Debbie Violett Grindstaff

Hi, I’m Debbie Grindstaff, a Licensed Independent Social Worker specializing in neurodivergent-affirming therapy and Autism assessments for children, adolescents, and young adults ages 4–22. I work with individuals with Autism, ADHD, emotional and behavioral challenges, anxiety, and nervous system dysregulation, while partnering closely with parents to help their children and teens feel understood, supported, and successful.

My approach to therapy recognizes that behavior is communication and that meaningful change begins with understanding what is happening beneath the behavior. Rather than focusing simply on managing symptoms, I help children and adolescents better understand themselves, develop emotional awareness, strengthen coping skills, and build a greater sense of safety and regulation within their nervous system.

I incorporate a variety of therapeutic approaches based on each child’s individual needs, including EMDR, Polyvagal-Informed Therapy, Child Therapy, nervous system regulation strategies, and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). My work is neurodivergent-affirming and strengths-based, with an emphasis on supporting each child’s unique way of experiencing, processing, and interacting with the world.

I also provide comprehensive Autism assessments for children, adolescents, and young adults. The assessment process looks beyond a checklist of symptoms to develop a fuller understanding of how an individual communicates, forms relationships, processes sensory information, regulates emotions, learns, and navigates everyday life. My goal is to provide families with clear, meaningful answers and practical recommendations they can use at home, at school, and when working with other professionals.

But support doesn’t end with an assessment or diagnosis. I work closely with parents through psychoeducation, parent guidance, and practical strategies designed to help them better understand their child’s nervous system, recognize what may be driving challenging behaviors, reduce anxiety and stress within the household, and create an environment in which their child can thrive.

This work is also deeply personal to me. As a mother who has walked the neurodivergent parenting journey with my own child, I understand how overwhelming it can feel when you know your child needs support but aren’t sure what the next step should be. Having the right information, therapeutic support, and practical tools can make an enormous difference—not only for the child, but for the entire family.

Whether you are seeking therapy for your child or teen, exploring the possibility of Autism, looking for support with emotional or nervous system regulation, or simply trying to better understand your child’s needs, my goal is to provide a place where both children and parents feel seen, understood, and supported—with compassion, clarity, and care.