Tyler McNamer was non-verbal until age 6. Today he is an author and speaker who helps families, teachers and autistic teens and adults, together with his dad Jody.
Tyler's journeyAuthor · Speaker · Autism advocate
Tyler was diagnosed with autism at age 2 and was non-verbal until age 6. At 17 he wrote his first book, Population ONE, and at 24 his second, Becoming ONE. Today Tyler speaks to schools, families and organizations across the U.S., and with his dad Jody he shares the practical help they wish they had found sooner.
Read Tyler’s full story
Has spoken for Comcast · Catalight · Pierce College · Gateway Academy · Muckleshoot Tribe · schools and universities across the U.S.
Choose who you are, and we'll show you where to start.
You're not alone. Start with what's hardest at home right now.
See parent programsTools for the classroom, and a speaker your staff will remember.
Book Tyler for your schoolFrom someone who is autistic too. No talking down, just real life.
Read Becoming ONEUnderstand what your grandchild, brother, sister or partner is going through.
Read Tyler's story
His parents got the news every autism family remembers, and started learning everything they could.
Tyler was non-verbal until 6. Then the words came, one at a time.
By 12 he was speaking in full sentences and telling the world how he saw it.
His first book, about growing up autistic, became a #1 best seller.
His second book follows the teenage years and the move into adult life.
Tyler gives talks to schools, families and organizations across the country.
"He does not speak about autism from a distance. He speaks from the inside out."
Jody McNamer, Tyler's dad
Simple picture stories for eye contact, taking turns, anger, voice volume, personal space and more. Print them for home or the classroom.
Download free stories16 things to do before, during and after your child’s IEP meeting, including the questions to ask word for word. Tyler was the child in those meetings.
Get the checklist
A note from Tyler’s dad
He does not speak about autism from a distance. He speaks from the inside out.
What looks like defiance may actually be fear, confusion, exhaustion, or a child whose system has simply reached its limit.
A child with autism is not a problem to solve. That child is a person. A person with dignity. A person with a future.
Tyler is not only someone I admire. He is my son.
— Jody
“I read the book and then handed it over to my grandson, who is autistic. He says it copies his life almost completely. It is helping him to understand how to handle situations that he had no idea how to handle.”
“When I first saw your program I was totally thrilled. I realized that the spectrum is infinite.”
“Tyler, you will help a lot of people understand autism and what the children go through. Thanks for putting it in writing.”
“I think this book should be required reading for children from middle school to college.”
“It was a privilege to share the stage with Tyler. A truly gifted author.”
“Thanks for helping to educate those of us who do not understand.”
“Tyler’s story allows people to view the world in surprisingly different ways. A must-read!”
“Tyler has proven that a positive attitude and willingness to adapt can help you live a fulfilling life.”
“I didn’t want it to end. You taught me a lot about life in many different ways. I gave it to my daughter to read.”
“Thank you so much for sharing your story. Those in attendance are still talking about how you inspired them.”
Mary WestSenior Vice President, The Snow GroupKeynotes and sessions for schools, conferences, colleges and workplaces — in person or online.
Two books, written seven years apart in his own life — one at seventeen, one at twenty-four.
“McNamer offers a fresh perspective on autism that needs to be heard and embraced as we quit seeing it as something to be fixed and instead as something to be appreciated.”
Patrick SnowInternational best-selling author
“I am amazed at how well he, as someone on the spectrum, can articulate the milestones that a family experiences while growing through the world of autism.”
Vicki L. LarawayDakota Center for Independent Living
Autism, Adversity, and the Will to Succeed
Growing up autistic, told honestly. Many readers hand it straight to the autistic child or grandchild in their life.
Autism, Adolescence, and the Transition to Adulthood
The teenage years and the step into adult life — for teens, young adults, and the people who love them.
“Wonderful book, hard to put down. Thank you Tyler for your inspiring message.”— Christine Brophy, reader
Picture stories that walk a child through a hard moment, step by step. Print one tonight.
Free printableZones of RegulationNaming big feelings with four colors
Free printablePersonal SpaceWhat “my bubble” means
Free printableVoice ControlWhen to use a loud or quiet voice
Free printableAnger“Sometimes I get angry. That’s okay!”
Over 175 free articles from Tyler and Jody.
A social story is a short picture story that walks a child through one situation, step by step: what will happen, what others might feel, and what they can do. Many autistic children find a hard moment easier once they have seen it on paper first. AutismWorks has free printable social stories on personal space, anger, voice volume, the Zones of Regulation and more.
Yes. Download any of them from the Free Resources page and print them at home or at school.
Repetition is very common for autistic children. Knowing exactly what comes next can feel calm and safe in a world that often feels unpredictable. Tyler explains it from the inside in Watching the Same Video Over.
AutismWorks is Tyler McNamer and his dad Jody sharing practical autism help for parents, teachers, grandparents and autistic teens and adults: free social stories, an IEP checklist, articles, online programs, books and talks.
Tyler was diagnosed with autism at age 2 and was non-verbal until age 6. He wrote Population ONE at 17 and Becoming ONE at 24. His books have sold more than 190,000 copies, and he speaks to schools, families and organizations.
No. Parents, teachers and school staff, grandparents and siblings, and autistic teens and adults all use AutismWorks. Tyler is an autistic adult himself.
Yes. Tyler gives keynotes for schools, school nurses, parent groups, colleges and workplaces. See the speaking page to ask about a date.
Get Tyler's free social stories, plus gentle, practical tips by email. Or reach out with a question. A real person reads every message.
Get started today before this once in a lifetime opportunity expires.
