Are you ready to create a...
Green Zone LifeAutism Shifts began with one family’s journey from the old, stigmatized way of thinking about the diagnosis to a more hopeful and joyful perspective. We are on a mission to share what we’ve learned with you, helping to guide your shift from the Red Zone (which is dominated by negative emotions like anger, fear and worry) to the Green Zone (where Autism is celebrated and accepted)! If you’re living in a place of hope, happiness and optimism, you’re living the Green Zone Life – and this is our goal for the Autism Community!
Are You in the Red Zone?
Do you feel despair, fear or anger? Are you worried about an uncertain future? Do you only see Autism’s challenges, believing you are limited by the stigma that surrounds the diagnosis? If you answered yes to these questions, then you know how it feels to be in the Red Zone, and it’s not a good feeling place! The Red Zone is filled with negative emotions like insecurity, doubt and powerlessness. Stigma wants to keep you stuck there…but we are here to help you shift your perspective and understanding of Autism, allowing your family to experience more hope, appreciation and joy than you ever thought possible!
What We Do at Autism Shifts
We are leading the movement of individuals with Autism and families who are ready to make the shift from the Red Zone to the Green Zone, where each person’s Uniquabilities are embraced, where work environments and communities are inclusive and where life is lived on purpose! We do this through our programs and services, including the Shifter Membership Program, which provide specialized training, resources and connection opportunities for our community.

Make the Shift to the
The Green Zone
This shift begins with you. As more of us live this Green Zone Life, the more momentum our movement will build and the quicker we will see a new reality for our Autism Community, built on unconditional love, unlimited possibilities, and universal inclusion!
SHIFTER MEMBERSHIPS
FREE
Membership Benefits
Access to FREE Workshops
Access to Private Facebook Group
Monthly e-Newsletter
Individual Plus
$35 / Month or
$357 / Year (Save 20%)
Access for 1 membership (Individual with Autism OR Parent/Caregiver)
Access to Selected Paid Workshops
Access to Weekly Coaching Sessions for Parents/Caregivers
Access to Private Facebook Group
Monthly e-Newsletter
Access to Monthly Social Groups
Access to Meet-Up Groups for 1 Member
Specialized Video Training Modules
Access to Tools and Process
Access to Podcasts/Interviews
Access to Special Member Events
Family Premium
$55 / Month or
$561 / Year (Save 20%)
Access for 2 Memberships (Individual with Autism AND Parent/Caregiver
Access to Selected Paid Workshops
Access to Weekly Coaching Sessions for Parents/Caregivers
Access to Private Facebook Group
Monthly e-Newsletter
Access to Monthly Social Groups
Access to Meet-Up Groups for 2 Members
Specialized Video Training Modules
Access to Tools and Process
Access to Podcasts/Interviews
Access to Special Member Events
Family Elite
$95 / Month or
$969 / Year (Save 20%)
Access for ALL Members of Household (including Individuals with Autism and Parents/Caregivers)
Access to ALL Workshops
Access to Weekly Coaching Sessions for Parents/Caregivers
Access to Private Facebook Group
Monthly e-Newsletter
Access to Monthly Social Groups
Access to Meet-Up Groups for All Members in Household
Specialized Video Training Modules
Access to Tools and Process
Access to Podcasts/Interviews
Access to Special Member Events
25% Discount on Selected Courses
25% Discount on Merchandise
2 Passes for Annual Conference
Courses for Adults on the Autism Spectrum
Courses for Parents / Caregivers

Our View of Autism
Our definition of Autism is very different from what you find when you research it on the website or when you speak to those that have not yet made the Shift!
Today, there are a lot of individuals that are receiving the diagnosis of Autism. The CDC states that it’s 1 in every 54 children, however we believe there are a lot more people than that and a lot more coming
Our view of individuals with Autism is that they:
- Are Leading the Neurodiversity Movement.
- Think differently.
- View the World differently.
- Came into this world to Be DIFFERENT, Not LESS.
- Are totally AWESOME!
We believe that NOW is the time to ”SHIFT” our perspective of Autism and see our community through a Green Zone lens with all it’s beauty, talents and abilities!
The Westra Family Story
Our journey through the world of Autism started when we received the diagnosis for our daughter Gabbi at the age of four. For many years we suffered, living in a place of worry, anger and fear (which we call the “Red Zone”) because we didn’t understand the diagnosis nor Gabbi’s behaviors, let alone her view of the world. Thus began my personal journey in search of the knowledge, tools, and processes to help “shift” our understanding of Autism. In 2011, I started Artistas Café, a program that provided training and employment for young adults on the Autism Spectrum. This gave me an even greater understanding and appreciation of Autism not only as a trainer and business owner, but more importantly as a mom. The experience working with our employees on the spectrum shifted my perspective and as a result my relationship with Gabbi improved, greatly increasing the well-being of our entire family. Today, I am on a mission to share what I’ve learned to help others in our Autism community who are living in the Red Zone shift to living in the Green Zone. There they can experience more hope, appreciation, joy and unconditional love than they likely have thought possible! As more of us are in this new place of understanding, we can join together to create a new reality for our Autism Community”
– Vicky, Pier and Gabbi Westra
Connect With Our Community
Our Upcoming Events, Workshops and Meet Ups
When you register for an Autism Shifts event, you will be automatically enrolled in the FREE level of our Shifter Membership Program, giving you access to even more specialized training, resources and connection opportunities!
Recent Blogs and Podcasts
Check out the posts below for resources for the Autism Community. We are on a mission to share what we’ve learned with you!
EP 7: Vicky Talks with Jen Msumba founder of Rebranding Autism
Vicky Westra is the Founder of Autism Shifts, a 501(c)3 Non-profit Foundation and Artistas Café, a unique Social Enterprise whose mission is to employ individuals diagnosed with Autism. Prior to her...
EP 6: Autism Shifts with Vicky Westra
Vicky Westra is the Founder of Autism Shifts, a 501(c)3 Non-profit Foundation and Artistas Café, a unique Social Enterprise whose mission is to employ individuals diagnosed with Autism. Prior to her...
EP 5: Autism Shifts – Vicky Westra and Working with Special Needs
Vicky Westra is the Founder of Autism Shifts, a 501(c)3 Non-profit Foundation and Artistas Café, a unique Social Enterprise whose mission is to employ individuals diagnosed with Autism. Prior to her...
Get In Touch
Location: 5440 Mariner St #110, Tampa, FL 33609
Telephone: 813.251.2787
Email: info@autismshifts.org
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9AM - 5PM