Katherine T. Lorelli – Director, Neurodivergent Mentor, and Autistic Self-Advocate
Katherine T. Lorelli is a dedicated leader in neurodiversity advocacy, bringing both lived experience as an autistic individual and professional expertise in child development and special education to her work. As Director at Spectrum Tech Trade School, Village, and Training Center, she plays a pivotal role in shaping inclusive educational strategies that empower neurodiverse individuals to thrive in vocational training and independent living. Katherine’s unwavering commitment to ethical, non-coercive approaches sets her apart as an innovator in autism mentorship and consulting, working to challenge outdated intervention models while amplifying the voices of neurodivergent individuals.
Academic & Professional Background
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Katherine earned her Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Relations, equipping her with a deep understanding of cognitive development, behavioral strategies, and educational frameworks that support neurodiverse individuals across all life stages. She has extensive experience in special education, having worked in both public and private school settings, where she gained firsthand insight into the challenges faced by autistic students and other complex learners.
Her tenure as a paraprofessional exposed her to institutional flaws within traditional special education, particularly the harmful impacts of compliance-based teaching methods. As a staunch advocate against restrictive and punitive interventions, she emerged as a powerful voice for change, calling for respectful, strengths-based approaches in classrooms and therapy settings.
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Founder & Neurodivergent Mentor
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Recognizing the critical need for autistic-led guidance, Katherine founded K.T. Lorelli Consulting, where she provides one-on-one mentorship and strategic consulting for autistic teens, adults, and families. Her mission is to help individuals embrace their neurodivergence, develop self-advocacy skills, and navigate life with confidence—without the use of ABA behavioral interventions.
She works closely with families to design customized, practical strategies that support their autistic loved ones while honoring autonomy, sensory needs, and emotional well-being. By challenging deficit-based models, Katherine introduces empowerment-driven frameworks that foster growth without coercion or forced assimilation.
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Advocacy & Ethical Reform
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Katherine has devoted her career to dismantling harmful stereotypes about autism and promoting ethical, person-centered approaches to neurodiversity. She challenges systemic biases in education and therapy, advocating for inclusive spaces that recognize and uplift autistic voices. Her expertise in child development, cognitive flexibility, and trauma-informed care allows her to educate families, educators, and professionals on ethical intervention methods that respect neurodivergent individuals.
Beyond her direct consulting work, Katherine is actively involved in community advocacy, speaking on panels, collaborating with professionals, and participating in initiatives that push for systemic change in neurodiversity inclusion. She is committed to reshaping the future of autism support, ensuring that neurodiverse individuals are not only accommodated but truly celebrated.
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Leadership at Spectrum Tech
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As Director at Spectrum Tech, Katherine brings a wealth of lived experience and professional expertise to the organization’s mission of empowering neurodiverse individuals through vocational training. Her leadership helps drive curriculum development, student support programs, and ethical training approaches that reflect the unique needs of Spectrum Tech’s learners. She ensures that students are met with compassion, understanding, and individualized guidance—fostering an environment where autistic individuals can thrive on their own terms.
A Catalyst for Change
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Katherine is a leading voice in the neurodiversity movement, working tirelessly to ensure authentic representation, ethical practices, and inclusive opportunities for autistic individuals. Her passion for mentorship, advocacy, and reform fuels meaningful change within educational and therapeutic spaces, paving the way for a future in which neurodiverse individuals are empowered to flourish—without compromise.
Through her expertise, leadership, and commitment to ethical autism support, Katherine continues to challenge outdated systems, elevate neurodiverse voices, and redefine what true inclusion looks like.
Click the link to visit her website.
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