Our Mission

People with autism often live veiled behind a shroud of enigma and misperception, concealing their true talents, abilities, and potential even from those closest to them. As parents of an autistic child, my wife and I have intimately faced this reality. By concentrating on our son’s future, particularly his career, we have illuminated his strengths, nurtured in him a strong sense of self, and put ourselves as parents on an enlightened path that not only accepts, but celebrates his unique neurodiversity.

I am dedicated and determined to help parents and individuals with autism see their strengths and realize their potential as they align to, prepare for, and launch a satisfying career!

Clain Udy – Founder & President

Clain is passionate about helping individuals with autism achieve a successful, sustainable career, and believes a career is the key to long-term, adult independence and satisfaction.

Clain is the father of an adult son with high-functioning autism. He has spent over two decades thinking about, researching and investigating what it takes to help his son, and others with autism, have successful, fulfilling careers.

He has worked for 30 years in the corporate world in the areas of human performance improvement and learning and development. He has served as an executive leader within a multi-national group of franchise organizations. He has two masters degrees (English Literature and Instructional Technology), and is currently working on his MBA degree. Additionally, Clain is writing a book detailing his journey from initially wanting to (lovingly) ‘fix’ his autistic son to wholeheartedly embracing his son’s beautifully unique strengths.

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Kristen Kaiser – Co- Founder & Chief Operating Officer

Kristen has dedicated over 15 years to improving the lives of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. She served as the Executive Program Director for The Joshua School in Colorado for 8 years, where she was responsible for overseeing the operations and programming across the preschool, school-age, and transition programs.

In addition to her previous role at The Joshua School, Kristen has been deeply involved in education and mentorship since 2009 as the LEND Family Discipline Director at JFK Partners, UC Denver School of Medicine. There, she teaches and mentors multidisciplinary professionals on disability and family dynamics. Her work includes significant contributions to autism research and the development of family support programs for those newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

In 2008, Kristen founded The Living Spectrum, a non-profit support organization that has grown to over 900 online members statewide. TLS has monthly live, in-person events in the Denver metro area to provide resources and build community, in addition to mentorship and activities online.

Currently, Kristen is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Autism Elevated, where she works alongside families and individuals with different abilities to identify strengths and build individualized paths forward.

Kristen holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health, a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master’s Degree in English and American Literature from Harvard University.

Juliana Pybus – Instructional Designer

Juliana is an instructional designer with a a wide array of experience developing creative learning solutions for adult learners in various contexts — from hands-on training for franchise owners, to EHR simulations for medical professionals, to university-level curricula for international students.

She’s dedicated to applying research-based best practices to developing creative online, blended, and in-person instructional solutions — now, as a freelance instructional designer eager to contribute to rebranding autism and helping another population develop their strengths and abilities.

She holds a master’s degree and TESOL Certificate from North Carolina State University. In her free time, she loves keeping up with her two energetic boys, running, reading, and baking.

Tessa McEvoy (Simon Cleath) – Social Media & PR Specialist

Tessa McEvoy is a long-time social media and website designer specialist. She began working in design back in 2015 to earn Habbo Hotel in-game currency. Her love for freelance carried into her professional life where she helped to grow a major influencer’s social media presence to over 1 million followers. Now she works behind the scenes at Autism Elevated doing web design, back-end social media graphics and PR.

During her free time, Tessa runs a small custom hand-painted ornament business Outside the Box Crafts. She also self-publishes disability advocacy literature including, What it is like Living with Depression? A Journal by Tessa McEvoy and Space Cadet Wannabe. She also enjoys deconstructing antique slot machines to see their innerworkings.

Tessa will graduate with her BFA specializing in Digital Design May 17th, 2025, from The University of Colorado Denver. develop their strengths and abilities.

Becky Moody – Content Specialist

Becky Moody, best known by her stage name Alaizabel Cray, is a neurodivergent actress, model, dancer, and writer residing in Denver, Colorado with her husband and two cats. Her work and social media pages can be found at https://linktr.ee/alaizabelcray.

Sean Shivers – Strategy & Community management

Sean Shivers brings a wealth of experience to the team in communication, volunteer recruitment & project management with a particular focus on issue advocacy and community engagement.