Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Pfeiffer
Hi Brooke, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I met my first child with autism when I was 19, working as a camp counselor, and from that moment on, autism has been my passion. I realized the power of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) early on, as it’s been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This inspired me to complete my master’s degree in Autism and ABA and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2012. In 2015, I opened my own home and community-based ABA practice, Bluebird Behavioral Solutions, which continues to serve individuals of all ages.
One of the challenges I’ve encountered over the years is that most resources stop offering services to individuals with autism before or at the onset of adulthood. As these young adults age out of public school services at 22, they often fall into a gap with extremely limited supports. The statistics are alarming: Autism is the fastest-growing disability, and in the next decade, 500,000 adults will transition out of school-based services. Currently, nearly 80% of adults on the spectrum are either underemployed or unemployed. These individuals often rely on family and government assistance while remaining mostly isolated from their communities, and their potential is largely untapped.
This is why I’m working to launch Migration by Bluebird, a nonprofit vocational and transition program aimed at offering evidence-based therapy alongside vocational training in a functioning business. Migration Mercantile & Cafe, located in a charming bungalow in the North Loop area, will provide coffee, baked goods, and products crafted by our community members and artisans with autism nationwide. Our goal is to help individuals on the spectrum engage in meaningful work, build relationships, and find their place in society. We’re currently fundraising and assembling our first cohort, hoping to open our doors in early 2026. In the meantime, we’re doing pop-up shops around Austin under the Mini Migration initiative.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The path to building this type of service hasn’t been easy, and I think the hardest part is that people with autism are often unseen and misunderstood. The media tends to portray individuals with autism in a very narrow way, often highlighting just a small part of the spectrum. Many people assume that individuals with autism can’t or don’t want to work, but that’s far from the truth. While autism does present unique challenges, it also comes with remarkable gifts and perspectives that can enrich our communities, if we know how to support and connect with them.
The unemployment crisis among adults on the spectrum is a significant issue, not just for the individuals affected, but for their families, who often bear the financial and emotional burden. The problem also strains our limited government resources, and far too many capable individuals are left without the right training or support to succeed in the workforce. It’s essential that we help others see the value of this community, become more accepting of differences, and work to create more opportunities for them. We want to Keep Austin Weird and Keep Austin Inclusive!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Bluebird Behavioral Solutions, we’ve been providing individualized therapeutic services for over a decade, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished. We’ve helped so many families in Austin navigate the challenges of autism, and now we’re expanding our mission with Migration. Migration is unlike anything else in the area, and we’re filling a major gap by combining job training with therapy to help individuals transition to paid employment or volunteer positions in the community.
What sets us apart is our focus on both hard and soft skills. The biggest hurdle for most adults on the spectrum isn’t learning how to perform a task—it’s mastering the social communication, executive functioning, and self-regulation skills (among many others) needed to succeed in a workplace. Our therapists will work on these foundational skills, while also providing vocational training in real-world business operations. We want our members to engage with customers; not just work behind the scenes. This direct interaction helps break down barriers between neurotypical people and those with autism, fostering a more inclusive community.
Additionally, we’ll partner with local businesses to help them accommodate individuals on the spectrum and create a sustainable, inclusive workforce. Businesses need more than just a desire to provide equal opportunities; they need the right training and support to make it work long term.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I’ve always had a passion for children and a strong drive to help others. Even as a child, I was seen as independent and determined. While I’m not someone who enjoys talking about myself, I could happily talk about autism and Migration all day!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bluebirdbehavioral.com/migration
- Instagram: migration_by_bluebird
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559694635983
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/ABYGjAzsLIk
- Other: https://givebutter.com/migration-by-bluebird
