Chris Blankenship, LCSW, holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Southern California. A dedicated autism-informed clinician, Chris has spent his entire adult life supporting young people, families, and neurodivergent individuals and has served as a therapist since 2014.

Chris began his career teaching English in a diverse classroom at an inner-city school in New Orleans, LA. This early experience instilled in him a passion for education and its impact on individuals and families. As a teacher, he developed programs for at-risk students while supporting vulnerable families. After completing graduate school, Chris joined a therapeutic program where he took on a leadership role, developing systems to support autistic teens and young adults, training clinical teams, and advocating for neurodivergent clients.

Known for his no-nonsense approach, Chris combines his background in teaching and therapy to provide practical, research-based autism coaching for families. A lifelong learner and avid researcher, he strives to bridge teaching and therapeutic support to empower families navigating autism.

Chris founded Autism Learning Lab to provide families with trusted resources, coaching tailored to autism-specific challenges, and nature-based retreats in the stunning Colorado mountains. His deep understanding of autism and passion for transformative experiences inspired him to create opportunities that combine education, support, and adventure.

In his free time, Chris enjoys exploring mountains and deserts with his wife and daughter, cooking meals for loved ones, listening to music, and cheering for Colorado sports teams.