Full Spectrum Parent: Christian Autism Support | Special Needs Parenting | Faith & Autism Resources

What does it really mean to see your child?  In Episode 104, we sit down with Tyler Sansom, filmmaker behind the powerful new movie Learning You — a story about a father discovering his son, and himself, for the very first time.  Tyler shares what inspired the film, what it was like working with actors who are living the special needs journey in real life, and why he and his team made the radical...

Every autism mom and autism dad knows the look. The stare in the grocery store. The unsolicited advice from a relative. The friend who quietly stops calling.  In this solo episode, I get honest about one of the hardest parts of special needs parenting — the judgment — and offer real, practical tools for handling it without losing yourself. Grounded in faith and packed with encouragement, this is y...

What does it really feel like to grow up as the typical sibling in a special needs family?  In this powerful follow-up to our Glass Children episode, I sit down with my oldest son Jeremiah — who grew up alongside two siblings with profound autism — for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what it cost him, what it shaped in him, and what he wishes more parents knew.  If you're an autism mo...

The scariest day of my life was the afternoon my five-year-old daughter on the spectrum went missing. The police were notified, we gathered a search party to scour the area, and an hour later we found her in a neighbor’s home, rummaging through their cupboards and playing with their poodle. I wouldn’t wish the fear that overtook me in that hour on my worst enemy. Yet, nearly half of children on th...

In this milestone 100th episode of the Full Spectrum Parent Podcast, hosts Greg and Jessica Hurlbut break down the Trump administration's controversial September 2025 autism announcement and what it means for special needs families navigating an increasingly complex landscape of information, advice, and medical decisions. Join us for an honest, unfiltered conversation about the recent FDA acti...

Hey friends, today we’ve got something special for you: a bonus episode straight from the Pardon the Mess podcast! Every Monday, host Courtney DeFeo shares a short prayer to help you lift up your kids. This year’s series follows Christian Parenting’s brand new prayer journal, A Great Cloud of Witnesses .  Each week highlights a biblical hero of the faith, paired with Scripture-based prayers for yo...

Feeling like you've lost your sense of purpose in the daily grind of motherhood? You're not alone. In this transformative episode of the Full Spectrum Parent Podcast, host Jessica Hurlbut sits down with bestselling author Abbie Halberstat to explore how mothers can rediscover meaning and intentionality in their parenting journey. Featured Guest: Abbie Halberstat Abbie is the bestselling au...

Are you struggling to advocate for your special needs child because you hate confrontation? You're not alone. In this episode of Full Spectrum Parent, host Jessica Hurlbut tackles one of the biggest challenges facing special needs parents: how to effectively advocate for your child when you're naturally a people pleaser. What You'll Learn:   •  Why people-pleasing hurts your child'...

As Christian parents, we desire for our kids to listen and obey the rules we set out for their safety and good, but what do we do when they refuse?  Whether you have a child on the spectrum, an obstinate toddler, or just a typical strong-willed kid—we’ve all been there. We find ourselves raising our voices, demanding compliance, and feeling defeated when our kids spiral into a full-fledged meltdow...

Raising a child with autism solo? You're not alone!  Join us for Episode 95 of the Full Spectrum Parent Podcast as host Jessica Hurlbut chats with Katie Blackburn - writer, teacher, and single mom to six kids, including her 10-year-old with severe autism. Katie gets real about the everyday challenges of autism parenting without a partner, sharing practical tips for managing therapies, school s...

Happiness is circumstantial. But joy comes from Jesus—it’s not based upon our circumstances.  Yet one of the hardest hurdles to conquer in our parenting is finding joy when life doesn’t change.  Episode 94 is part 2 of our 3-Part Series, Finding God in our Pain.  Christian Author Will Acuff joins the Full Spectrum Parent to share his journey of parenting a child with autism.  After hitting a wall...

Parenting is a gift from God and a beautiful journey. But if we’re honest, it’s also incredibly hard and sometimes heartbreaking.  In Episode 93 of the Full Spectrum Parent, we chat with Jenn Soehnlin about embracing the special needs life God has given us. Join us as we sit down with Jenn as she unpacks how to pray Scripture over your children and how this one act has become a game changer for he...

In this powerful episode of Full Spectrum Parent, we explore the extraordinary journey of Austin LeRette, a remarkable young man living with osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) and autism.  Join us as we sit down with Scott LeRette, Austin's father and author of "The Unbreakable Boy," to discuss their family's inspiring story of faith, resilience, and unconditional love....

We’ve all heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But when it comes to special needs parenting, often friends and family struggle knowing how to help.  In Episode 91, Dr. Kelly Cagle joins us as she shares the unique lessons she has learned as an aunt to her 17-year-old non-verbal nephew Isaac.  Rather than offering parenting advice or sympathy, Kelly shares some of the special wa...

This episode is dedicated to everyone’s favorite topic: food. Whether you have a child who is a picky eater and only consumes chicken nuggets or you have an overeater with no off switch—this episode covers it all.  We also talk about the gut-brain connection and our experience with special diets in regard to autism.  Full Spectrum Parent is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To fin...

For many, the holidays are filled with anticipation and awe. But for some of us, the holidays hurt.  Whether you just received a diagnosis, you lost a loved one, or you’re walking through a wilderness season—sometimes the Christmas season has a way of magnifying our pain.  In Episode 89, I share 3 unconventional Christmas traditions that have kept me grounded when my world felt like it was falling...

Teenage years are  a challenging time for any  parent, but when you throw autism into the mix, it’s a whole different ball game.  In Episode 88, Jessica reveals her fears and concerns around puberty while raising her daughter who struggles with severe autism. She then offers special needs parents  7 tips to mentally and practically prepare their child on the spectrum for the big “P” word.  Full Sp...

Fifteen years into our autism journey, my husband and I finally took the plunge and started our daughter Mara on medication. Pursuing medication for your child is not a decision parents should take lightly, but sometimes it’s a necessary step.  In Episode 87, we share our personal pros and cons after starting our daughter on Risperidone. If you have a child on the spectrum and you have gone back a...

The term PDA stands for Pathological Demand Avoidance and it’s a proposed disorder on the spectrum that involves an extreme resistance to everyday demands. I had never heard the term before until my friend Karen Dorsey mentioned some struggles with her grandson. As she shared her story, my eyes were opened and I began to understand my youngest daughter’s behaviors in a way I never considered befor...

I’m not a huge movie buff—but when I catch a film that moves me—especially when it centers around autism, I can’t help but recommend it. There is something about a story that causes you to drop your defenses and sneaks into the backdoor of your heart.  In Episode 85, we share two autism films that everyone should watch and why, whether you’re parenting a child on the spectrum or not.  Full Spectru...

As parents, it’s so easy to sacrifice our own mental health in order to care for the high needs of our kids on the spectrum. Our guest, Craig Holbrook, coined this life motto: “Boys live. Men sacrifice” as he cared for his 15-year-old daughter with Level 3 Autism. But that very motto drove him to burnout as he attempted to be everything to everyone.  Listen in as Craig opens up his heart and share...

As a special needs parent, when I think of the future it scares me.  Parents of kids on the spectrum often wonder what will happen to their children and fear what transition into adulthood will look like.  In Episode 83, we interview Carrie Cariello. Carrie is a mother of five and her son Jack is on the autism spectrum. He recently graduated and is now thriving as an adult.  Being a few steps ahea...

In 2012, our daughter received a diagnosis of “classic” autism. We had no idea what that meant. But a year later, the DSM 5—which is the “rulebook” used for diagnosing mental conditions—was published, creating what we know as the autism spectrum and different levels of need. If your child is diagnosed with autism, they will now be categorized as a Level 1, 2, or 3 based upon the amount of support...

Vacations are supposed to be a time to unplug, a time to laugh, and a time to enjoy just being with family.  But as special needs parents, traveling and vacations can be extremely stressful—to the point you need a vacation AFTER your vacation.  In Episode 81, we talk about our family’s cross-country RV roadtrip, sharing different tips and tricks we’re implementing as we attempt to travel with our...

Life with autism can sometimes feel like a roller coaster ride. The ups and down, twists and turns can often make our heads spin and our hearts sick. In Episode 80, Jessica shares openly about this past week and our struggles with our daughter Mara. Reflecting on a week full of highs and lows, we are reminded how quickly a good day can transition into a bad one. Jessica encourage listeners to reme...