ABOUT THE FOUNDER

                                                                          L. Michelle V. Touw
                                                                           Autism Specialist
                                                                 Founder of Spectrum Services 

In 1975, when asked to help a friend at a summer program, I encountered  autistic children for the first time.  The director lent me  "A Circle  of Children" written by one of their teachers, Mary MacCracken.  I read  it straight through that night and knew this was what I wanted to do  with my life.
 

Since then I've have been passionate about teaching children  and young adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)* how to make  sense of the world, to relax, have fun with others, become confident and  realize their full potential. 

My philosophy is to first understand the student, then select the approaches and materials that will work for that student (versus training them to fit into a 'program'). Life is not a program!

Over  the years I acquired expertise in several teaching  approaches from the early psycho-dynamic developmental model (a therapeutic, relationship-oriented method) through  Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Cognitive-Behavior methods.  I  employed them along with the best practices and materials which I found most efficacious for my students. 
 

I worked with individuals aged 2-27 at the League School of Boston, at  public schools in Lincoln & Marlborough, MA, and in the early  intervention programs Merrimack Special Education Collaborative  &   Community Healthlink Lipton Early Intervention.  I also privately  tutored clients. I provided them with all the skills and confidence to be successful  individuals while retaining their wonderful gifts and unique  personalities.
 

In 2000  the Western Massachusetts Special Educators  Conference invited me to present. Although rather nervous, my 3 hour  presentation was well received abd I was honored to be invited back 6  times, including providing a 6 hour class as well.  Over the next 12  years I made a few presentations a year, conducted staff trainings and worked with private clients  while continuing to teach full time. 
 

In 2012 I left full time teaching  to focus on operating Spectrum  Services.  Then, in 2017, 40 years after my first year as an autism  teacher, I retired from teaching.  I now wish to use this site to share  my vast library of tips and techniques in every area- ADL, academics,  sensory, behavior and social realms.

In addition to continuing sharing with  the autistic community, I enjoy gardening, playing tennis and traveling  the world with my Dutch husband.
 

Degrees:

B. S Psychology  with a  Double major with Education K-12 – Skidmore College -1977
 

M. Ed. - Severe Special Needs   -Lesley College -1978

Certifications: 

Special Education Teacher (1978-2006) -Massachusetts

Teacher K-12, (1977-2006)- New York then Massachusetts

 Preschool (1982-2006) - Massachusetts

CPR, AED & First Aid 1977-2017

           *ASD includes Autism, Aspergers, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder