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

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 the autism spectrum attempt to elope—making wandering one of the top safety concerns for autism parents 

In this episode, we share our own personal stories, discuss reasons why children on the spectrum elope, and offer practical strategies to keep them safe. If you or a loved one is a parent of a child on the spectrum, you won’t want to miss this episode. 

Full Spectrum Parent is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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 actions on leucovorin for autism speech deficits, the proposed Tylenol safety label changes for pregnant women, and what these announcements mean for parents of autistic children.

This episode offers more than clinical information—it's a conversation between two parents who understand the unique trauma of raising children with profound autism. 

We discuss the emotional toll of conflicting medical advice, the pressure of making "perfect" parenting decisions, and the isolation that comes when people want you to be "okay" but you're not.

Whether you're pregnant and worried about autism risks, parenting an autistic child and considering new treatments, or simply exhausted from navigating the special needs journey, this episode offers the understanding and support you need.

Full Spectrum Parent is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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 author of "M Is for Mama," "Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad," and her latest release "You Bet Your Stretch Marks." As a homeschooling mother of ten children (including two sets of twins), Abbie brings real-world wisdom to over 219,000 followers on her @Misformama Instagram account.

What You'll Discover:

  •  How to recognize when you've "lost the plot" in motherhood and practical steps to find your way back

  •  Navigating cultural pressures around motherhood, parenting regret, and societal expectations

  •  What it means to mother with a "legacy mindset" and how to apply it to everyday chaos

  •  Practical strategies for finding purpose in mundane moments - from fussy toddlers to endless to-do lists

  •  Scripture-based hope for the hardest seasons of parenting

Perfect for:

  •  Special needs parents seeking encouragement and perspective

  •  Moms feeling overwhelmed by daily parenting challenges

  •  Christian mothers looking for faith-based parenting wisdom

  •  Parents struggling with feelings of lost identity in motherhood

  •  Anyone needing a dose of hope, humor, and practical help in their parenting journey

Keywords:

Christian parenting, motherhood purpose, special needs parenting, parenting encouragement, mom identity, legacy parenting, faith-based parenting, homeschool mom, parenting wisdom, motherhood struggles, Christian mom podcast

Full Spectrum Parent is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. 

To find practical and spiritual guidance to help you grow into the perfectly imperfect parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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's advocacy efforts 

  •  The 4 root causes of people-pleasing behavior 

  •  Biblical strategies for overcoming people-pleasing tendencies

  •  How to shift from seeking human approval to God's approval when advocating for your special needs child

Perfect For Parents Who:

  •  Feel anxious about IEP meetings and school conferences

  •  Struggle to speak up when their child isn't getting proper support

  •  Want to be better advocates but fear being seen as "difficult parents"

  •  Need encouragement to prioritize their child's needs over people-pleasing

  •  Are looking for faith-based guidance on special needs parenting

Full Spectrum Parent is part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more resources and support for special needs families, visit cpgive.org.

Tags: #SpecialNeedsParenting #ChristianParenting #Peoplepleasing #ChildAdvocacy #IEPMeetings #SpecialEducation #ParentingPodcast #ChristianMom #SpecialNeedsAdvocate #ParentingStruggles