Welcome to the Discovery Programme
A six-module journey of self-discovery for recently identified Autistic adults.
Created, designed, and facilitated by Autistic professionals.
Discovery Programme Resources
A collection of self-paced videos, guides, and tools for recently identified Autistic adults, drawn from our Discovery Programme.
If you’re here, you may have recently received a formal Autistic identification, or you may have arrived at that understanding through your own journey of self-identification. Both are valid, and either way, you’re in the right place.
This is your space to explore what being Autistic means to you, on your own terms and in your own time.
These resources bring together six modules at the heart of Autistic experience:
- Masking and burnout
- Impostor phenomenon and intersectionality
- Sensory systems
- Communication and relationships
- Monotropism and Autistic attention
- Internalised ableism and self-advocacy
Each module includes video guides, downloadable resources, and practical tools designed by and for the Autistic community.
These are free, self-guided resources you can explore at your own pace. They’re drawn from our live Discovery Programme, but don’t include facilitated group sessions. The live programme runs periodically, subject to funding.
Discovering You’re Autistic
Watch our award-winning animation exploring the strengths and possibilities that come with understanding yourself and finding belonging.
Explore the Modules
Each module is self-contained. There is no right way to explore the Discovery Programme resources; do what feels right for you.
All resources are designed to be practical, affirming, and grounded in lived experience.
Module 1
Imposter Phenomenon and Intersectionality
Making sense of your identification and the feelings that come with it.
Module 2
Masking and Burnout
Understanding the cost of masking, recognising Autistic burnout, and finding paths toward safe unmasking and recovery.
Module 3
Our Sensory Selves
Exploring your sensory world, building practical strategies, and creating environments that support your wellbeing.
Module 4
Monotropism and Attention Styles
Understanding how Autistic attention works, the power of engaging with flow, and working with your natural attention patterns and resources.
Module 5
Relationships, Empathy and Communication
Reframing empathy, navigating relationships, and finding ways to connect and communicate that honour who you are.
Module 6
Internalised Ableism and Self-Advocacy
Identifying internalised ableism, building self-advocacy skills, and stepping into your Autistic identity with confidence.
Stay in the Loop
Become a member of Thriving Autistic and continue your Discovery journey.
You are welcome to join our Monthly Meet-Ups and other upcoming events to connect with peers, share experiences, discover additional resources, and participate in ongoing conversations.
Past participants of our Discovery Programme are invited to join our Private Community Forum.
Funded by Rethink Ireland
The Discovery Programme is proudly supported by Rethink Ireland through the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF), which provides funded places for participants based in Ireland. For participants outside Ireland, we offer sliding scale subsidised rates to keep the programme accessible. We are actively working on securing funding for additional regions.
Thriving Autistic was recognised as one of the most innovative organisations in Ireland for our work in supporting recently identified Autistic adults.