Navigating the Spectrum with Michele Portlock

Dr David and Laura Palmer are the founders of Inclusion Matters Education Services. With a mission to empower parents as advocates for their neurodivergent children, they bring a unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience to the table. Their journey began years ago when they adopted five siblings, each with their unique neurodivergent traits. This personal experience fueled their...

Camille Joy is a devoted wife and mother, with a heart as vast as her roles: entrepreneur, podcaster, advocate, and a beacon of hope. She radiates joy and utilizes her diverse platforms to uplift families navigating the unique challenges of raising children with special needs. in 2018, Camille Joy embarked on an inspiring journey when she launched her podcast, "Moments of Joy." Today, it stands ta...

Dr. Julie Fraumeni-McBride is the Director of Research and development and Co-Founder at The Steadfast Institute. Julie has overseen the implementation of research focus and development specifically designed to better understand and meet the needs of women, men, LGBT identities, and those with intellectual and mental health impairments such as autism, OCD, bipolar, depression, ADHD, cyclothymia an...

Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife is an LDS relationship and sexuality coach with a Ph. D. in Counseling Psychology. Her teaching and coaching focus on helping LDS individuals and couples achieve greater satisfaction and passion in their emotional and sexual relationships. Her knowledge, expertise, and resources are meaningful to broader audiences as well. Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife is a parent of a 23...

Robert Freiri is the Executive Director at Gateway Center of Monterey County, a community that has been serving adults with developmental disabilities for the past 60 years. Together, Robert and I discuss how to meet the needs of adults with disabilities through residential care as well as through community resources. Gateway Center's slogan of Care and Compassion can be seen in all its programs--...

Tyler Bastian is an educator, filmmaker, and founder of Roots Charter High School. Tyler loves to teach and has a passion for discovering and developing potential in everything around him. For four years, Tyler taught Character Education at a local high school and believes positive character is the greatest indicator of success. In 2012, Tyler began to develop the concepts that have become Roots--...

This is one of those episodes you don't want to miss. Liz Feicht works as the Family Caregiver Community Outreach Lead for Solace Pediatric Healthcare and she takes the time to break down the Medicaid waiver process. And she does this in her informative and engaging way. You'll want to have a pen and notepad handy. And to all of those families that don't believe they will qualify for Medicaid serv...

Abbey Butcher is an IEP Coach, a parent of children with behavioral needs, a special education teacher and a behavior specialist. She has 11+ years drafting behavior plans for students and her own children's behavioral needs and has helped hundreds of kids be more regulated and successful in school. When addressing a child's behavioral needs, Abbey brings a brain-based approach. Supports she recom...

Peter Mann is the CEO and Founder of Virginia-based Oransi, a leading air purification company known for its efficient, intuitive, and reliable products for consumers, schools, organizations, and businesses. He also is the Chair of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers' Air Cleaner Council. In 2021, Oransi merged with Aviemore Technologies and is now a motor technology company with a cle...

In 2020, Tiffany and her husband, Cyle Feingold, founded Guiding Bright Minds, a community of educators, professionals, non-profits, and parents of neurodivergent children on their journey. Tiffany's motivation and passion for Guiding Bright Minds stem from her journey as a parent of a neurodivergent child and spouse to a neurodivergent husband. Tiffany is passionate about helping build a meaningf...

Sam Mitchell is autistic and runs a successful podcast called Autism Rocks and Rolls. Sam is a motivational speaker and entrepreneur who sells merchandise and writes creatively for his podcast. Sam has published a TED talk called Souled Structure, and he also recently graduated from high school.  Together Sam and I talk about some of the challenges he has experienced as an autistic individual. We...

Jan Stewart is a highly regarded mental health governance expert and advocate. Her brutally honest memoir Hold on Tight: A Parent's Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness describes her emotional roller coaster story of parenting two children with multiple mental health disorders. Her mission is to inspire parents to persevere, as well as to better educate their families, friends, healthcare...

Together Kody and I talk about the very real benefits gained when parents participate in parent coaching/consulting focused on current best practices in raising neurodivergent children. Kody is the co-owner of Curated Family Therapeutics and he and his partner work with clients in-person and also through telehealth. Kody has worked in this field for over ten years now and he is passionate about th...

Jason is a single father of an 8 yo daughter, a retired navy man, and co-creator of the Next Time I'm Up reminders app. Together Jason and I discuss what inspired this app and all of the app's many uses. This is a useful tool for all the little things you wish you remembered to do when you were up and about. Take a listen, and then go download the app.

This episode with Amanda Diekman focuses on low-demand parenting. Amanda tells us what it is, who it benefits, and why she uses low-demand parenting herself. Amanda has also written a book on low-demand parenting that will be out in the near future. 

Beatrice Moise is a Board-Certified Cognitive Specialist, parent coach, national speaker, and author of Our Neurodivergent Journey. She also has a unique parenting channel on YouTube that is dedicated to educating individuals on neurodiversity. Together we discuss why understanding neurodiversity matters, and specifically why it matters to Beatrice. Beatrice is engaging, educated, insightful, and...

Natashia Kletter is the creator of the I Want to Tell You book series. Her books are created as a simple and fun form of assistive communication. They create a way to help our loved ones communicate their basic needs and beyond. Her book series is a meaningful tool that we can use in our own homes. 

Sivan Hong is a neurodivergent author and mom. She is an author and illustrator of the Super Fun Day Books Series which focuses on social stories and neurodivergent children. Sivan is passionate about advocating for her own neurodivergent children as well as the neurodivergent children of others. She believes that when we, as parents, advocate together, we can really make a difference in the lives...

Elliot was diagnosed autistic at the age of 17. Elliot is now 19 years old and still processing what his diagosis means specifically for him. Elliot is insightful and a solid communicator. He loves playing ultimate frisbe and playing instruments such as his guitar, bass, and drums. He also loves film. 

Together Cary Colleran and I discuss ADHD and how she helps her clients better navigate in this world. We also talk about the differences between ADHD and Autism. Cary is educated, hilarious, and relatable, and you're going to want to be her friend after you listen to this episode. 

Brynne is the owner of Made to Play Pediatric Therapy. She has been an Occupational Therapist for 7 years and has practiced in just about every pediatric setting possible. At Made to Play, she offers clinic and home-based OT to children 0 to 21 years of age in the Denver Metro area. Brynne believes in meeting the sensory needs of each child through play, and in the power of connection. 

Dr. Marc Avner has been our family pediatrician for nearly ten years now. I have recognized his interest and love for all the children he cares for, but particularly those with additional needs. Together we discuss the importance of developmental milestones and how those milestones may signal the need for autism testing. Dr. Marc talks about traits he often sees in young children prior to an autis...

Kendra is a speech-language pathologist that has been practicing in the field since 2014. She is highly intelligent, witty, and engaging. Kendra shares her insight into the differences between speech and language and what this may look like for an individual struggling with speech, language, or both. You'll be drawn in by her charismatic personality and the level of knowledge she shares in a meani...

Emily McAllister is a certified life coach and co-founder of Lead with Love Coaching, LLC. She is also a mother and a champion for helping people find their individual worth. She utilizes the science and psychology-based program of Clarity Point in working with her clients, specifically parents, youth, and young adults, who are trying to navigate their faith as well as LGBTQ+ neuro-diversity issue...

Dr. Kristin Wegner is knowledgeable and well-versed in neurodiversity. She is neurodivergent herself, which leads to a greater understanding of her profession. Kristin earned her master's degree in special education and then began to work in the field of behavior. She fell in love with the opportunity she had to work with autistic children. She went back to school to become a clinical psychologist...