Michelle Morcate, M.S.Ed. has spent the last 21 years supporting autistic children and their families and the past 15 years supporting her own neurodivergent children. Her first volunteer position at UF Shand’s Autistic inpatient unit sparked a passion for working with the autistic community that has continued throughout her career. Michelle has a long history with the CARD centers, beginning as an intake support specialist at USF CARD and continuing as an Autism Support Specialist at UM-NSU CARD for 5 years. She consulted with UM-NSU CARD as a reading specialist for the 2021 virtual summer camp and returned in 2023 for her master’s in social work internship. Michelle currently works in her private practice, offering group and individualized play-based teacher interventions supporting autistic and other neurodivergent students in social emotional learning, interoception, co-regulation, and reading. As a lifelong learner who continues to learn from all the voices in the field of child development, disability, and education, she values the perspective of those with lived experiences. She is currently pursuing her master’s in social work from Florida State University and completing trainings in Synergetic Play Therapy, AutPlay Therapy, and Cothu Train the Trainer parent program. Previously, she earned a Masters in Exceptional Student Education with a specialization in Reading from the University of Miami and a BA in Anthropology from the University of Florida.

Financial disclosure:

I have a private practice, Michelle Morcate LLC, consulting and tutoring children and families. Conference admission has been paid.

Nonfinancial disclosure:

I am a graduate student in social work at Florida State University. At the time of this submission, I am a social work intern at UM-NSU CARD, however, this internship will be complete by the time of the presentation.