Meet Michele Portlock | Autism Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michele Portlock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michele, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business is simple. I was in the middle of my Master’s program and I was learning so much about behavior and how to help meet the needs of autistic and neurodivergent children. I thought to myself, raising my autistic children has been particularly challenging. There is so much to know and so many frustrating experiences that could have been made easier if I’d had someone I could have talked to about the ins and outs of available resources, effective therapies, tools to use in my own home, education experiences, and just a better understanding of sensory processing disorder and how self-regulation plays such a huge role in keeping our children grounded. I felt like I had to work so hard to make small gains in my overall understanding as a parent raising multiple autistic and neurodivergent children. I realized then that I could be that person for other parents.

I could lead people to effective resources, useful tools, productive therapies, and just basic adjustments that could be made within their own homes. This led me to launch Navigating the Spectrum, LLC as well as start a podcast called Navigating the Spectrum that focuses on autism and neurodivergence.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a connector. I feel a sense of deep satisfaction when I can connect another parent to a meaningful resource that benefits their family. One of the methods I use is called LUMA. LUMA was designed for the business world, typically professionals such as consultants that need to pinpoint the true needs of their clients. My husband trained me in LUMA and I now use this method to help pinpoint the real needs of a family. I love using the techniques from LUMA and feel like what I bring to the table through the use of this resource helps to create a solid plan for each individual family. A plan that is structured just for them. Together we are able to tackle their needs in order of importance and value to them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend come and visit me here in Colorado I would 100% take them to the mountain towns. We would rent bikes and ride through a town a day, stopping to hit favorite shops along the main streets in Breckenridge, Frisco, and Vail. One restaurant we would not miss in Frisco is the Butterhorn Cafe. Their menu is full of flavor and unique food combinations. We would paddl- board on the North Pond in Silverthorne and hike one of the dozens of beautiful trails around the area. We would have to visit the troll in Breck and walk through the many art and photo galleries. And we would end our trip in Steamboat springs by eating at the Creekside Cafe and enjoying an evening at the rodeo and natural hot springs. You just can not beat the Colorado mountain towns.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I can truly say that I would not be where I am right now without the support of my husband. Going back to school after taking such a long break to raise my family was extremely challenging and he supported me every single step of the way. I remember joining a google meet for the first time and I could not get my volume to work. So my husband crawled across the floor and poked his head up just enough to fix my technical troubles and then he crawled back out of the room. He continued to show up and help me with the small things throughout that two-year process. Plus, he listened patiently to me as I worried about my grades through every unit I completed. I did not realize my perfectionist ways until I went back to school. Thank goodness for the patience of my husband and children.

Website: www.micheleportlock.com

Instagram: @navigating.the.spectrum

Other: Podcast: Navigating the Spectrum with Michele Portlock