Navigating the Spectrum with Michele Portlock

If you have ever worried about the employment future of your neurodivergent child, then this episode is just for you. Anthony Pacilio is recognized domestically and internationally as an expert in neurodiverse employment and currently serves as Vice President of CAI Neurodiverse Solutions. Anthony discusses the Talent Discovery program implemented with the goal of getting to know the strengths of...

Brielle is autistic and is currently attending college. Together we talk about accommodations she receives from her University and specific opportunities she has had due in part to being autistic. Brielle is witty, honest, hilarious, and a solid communicator. She is my oldest child, and we've been through some challenging experiences together in the past. I am so proud of who she is and in her mis...

Danish Mumtaz is a father to an autistic teenage son living in Pakistan. Danish has tapped into his own skillsets to create a social media platform centered on autism. Together, Danish and I discuss needs within the autism community at large, and how legislation is needed to help bring more resources to autistic families, as well as awareness within communities.  Danish is dynamic and passionate a...

Linc-d was created by Marisa Bentley to connect the autistic and disabled community together through art. Marisa's website includes her Artists in Residence and the many forms of art media each artist has for sale through Linc'd. Artists of all abilities are welcome and can send their art to Linc'd and then watch Marissa turn their art into sellable products such as mugs, notecards, socks, and muc...

Kirsten Hobbs is a wife and mother of four boys, three of which are autistic. Her boys are ages 18, 15, 13, and 8. Together we talk about how autism presents differently in each individual. We also discuss the impact autism has had on her youngest, neurotypical child. Kirsten is open and honest about the challenges and the beauty. Take a listen and find out for yourself. 

Jared and Amy Allen live in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They are the parents of 5 children, including an adult son who was recently diagnosed with ASD. Jared, Amy, and their family have worked hard together to create their family lavender farm; School Bell Flower Farm. And my favorite part is how they have involved their autistic son, Noah, after all, he was their inspiration. 

Dr. Nicole Gurash earned her doctorate in psychology and is also an LMFT and BCBA that provides compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed therapy for individuals, couples, and families. She works with many autistic individuals, individuals with ADHD, couples that include either one or both diagnoses, and families trying to navigate this world together. Take a listen and learn from h...

Whitney is a mom to four boys. Her oldest son is autistic and experienced bullying for an extended period of time. Together Whitney and I discuss the steps she took to get her son what he needed in order to feel safe in his education journey. 

Rosie's Ranch strives to "provide an inclusive therapeutic riding environment where children, with and without special needs, are able to connect with an equine partner and each other under the guidance of qualified staff, building self-confidence, literacy, and language skills through educational and equine-assisted activities"(Rosiesranch.com).  Mary Mosher-States is the owner of Rosie's and she...

Jessica Beaty shares her own autism story. She is a wife and mother to two autistic children and during her parenting journey discovered her own autism diagnosis. Jessica is all heart and her experiences are raw and eye-opening. Take a listen for yourself. 

Brittany Strebel is a wife and mother of four beautiful children. Two of which she and her husband adopted through the foster care program. Through her experience as a foster parent and then adoption, Brittany has learned a lot about connection and bonding with your child. Something that can be challenging under some circumstances. And something I believe we need to talk about more often. So, if y...

Lisa Brown is the Independent Living Specialist with Wyoming Independent Living. As a paraplegic herself, she is a fierce advocate for people with disabilities. Lisa is a wife and mother of a beautiful little girl. Lisa shares her expertise as a disability advocate as well as her own personal story. She is witty, humorous, and full of love for her disability community. 

Kimberly DowDell married her high school sweetheart and together they have four children. Three teenagers and their eleven-year-old son Jack. Jack was diagnosed with downs syndrome at birth and together Kimberly and I discuss that experience as well as the idea that it's okay for parents to grieve and also celebrate their children with additional needs. Kimberly is a loving and devoted mother as w...

Dawn has been a pediatric physical therapist for over 21 years working with children from birth through school age. She has a passion for sensory processing as well as attachment between parent and child. Not only can you feel Dawn's passion throughout this episode, but she shares realistic tools for parents and families. 

In this episode, Kelsey and I laugh about some of our parenting blunders. If you want to feel good about yourself as a parent and you need a good laugh, this is your episode. We get real about our experiences as parents of children with additional needs.  Kelsey is witty, hilarious, and an amazing mom to her two remarkable children. Take a listen and enjoy!

Taryn and Jess each bring their unique abilities and talents to the table to create a space where parents of special needs children can relate through the sharing of their own personal experiences. Both Taryn and Jess have beautiful baby girls with down syndrome that they brought into this world in 2020. They have come together to create @extraluckymoms. They sell apparel as well as work to normal...

Laura Smith, M.A. CCC-SLP is a 2014 graduate of Apraxia Kids Boot Camp, has completed the PROMPT Level 1 training, and the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP). She is the author of Overcoming Apraxia and has lectured throughout the United States on CAS (childhood apraxia of speech) and related issues. Currently, Laura is a practicing SLP specializing in apraxia at her clinic A Mile High Sp...

Wendy Thomas is a wife and mother of two boys. Her oldest son, Jack, is autistic. Together we discuss how Wendy has worked tirelessly to advocate for the educational needs of her oldest son. It all began when their family lived in Brazil for a time and it has continued after a move to San Francisco and now to Park City. Wendy has a special gift for finding local resources for her son Jack, no matt...

S2, E 37 is with Adeena Jacobson. Adeena is a wife and mother to four children. Her own personal experiences led her to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. And she shares those experiences with us in this podcast. Adeena earned her Master's in Special Education and is a licensed and board-certified behavior analyst. She is also the Chief Clinical Operator for BK Ventures. You can find BK Ventu...

S2, E36 with Jeff Silber is heartwarming and inspiring. Jeff is a 66-year-old single father who left the corporate world to earn his Masters in Special Education. He is currently completely another Masters in ABA therapy. He made these educational decisions in order to become the best version of himself as a father and also to help other children and parents within the autism and special needs com...

S2, E35 with Larissa Packer is a true lesson in how to manage your life while raising multiple autistic children with their unique needs. Larissa is a wife and mother of two autistic children. She is a technical editor and when she takes time for herself, she enjoys spending it with a good book. Larissa is insightful, real, and a strong example of learning how to navigate autism as a parent. Take...

Teva Johnstone is a social worker, psychotherapist, children's mental health consultant, and mother. You can follow her on Instagram at @neurocurioustherapist. Following Teva will be well worth your time. Her education, true heart, and wisdom all combine to create a beautiful and enlightening platform. She is also the owner of Blossom Child Therapy.  Together we discuss some of the traumas experie...

Amanda is a mother of two, her son is autistic. Amanda is an assistant principal, author of The Clouds that Chase Us: A Journey into Autism, founder of Emocet (bracelets that help children identify emotion), and she also started an organization called Autism Appititude where she helps parents through coaching. She is a single mom and very much down-to-earth and full of insight. Take a listen for y...

Episode 32 with Yulika is informative and heart-felt. Because Yulika Forman approaches autism with a kind heart and an intelligent mind. Yulika specializes in autism and co-occurring conditions as well as IEPs, parent coaching, and the coaching of neurodiverse adults. You can find Yulika on Instagram at @theexpertally. She is a solid resource. So follow along and decide for yourself. 

Jessica Beaty is a wife, mom, autism & ADHD advocate, and a Master IEP Coach. Both of her children were diagnosed with autism around the age of 4 1/2. Through the diagnoses process, Jessica discovered that she too is autistic. After feeling overwhelmed and confused during her son's kindergarten transition IEP meeting, she knew she had to simplify the special education process and support other...