Firefly Autism

Photos Courtesy of Firefly Autism

In a quiet  south Denver neighborhood, a handful of families in 2023 launched what would become one of Colorado’s most innovative autism service organizations. Today, Firefly Autism operates from a large Lakewood campus and serves  young children to adults, all guided by one core principle: access.

For CEO Amanda Kelly, access is both personal and professional. Originally from Ireland, Kelly moved to the United States after completing her doctorate in behavior analysis, drawn to a field that was more established here. Thirteen years later, she leads Firefly with a values-based approach. “Autism is truly a spectrum,” she says. “Every individual is unique. There is no cookie-cutter approach.”

That philosophy shapes Firefly’s individualized, asset-based model of care. Therapy is tailored not to what clinicians think a family should want, but to what the individual and family value most. Even for clients who cannot verbally consent, Firefly emphasizes assent—ensuring that individuals communicate, in their own way, that they feel safe and engaged.

Beyond direct therapy, Firefly is expanding its reach through systems change, such as training rural teachers and staff on autism strategies. A new partnership with the Colorado Department of Education brings this training and consultation to rural school districts that lack specialized support. Collaborations with adult day programs are widening access for individuals who previously didn’t fit traditional models.

The impact is deeply personal. One family, after attempting a transition back to their neighborhood school, returned seeking what they valued most: a place where their child felt safe and accepted. “Relieving that daily stress for families,” Kelly says, “is everything.”

Firefly’s team remains united around a simple belief: Everyone deserves meaningful support—even if they learn, communicate or experience the world differently.

Firefly Autism

2001 Hoyt St., Lakewood

fireflyautism.org