Navigating the Spectrum with Michele Portlock

Sheila Reilly is the Head of Star Academy and her background includes over 20 years of business, education, and healthcare management. Sheila is insightful, knowledgeable, and passionate about the families and the children she serves. Sheila shares multiple golden nuggets regarding post-high school life for our children with additional needs. This is worth the listen!

Episode 29 with Shirley Swope from Peak Parent Center is a fantastic free resource for parents wanting to learn more about advocating for their child within the school system. Take a listen and become inspired by Shirley's knowledge and wisdom. 

Rebecca Gage is a wife, mother of four, and a novelist. One of Rebecca's children is autistic and together we discuss what everyday life is like as a parent of an autistic child. Rebecca is intelligent, insightful, and a dedicated mother. 

Aaron is a husband and father of two, the youngest of which is autistic. Within his family's autism journey, Aaron learned what it can mean to truly advocate for your child. His family's experiences led him to write a book. Thirteen Doors is compelling, honest, and eye-opening. Together, Aaron and I discuss thoughts and ideas around the premise of his book. This is worth the listen. And Thirteen D...

Episode 25 with Lindsay Pratscher is an important episode as we discuss mental health and autism. Lindsay is a physician's assistant specializing in psychiatry. She is practical, down to earth and relatable. Together we discuss the importance of taking care of our child's mental health and what that can look like. This episode is worth the listen! 

The number one fear of parents raising special needs children is what will happen to their child once they, the parent, are no longer able to care for them. Episode 24 is a valuable resource for ALL special needs parents wondering how to best prepare for their child's future. Doug Nelson, attorney at law, teaches us about special needs trusts and important issues to consider. I highly encourage yo...

Rose is a speech-language pathologist as well as a board-certified behavior analyst ( a rare combination). Together we discuss resources that parents can tap into for the benefit of their autistic children. You can find Rose on Instagram @abaspeechbyrose where she shares useful resources as well as tips and tools for parents. She is a real go-getter and is constantly creating for the children and...

Anne is the founder and owner of @Autismsupermoms. This includes the Autism Supermoms magazine. She is the mother of five children, two of which are autistic and have very different needs. Anne is full of love and compassion for all those connected to the autism community. Her goal is not only to help educate others on autism, but also to provide emotional support to those that may be struggling....

Dr. Justin Coulson is intelligent, empathetic, wise, and witty. Together we discuss how parents can work through unmet parenting expectations. Justin's thoughts are brilliant and inspiring. I just know you will enjoy this episode.

Tara is a speech language pathologist with a master's degree in Communicative Disorders plus a minor in Early Childhood Education with an Autism Certificate from Hamline University. She has 21 years of experience and she took that experience and began to create resources for teachers and families with autistic students and children. You can follow her on @autismlittlelearners on Instagram and gain...

Nicole Ponder is a wife, mother of four, and also a certified brain health coach through Amen University. She has created a business called Life Coaching with Values and has helped numerous people through their own speed bumps in life. She is also a mom to a beautiful child with special needs. Nicole teaches us not only through the use of her education but also through her own personal experiences...

Episode 18 is with Jennifer Taylor. She is the founder and managing consultant of Jet Ed Consulting where she helps families find education options for their children with extra learning, emotional, and behavioral needs. Jennifer is engaging, intelligent, and motivated and I thoroughly enjoyed her insight and wisdom. I hope you enjoy!

In this episode, I discuss what I have learned over the years about emotional intelligence as it relates to parenting. It's short and sweet. I hope you enjoy it!

Kerry is an award-winning professional speaker and best-selling author who's on the autism spectrum. Kerry regularly speaks at schools, businesses, parent groups, nonprofit organizations and other special events on topics ranging from but not limited to disability, innovation, school bullying, the power of communication, diversity, workplace bullying, leadership and much more.  Our podcast togethe...

My husband and I had the opportunity to interview a dear friend of his, and now mine as well. Kira is a mother of four children. Each of her children have their own unique diagnosis and Kira has worked hard to learn how to advocate for them individually. I feel inspired by her actions as a mother and an advocate. I hope you feel inspired as well!

Natalie is just 18 months older than her sister Angie. Angie has previously been diagnosed with ASD and needs a little extra care. Natalie and her mom share guardianship of Angie. Natalie's experiences with autism as a sibling has lead her to specialize in her career path. What she does as a realtor is both heartwarming and helpful for families with special needs children. Take a listen and be pre...

This was a fun episode for me to record. My husband, Eric, joined me and we discussed successes and non successes we have experienced while raising our children diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Eric is the step-father to our three oldest children and we talk about what it has taken to come together as a family raising children with special needs. Eric is honest, engaging, funny, and thoughtful. I...

Episode 12 with Sara Bradford was a true delight. Sara and Dustin have been together since 2004, thanks to the flip of a coin. They raised Dustin's oldest daughter and added two more children to the mix as time went on. Together they discovered that Dustin, like their young son, was also on the autism spectrum. Sara shares insight into what their marriage has been like and the loving relationship...

Episode 11 with Nina Boling discusses the power of early intervention, autism supports, and levels of functioning, as well as recognizing that our children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are both particularly challenging and also particularly rewarding.  Nina is a mother of four children, three of whom have been previously diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Nina shares her journey w...

This is my longest podcast thus far, but I could not bare to get rid of any of what Kathleen shared. Kathleen was 32 years old when she was officially diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Kathleen shared her own diagnosis experience as well as her insight into what marriage is like on the spectrum. She also shared the feelings she dealt with being raised as an undiagnosed child.  Kathleen is i...

In this episode, I tapped into the knowledgeable Kelly Morgan. Kelly is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist who graciously gave of her time in order to help listeners better understand the difference between speech and language as well as the connection between communication and behavior.  Kelly shares multiple resources to help parents incorporate speech and language acquisition in thei...

It is common for children and adults on the autism spectrum to become fixated on specific topics, toys, movies, etc.  Learn how to guide their passions in healthy and productive ways. 

Emily is a wife and mother of two children who happen to be my niece and nephew. Emily is my former sister-in-law and we have continued to have a meaningful relationship for years. Emily is a life coach as well as a woman full of wisdom, acceptance, and love. To know her is to love her. Emily teaches us the importance of taking care of ourselves and also finding acceptance in our everyday lives as...

Michelle Huggins is a wife and mother of two children. She has a master's degree in special education and a deep love for the children and families with whom she works. In this episode we discuss the difference between an IEP and a 504 and give parents practical tips to help them successfully navigate obtaining an IEP for their child. 

Katie Bunker is a wife and mother of two beautiful children. Her oldest child, now 17 years old, was diagnosed with autism at age two. Katie shares her experiences, which include a lot of love and also challenges. Katie shared a beautiful quote with me after our interview that touched my heart: "At first it broke you, then it built you." -Fairysforum-  Katie is engaging and inspiring as she shares...