Who we are

In 2021, Jessica Penot and Rainn Stone began a research project that showed that 91% of women and 66% of autistic adults in general also meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD. At that time, they realized that meant there was something very wrong with the way we are relating to and treating autistic people. They began running free groups out of Tree of Life Behavioral health based on research driven theories that authenticity, safe spaces, and unmasking are they keys to autistic mental health. Working with other autistic community leaders, like Holly Foshee from Huntsville Autistic Adults they began to develop a plan to create a place that focused on helping autistic people find the neuro-affirmative resources they need and a place where autistic people can be themselves and grow in authenticity and self-acceptance. Now, NAARC has a team of mostly autistic autism advocates working together to build the three pillar dream of NAARC.

The most interesting people you’ll find are ones that don’t fit into your average cardboard box. They’ll make what they need. They’ll make their own boxes.
– Dr Temple Grandin

Our Mission

Providing a network of neuro-affirmative resources run by autistic people for autistic people.

Our Values

As North Alabama’s grassroots autism support organization NAARC is rooted in neuro-affirmative best practices that ensure a welcoming, inclusive environment for autistic people.

Our Vision

To ensure safe, inclusive autism support services through support groups, education, outreach, community, mental health services, and service dog training.

Our Board of Directors

We are a group of neurodivergent people from very different backgrounds working together to make the world better for autistic people.

  • Jessica Penot, LPC-S is a licensed professional counselor and the owner and director of Tree of Life Behavioral Health.  She has over 20 years clinical experience working with trauma and autism.  Jessica was diagnosed with autism in her 40s and her writing and research can be found on Psychology Today and The Art of Autism.  She is the author of the Unmasking Autism Workbook for Autistic Adults and 10 novels and books about women and girls who find beauty in their weirdness.

  • Ahna Ravan is a registered play therapist and counselor. She specializes in neuroaffirmative approaches to child therapy.

  • Holly Foshee is a Senior Systems Engineer and contractor for NASA with an MSE in Mechanical Engineering. Holly is the executive director of Huntsville Autistic Adults and has fought for advocacy and community for local autistic adults for years. As an autistic adult herself, Holly understands the unique needs of autistic people in the community.

  • Richard Scott Takcas is Acquisition and Business Operations Manager at Delta Solutions and Strategies. He has a BA in History and and Masters in Business Administration. He is a Major in the Virginia National Gaurd and has been deployed 8 times. He was diagnosed with autism late in life and is dedicated to helping autistic people get the resources they need.

  • Elizabeth Gervais is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate and educational consultant who is passionate about providing neuroaffirmative care and support. She works in private practice and with nonprofits to help advocate for those who need it.

  • As a key member of the compliance and finances of Thrive Alabama's discount drug program, a sense of service and community inolvement is a common theme in all Vera's endeavors. Vera was diagnosed with autism when whe was young. She is the 340B Program Coordinator with the AIDS Action Coalition of Huntsvile.

  • Rainn Stone (they/them), LMSW, GTC, found their passion for social work at 16. As a trans-nonbinary AuDHDer, they focus on empowering neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ communities. Rainn’s experience includes supervising the National Suicide Lifeline and high-acuity settings, before returning to Tree of Life, where they specialize in ADHD, autism, and gender-affirming care for youth. Their work is driven by their own late diagnosis, which also fuels their role as VP of NAARC, providing resources they wish they’d had. They have presented and spoke at Dragon Con and many other events about the importance of self-acceptance and self-love for neurodivergent and queer folk.