Podcast
Full Spectrum Parent: Christian Autism Support | Special Needs Parenting | Faith & Autism Resources
Hosted by Greg and Jessica Hurlbut and Christian Parenting · EN
Welcome to Full Spectrum Parent - the premier Christian podcast for autism and special needs parenting. Join pastors and autism parents Greg and Jessica Hurlbut as they share Biblical wisdom, practical strategies, and authentic encouragement for your special needs journey.
Each episode delivers a dose of help, a dose of humor, and a dose of hope. Greg and Jessica offer practical help for daily challenges, genuine humor to lighten your path, and faith-filled hope to strengthen your spirit.
Whether navigating IEP meetings, sensory challenges, or seeking God's purpose in special needs parenting, you'll find understanding and community here.
As part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network, Full Spectrum Parent combines clinical insights with Biblical truth to support your family's unique needs.
For more parenting resources and spiritual guidance, visit www.ChristianParenting.org.
New episodes are released biweekly to help you become the confident, faith-filled special needs parent God called you to be.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Seen, Known, Loved, the Story Behind the Movie, Learning You
2w ago00:23:51Tap to summarizeWhat 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 decision to donate 100% of proceeds to ACT, the nonprofit they founded to serve and encourage parents just like you. Grab your tissues and your people. This one's worth it. 💙Watch Learning You and Learn More:https://www.learningyoumovie.comFull Spectrum Parent is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Explore the Christian Parenting 2026 Gift Guide here: https://www.christianparenting.org/gifts/
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When They Don't Get It: Handling Judgment with Grace & Grit
4w ago00:29:49Tap to summarizeEvery 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 your reminder that you are not defined by what people see in thirty seconds. For every Christian parenting podcast listener who has ever felt misunderstood in this journey — this one's for you.Full Spectrum Parent is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit http://www.ChristianParenting.org Grab our free Morning Minute email devotional here: http://www.morningminute.org
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The Other Side Of Autism: Growing Up With Siblings on the Spectrum
Mar 1800:27:26Tap to summarizeWhat 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 mom or autism dad with typical kids in your home, this episode is for them just as much as it's for you. We talk about the caretaker role, feeling invisible, people-pleasing, guilt, and ultimately the unexpected gifts that come from a hard life you didn't choose.This episode is a must-listen for any special needs parenting family.Full Spectrum Parent is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org Grab our free Morning Minute email devotional here: http://www.morningminute.org
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When they Wander: Understanding Autism and Elopement
Nov 700:45:14Tap to summarizeThe 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
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Tylenol, Trump, and Parenting Trauma - What Autism Parents Need to Know
Oct 2400:32:50Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →BONUS: Praying for your kids this school year
Sep 800:12:05Tap to summarizeHey 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 your kids. Here is a sneak peek into week one:This first week is all about Noah—a man of incredible faith and obedience. While the world around him turned away from God, Noah walked in righteousness. Building the ark probably looked foolish to everyone else, but Noah trusted God’s word even when it didn’t make sense. That’s the kind of faith we want for our kids: to listen to God’s voice over any others and walk confidently with Him even when it means standing apart.If you love this episode and don’t have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, it’s not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And don’t forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes. Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses todayFollow Pardon the Mess on Apple or SpotifyFull Spectrum Parent is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
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You Bet Your Stretch Marks: Finding Your Purpose in Motherhood
Aug 2200:31:01Tap to summarizeFeeling 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 HalberstatAbbie 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 parentingPerfect 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 journeyKeywords:Christian parenting, motherhood purpose, special needs parenting, parenting encouragement, mom identity, legacy parenting, faith-based parenting, homeschool mom, parenting wisdom, motherhood struggles, Christian mom podcastFull 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
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Advocating For Your Kids When You're a People Pleaser
Jun 2900:26:25Tap to summarizeAre 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 childPerfect 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 parentingFull 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
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Power Struggles in Parenting
Jun 600:36:47Tap to summarizeAs 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 meltdown. Greg and Jess are getting real about the difference between tantrums (where kids are totally in control) and meltdowns (where they're absolutely not). Trust us, understanding this will be a game-changer for your autism parenting journey and your faith-based approach to discipline.Here's what we're diving into: • Why your typical parenting tricks aren't working with neurodivergent children (and it's not your fault!) • The one question that changes how you respond to autism meltdowns and challenging behavior • 3 simple Christian parenting principles that actually work with kids on the autism spectrumOur go-to strategies: 1. Relationship Over Compliance - Sometimes you gotta choose your battles 2. Choice Over Demand - Two options, both ones you're cool with 3. Love Over Fear - Because scared kids don't learn, they just surviveWhether you're dealing with a toddler who won't cooperate, a child with autism in a meltdown mode, or a typical teen who wants to push every button you have—this one's for Christian parents seeking God's wisdom in power struggles.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
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Navigating Single Parenting With a Child on the Spectrum
Apr 24, 202500:32:33Tap to summarizeRaising 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 struggles, and finding moments of joy along the way. She also discusses her children’s book, "The Very Best Baseball Game" which offers both comfort and inspiration.Whether you're flying solo or just need some autism parenting encouragement, this episode delivers our signature mix of HELP, HUMOR, and HOPE that will leave you feeling seen and supported on your special needs journey.Full Spectrum Parent is proud to be part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more practical and spiritual guidance on your parenting journey, visit www.christianparenting.orgTo grab the CP Gift Guide visit https://www.christianparenting.org/articles/gifts/To learn more about Katie Blackburn and her newest book, visit www.katiemblackburn.com#AutismParenting #SingleParenting #SpecialNeedsSupport #AutismMom #SpecialNeedsParenting
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