Davis® Autism Programs
The Davis Autism programs are non-invasive, gentle approaches that can be tailored to address varying degrees of need. Ron Davis, who was autistic himself, developed these programs to help transform the lives of autistic people and their families.
Students learn simple, effective self-regulation tools for stress management, energy regulation, and focus. Every program has a core component of building important life concepts in clay, then exploring them in the surrounding environment — helping the student integrate what they’ve learned into a real framework for understanding the world around them.
Program Philosophy:
- Embracing and celebrating neurodiversity
- Respecting every individual
- Nurturing growth
- Building on each person’s strengths to overcome challenges
Davis Autism Approach®
For autistic individuals age 8 and up.
The goal of the Davis Autism Approach® is to help autistic individuals orient themselves to, and better understand, the world around them — so they can participate more fully in life.
It’s a 3-part program:
1. Self-Awareness and Regulation. Before anything else, we establish focus and calm using Davis’s own self-regulation tools — Auditory Orientation for mental focus, Release for stress, and Dial for energy regulation. Prior to starting, clients listen to the Davis Auditory Orientation sound for 2 weeks to a month, so we’re building on a foundation of calm from day one.
2. Concept Mastery — Who am I? Creating and internalizing core life concepts — across the physical world (change, consequence, time, sequence, order/disorder), the world of thought (perception, understanding, wisdom), and the instinctual world (emotion, want, need, intention) — through hands-on clay modeling and real-world exploration.
3. Social Integration — How do I relate to others in the world? Building social awareness and relationship skills through more advanced concept work, exploring the different types of relationships we have with others, so the individual can participate more fully in life.
What you can expect: every family’s experience is different, but commonly reported outcomes include reduced anxiety and emotional overwhelm, greater flexibility with change, increased self-awareness and confidence, stronger interpersonal communication, and fewer meltdowns.
What’s included: the Davis Auditory Orientation recording, a Davis manual, modeling clay, a clay cutter, and two Koosh balls.
Davis® Stepping Stones
Beginning steps to the Davis Autism Approach, for ages 3.5-8, or non-speaking individuals of any age.
Stepping Stones works closely with the child’s parent or support person, and navigates each participant through a sequence of essential early developmental stages, in four steps: 
- Preparing the support person — you’ll learn the same self-regulation tools (Auditory Orientation, Release, Dial) used throughout Davis programs, so you can stay calm and present while working with your child.
- Self-Awareness and Regulation — your child begins building awareness of self and their surroundings.
- Concept Mastery — foundational concepts (self, another/others, change, consequence, cause and effect, before/after) are built in clay and internalized.
- Life Integration — concepts are applied and reinforced through everyday experiences.
What you can expect: commonly reported outcomes include increased self-awareness, better self-regulation, fewer meltdowns, growth in imaginative play, and improved understanding of cause and effect.
What’s included: the Davis Auditory Orientation recording, a Davis manual, modeling clay, a clay cutter, and two Koosh balls.
Davis® Stepping Stones 2
For those ages 6-8 (or non-speaking individuals of any age) who’ve completed Stepping Stones but aren’t yet ready for the full Davis Autism Approach.
This program builds on the same framework, introducing more advanced concepts: time, sequence, and order/disorder.
What you can expect: commonly reported outcomes include improved self-regulation, greater flexibility with transitions, better ability to follow multi-step instructions, and fewer meltdowns.
What’s included: a Davis Stepping Stones 2 manual.
A Timeline Built Around the Individual
The duration of these programs is flexible, tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual — the focus is always on providing wrap-around support, not fitting a fixed timeline. As a general guide, Davis Autism Approach typically totals 60-120 hours of facilitator time, and Stepping Stones and Stepping Stones 2 typically total 15-30 hours each — but how that time is spread out varies enormously. I’ve worked with programs that lasted just a month, and others that unfolded over a year. Most often, in my experience, these programs run 4 to 6 months.
A support person needs to be involved every step of the way, whether in person or online, and we build the schedule together based on your family’s needs and your child’s pace — not the other way around.
What a Session Looks Like
- Reviewing previous work
- Introducing a new life concept
- Observing the facilitator demonstrate it, and finding examples together
- Exploring the surrounding environment for more examples of the concept — this might mean a walk to the park, a trip to the store, or playing with a toy, depending on the individual’s needs and interests
- Working with clay to create a representation of the concept
- Creating real experiences of the concept in daily life
- Mastering the concept through the clay model and real-world practice
This cycle continues throughout the program until each concept is fully integrated. Other work is woven in as needed — creating order in a space, building new patterns of behavior, and exercises around motivation and responsibility.
See What’s Possible
“Working with Sophia has unlocked the way I think and understand the world.”
— Andrew, Davis Autism Approach client
Ready to Get Started?
Call for a free phone consultation: 206.451.7102, or reach out here to schedule your assessment.
Learning Tools is proudly affiliated with Davis®, whose licensed facilitators deliver personalized, 1:1 programs worldwide, grounded in strength-based methods that unlock each client’s innate ability to learn and thrive.
Learn more about the Davis Methods
Empowering those who think and learn differently.
All around the world, Davis is making a difference every day. With our unique insights and specialized expertise, we understand the root cause of both the perceptual gifts AND the challenges that accompany neurodivergent thinking.
The Davis Methods use proven strength-based tools and effective learning strategies that unlock clients' innate ability to learn and thrive.
Our highly trained licensed Davis facilitators deliver life-changing, personalized programs (1:1) with respect, care, and a commitment to positive outcomes for all ages.
