Navigating the Spectrum with Michele Portlock

Latest Episodes:

E50 - Amy and Jared Allen Discuss their Son's Autism and Creating School Bell Flower Farm Feb 14, 2022

Show notes

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.

E49 - Dr. Nicole Gurash and Finding Neurodivergent Affirming Therapists Feb 06, 2022

Show notes

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 her expertise and personal experience.

E48- Whitney Mellor and Autism and Bullying Jan 30, 2022

Show notes

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.

E47- Rosie's Ranch and the Benefits of Equine Therapy Jan 23, 2022

Show notes

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 has three main passions in life. Spending time with her horses, teaching deaf children to communicate, and of course her own family. Rosie's has expanded their mission beyond just the deaf community and now also reaches all children with special needs as well as those without any additional needs.

Together Mary and I discuss the benefits of children connecting with an equine partner. One of which includes the child's natural inclination to think outside of themselves. Mary is engaging and full of love for the many children and youth she has spent time with over the years.

E46- Jessica Beaty and her own Autism Experience Jan 14, 2022

Show notes

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.

E45 - Brittany Strebel and Creating Attachment with Your Child Dec 19, 2021

Show notes

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 you are struggling with attachment and bonding issues with your child, this is worth the listen.

E44- Lisa Brown and Living Life as Paraplegic and Independent Living Specialist Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

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.

E43- Kimberly DowDell with Grieving and Accepting the Diagnoses Process Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

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 well as a Zumba instructor. You can find her @zumbakimberly where she shares stories about her son Jack, and she also motivates her followers with her Zumba workouts.

E42- Dawn Brauer Discusses Sensory Processing Disorder and Attachment Nov 28, 2021

Show notes

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.

E41- Kelsey Lyon and Parenting Experiences Nov 21, 2021

Show notes

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!

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