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...
Jun 29, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 97
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 meltdown. Greg and Jess are getting real about the difference between tantrums (where kids are totally in co...
Jun 06, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 96
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 struggles, and finding moments of joy along the way. She also discusses her children’s book, "The Very Bes...
Apr 24, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 95
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 of emotional, physical, and spiritual exhaustion, Will shares how the Holy Spirit met him in his pain. N...
Mar 29, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 94
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 her. You don’t want to miss this episode! Full Spectrum Parent is proud to be part of the Christian Par...
Mar 17, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 93
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. Episode Highlights: • Scott LeRette shares his family's emotional journey raising a child with multiple diagnoses • ...
Feb 17, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 92
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 ways she has connected to and supported her sister and her family on their special needs journey. You do...
Jan 30, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 91
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 find practical and spiritual guidance to help you grow into the perfectly imperfect parent you want to be...
Jan 13, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 90
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 apart. Full Spectrum Parent is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical a...
Dec 24, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 89
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 Spectrum Parent is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual guida...
Dec 09, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 88
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 and forth in your mind on this topic, you don’t want to miss this episode. Full Spectrum Parent is a p...
Nov 14, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 87
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 before. If you have a child that continually resists demand and you may have chalked it up as defiance, y...
Oct 18, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 86
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 Spectrum Parent is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual guidanc...
Sep 29, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 85
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 shares transparently about the seasons of life autism has dragged him through and how he has learned to ca...
Sep 13, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 84
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 ahead of many of us on this autism journey, Carrie shares her wisdom on how to navigate this difficult tran...
Jul 18, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 83
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 they will need. In Episode 82, I invite my friend and fellow autism mom, Kelly Werwie, to join me as...
Jul 07, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 82
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 kids on the spectrum for 31 days! Click here to order Jessica’s new book, Unlimited Motherhood: Overco...
Jun 20, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 81
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 remember that life is a paradox: it’s beautiful and terrible all at the same time, but God promises to w...
Jun 07, 2024•25 min
Glass children are the typical kids in a special needs family who often feel invisible because their parents are consumed with caring for their special needs sibling. If both kids were standing side-by-side, the parents often see right through the typical child, as if they are made of glass. In Episode 79, we share the struggles we have had attending to the needs of our three typical children when our two kids on the spectrum demand so much of our time and energy. We offer 4 Tips for Parents to ...
May 10, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 79
Pregnancy is a an exciting time. Future parents throw the baby shower, study “What to Expect When You’re Expecting”, and dream about their tiny soon-to-be-bundle. But what happens when things don’t go as expected? Rachelle Keng is an author, a special needs mom, and a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist. As an OBGYN, she has cared for women through normal pregnancies and she has also cared for mothers when they experience reproductive and parenting grief. If your pregnancy or parenting...
Apr 25, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 78
As parents, we often develop a savior complex. We want to protect our kids from harm, provide for their every need, and teach them everything that they need to know. But no parent—no matter how great—can be everything to everyone. In Episode 77, Becky Beresford joins us to share how, as an autism mom, God has moved her from a place of self reliance to God dependence. If you’re tired of trying to be all the things to all the people in your life, this episode is for you! Becky Beresford is a Chris...
Apr 12, 2024•37 min
As parents, we want to push our kids to be the best they can be. But as special needs parents, it’s hard to determine what the best looks like for our kids. Oftentimes. when our kids lag behind in their milestones and it’s easy to give up hope. In Episode 76, we talk candidly about setting realistic expectations for our kids on the spectrum as we define the difference between GIVING UP and GIVING GRACE. Click here to order Jessica’s new book, Unlimited Motherhood: Overcome 12 Limits that Overwhe...
Mar 28, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 76
Jessica’s book, Unlimited Motherhood hits shelves March 19th, so we decided to give listeners a peek behind the veil of publishing. In Episode 75, Jessica shares how writing was never on her radar and how God lead her to abandon her plans of teaching and start ministering through the written word. Jess also shares the miraculous ways God is moving in the weeks and months before the book releases and how you can be a part. If you feel overwhelmed and limited by motherhood but you know God has mor...
Mar 15, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 75
Hiddenness is not something that is often talked about in parenting, but the truth is, parenting young children or special needs kids can often cause you to feel isolated and alone. In Episode 74, in honor of Jessica’s upcoming book, we share about our hidden season. Rather than fighting it, we offer four tips on how you as parents can learn to embrace this season for all it’s worth. If you want to order Unlimited Motherhood, you can preorder here: https://a.co/d/4yxk5AG Full Spectrum Parent is ...
Mar 04, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 74
Parenting is the hardest job on the planet and if you are blessed to have a partner to tackle this feat with, you want to both be on the same page. In Episode 73, we offer four tips that we have applied in our own parenting journey to ensure we are working as a unified front to raise our kids well. Also, in Honor of Valentine’s Day we’re giving away $100 gift card to TJMaxx and a $50 gift card to Starbucks to one lucky parent who preorders Jessica’s book, Unlimited Motherhood by Feb 14th Pre-Ord...
Feb 09, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 73
Entering a New Season: We are launching a new season on the Full Spectrum Parent Podcast and we thought we’d talk about just that—seasons. As parents, seasons come and go, and each season we encounter blessings and challenges. In Episode 72, we share how God has promised us a season of joy and how often the enemy tries to rob us of that joy. While sharing an update on our life and kids, we encourage listeners that the joy Jesus offers isn’t based upon our circumstances but is a gift we can exper...
Jan 25, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Parenting tests us, tries us, and reveals our character. Some seasons are full of joy and excitement, while other seasons are dry and barren. But how do we navigate the seasons when we have nothing left to give as a parent? In Episode 71, Faith Eury Cho shares candidly about her own wilderness season. Rather than allowing bitterness to seep in, Faith pressed into God and found a friendship with the Holy Spirit she had never know before. If you’re walking through a dry season, you don’t want to m...
Dec 14, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 71
Marriages that weather the storms of life are a rarity. When we throw in the demands of caring for a child with special needs, most marriages just don’t make it. We know as parents we need to invest in our spouse, but how do we do that when so much of our attention is devoted to our children with special needs? In Episode 70, we interviewed Todd and Kristin Evans on how they cultivate a healthy marriage. Dr. Todd and Kristin Evans are award-winning authors, speakers, and parents of two children ...
Nov 30, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Last week my daughter snagged a copy of the Amazon Christmas catalog and began circling almost every toy on every page. I cringed because as a Christian parent, one of the virtues we all want to instill in our kids is gratitude. In Episode 69, boy mom, author and podcaster, Laurie Christine shares practical tips on how she cultivates a heart of gratitude in her kids. Check out Laurie’s free printable activities for families called The Gift of Gratitude. To learn more about Laurie, listen to her ...
Nov 16, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Sensory Processing Disorder is a condition where the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes through the senses. In Episode 68, we discuss our kid’s sensory challenges and the tips and tricks along the way we have picked up. 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
Nov 02, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 68
