expert-led education on autism. We’ve intentionally priced it well below the typical cost of accessing these services individually because we strongly believe in accessibility. Families of autistic children often face significant emotional, logistical, and financial challenges and we do not believe high-quality support should be prohibitively expensive.
    
    We aim to reach and support as many families as possible by keeping the price affordable and the comprehensive value of the course convenient across all stages of the autism journey, both pre- and post-diagnosis. The more families we can empower with professional tools, strategies, and understanding the greater the long-term impact on children’s outcomes and parental well-being.
    

21. How can I pay for this great deal?
    We accept multiple forms of payment: credit card, Klarna, and Paypal. Please reach out to us if you have any questions on pricing and we’ll be happy to assist you!
    

22. Can you provide some more details on how Waddle delivers the 12-week course?
    We deliver our waddles through weekly, hour-long virtual group sessions. You’ll receive an email with login details and access to a secure course platform. All materials are available online and downloadable with optional printed packs. One of our specially-trained and licensed psychologists guides each session that includes education, interactive discussion and tailored strategies that you can implement immediately. You’ll join a small cohort of other parents and caregivers navigating similar journeys with their autistic children.
    
    These group settings create a safe, supportive space for learning and connection. We celebrate the beauty of neurodiversity while also addressing the real challenges many families face. Every professional who contributed to this course has both lived and clinical experience: each has parented an autistic child and worked in therapeutic or educational capacities. We created this course from both the heart and the field with the belief that no parent should walk this path alone or unsupported.
    

23. Why are there 10 families per waddle? That could lead to a lot of squawking; isn’t that a lot for a one-hour session?
    We limit each group to 10 families to ensure a balance between structure and engagement. Not all sessions require active participation but we do include interactive elements, whether through open discussion, questions, or reflective exercises. Some parents are naturally more reserved and we understand that many caregivers may also be neurodivergent themselves. We would never ask anyone to do something that feels overwhelming or outside their comfort zone.
    
    We’ve found that having 10 participants allows space for quiet reflection while still fostering rich conversations. It also builds a diverse support circle; no two families are the same and hearing nine other perspectives often provides clarity, comfort, and connection that can be just as valuable as the curriculum itself.
    

24. What kind of results should I expect after completing the program?
    Outcomes will always vary because (as the saying goes) “if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” Every child and every family dynamic is unique. What we can promise is that you’ll leave the course with a deeper understanding of your child, a set of actionable tools across key therapeutic areas, and a community of support that doesn’t end at week twelve. Many parents report reduced stress, increased confidence, and more effective advocacy for their children. Don’t just take our word for it; visit our Testimonials page here to read direct feedback from families who’ve completed the course and experienced its impact firsthand.