“Autistic women live complex lives. They deserve support sophisticated enough to meet them there.”

- Michele Paiva
Founder

A decorative pattern with gold and black ornate swirling floral motifs.
Smiling woman with short curly dark hair, wearing a patterned top and gold jewelry, in a room with bookshelves and framed pictures on the wall.

Behind the Brand

Michele Paiva is a therapist, Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, writer and autistic woman whose work spans psychology, behavioral science, technology, media, advocacy and the arts.

With 30+ years of experience, her background includes clinical practice, financial therapy and behavioral finance, national and global branding, journalism, digital strategy, AI evaluation and training, robotics training, movement and expressive arts.

Education + Training

  • Harvard Medical School | Postgraduate training Certificate, Lifestyle

  • Wharton, University of Pennsylvania | Business Analytics

  • Benson-Henry Institute / Massachusetts General Hospital | Mind-body medicine, stress physiology & neurobiology

  • Autism & developmental disorders

  • Trauma-informed care

  • Mindfulness & stress reduction

  • Hypnotherapy

  • Jungian & transpersonal psychology

  • Movement, yoga & expressive arts

  • QVC Trained in Direct Sales

Technology + Media

  • AI evaluation & model training

  • Robotics training & evaluation

  • Human-AI interaction & Prompt evaluation

  • Digital & content strategy

  • Personal Branding & Publicity

  • National & global brand strategy

  • Marketing funnels & campaign development

  • Audience psychology & neuromarketing

  • Analytics & SEO

  • Journalism, broadcast & digital media

  • WordPress • HubSpot • ConvertKit • ClickFunnels • Canva

  • Social Media Strategy

Advocacy + Interests

  • Autism & neurodivergence

  • Women’s advocacy & Title IX

  • Responsible technology

  • Advocacy against mega data center expansion

  • Theology & spirituality

  • Financial therapy & behavioral science

  • Monarch conservation & lepidopterology

  • Arts, movement & nature

  • I Dream of Jeannie

Professional Affiliations

  • American Psychological Association

  • American Marketing Association

  • International Expressive Arts Therapy Association

Three Ways I Support Myself as an Autistic Woman

  • I limit loud indoor environments. Sound can be physically uncomfortable, even when I enjoy what I’m hearing.

  • I protect my recovery time and protect my peace.

  • I work with my brain, not against it. I allow deep focus, routines and sensory accommodations, without apology.

Media & Speaking ⤵

Selected Media & Speaking

Michele’s work, commentary, and professional insights have appeared across national media, financial platforms, lifestyle publications, and educational settings.

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

  • Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

  • University of Maryland School of Social Work

  • Chester County Fund for Women and Girls

  • International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

  • Business associations, professional organizations, universities, and nonprofit groups

Media Features & Contributions

  • Yahoo Finance

  • O, The Oprah Magazine

  • Vogue

  • Harper’s Bazaar

  • Men’s Health

  • OK! Magazine

  • USA Today

  • The Washington Post

  • HuffPost

  • Authority Magazine

  • MoneyLion

  • EarnIn

  • Fashion Week media

  • Interviews and campaigns involving Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Bruce Lipton

Comng Soon

HerTism places autistic women at the center of the conversation, exploring how autism can shape the body, identity, relationships, and everyday life.

Inside, Michele will examine:

  • Masking and the cost of appearing “fine”

  • Sensory life, stress, burnout, and the body

  • Hormonal transitions across women’s lives

  • Love, intimacy, friendship, and belonging

  • The female experiences traditional autism models have overlooked

A research-informed exploration grounded in professional knowledge and lived experience.

A silver decorative vase filled with purple roses, lavender, and white flowers, placed on a rustic wooden table beside a purple book titled 'HerTism' by Michele Paiva.