Raising Autistic Disciples

Raising Autistic Disciples
  • 4.9 (40)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Daily

Hey there! Are you a parent, caregiver, or friend of someone on the autistic spectrum? Do you also desire to steward, raise, and encourage them to love and follow Jesus? If so, you're in the right place! We believe that the gospel is for everyone, including our neurodiverse children. We know that raising children on the spectrum comes with its unique challenges and that discipleship methods may need to look different. That's why we're here to equip and encourage you on your journey to raising autistic disciples who know, love, and follow Jesus. We would love to connect with you and hear your story. If you have any questions or just want to say hi, please do not hesitate to email us at raisingautisticdisciples@gmail.com.

  1. Jun 4

    Communication through a Gospel Lens - Webinar

    You can find the webinar on YouTube here. How do we communicate the gospel in a way that serves the listener? In this webinar episode, Larah explores a biblical theology of communication and introduces the LEARN framework, a practical approach for discipling autistic individuals and others impacted by disability. Drawing from the ministry methods of Jesus, Larah explains why communication is not primarily about the speaker, but about helping the listener understand and engage with truth. Throughout the episode, you'll learn how to listen before speaking, enter another person's world, assume competence, respond with curiosity and patience, and nurture relationships over time. Larah also shares practical examples for parents, church leaders, and volunteers, including case studies involving a nonverbal child, a teen with social challenges, and an adult seeking belonging within the church. Whether you're discipling your own child, serving in disability ministry, or simply seeking to communicate more effectively, this episode offers a gospel-centered framework that can transform the way you connect with others. In This Episode Why communication is a ministry to the listener Examples of how Jesus adapted His teaching methods The LEARN framework for disability discipleship Why flexibility is a ministry tool, not a compromise The importance of assuming competence Coaching volunteers to respond with curiosity instead of correction Building trust through long-term relationships Practical case studies for children, teens, and adults Using visuals, routines, and sensory supports in discipleship Strengthening the partnership between parents and churches Resources available to support gospel conversations at home and churchKey Takeaways Communication serves the listener, not the speaker. Effective discipleship begins with understanding before instruction. LEARN: Listen First, Enter Their World, Assume Less, Respond with Curiosity & Patience, Nurture Relationships. Behavior should not automatically be interpreted as lack of understanding. Small accommodations often create significant opportunities for gospel engagement. Trust is often the bridge that allows truth to be received. Parents and churches accomplish more when they work together. You don't have to do everything at once. Start small somewhere.Notable Quotes"You can't disciple someone you refuse to understand.""Flexibility is a ministry tool, not a compromise.""Assume competence until proven otherwise.""Seek understanding before solutions. Respond with curiosity and patience.""The truth travels best through trust.""Start small somewhere."Resources MentionedLetters to Lindsey: Seeing Your Child's Autism Diagnosis Through a Gospel Lens

    50 min

  2. May 22

    The Gift of Friendship on the Hard Road

    In this episode of Raising Autistic Disciples, Larah sits down with her friend Kari Baker for a conversation that didn’t go as planned in the best way. What started as a simple podcast recording turned into an honest, heartfelt conversation about friendship, waiting on God, the struggle of wanting answers now, and the temptation to reach for control when life feels uncertain. Together, Larah and Kari talk about autism parenting, faith, social media, idols, patient endurance, and the gift of having people in your life who can help hold your arms up when the road feels heavy. Kari also shares about her ministry, KIND Families, her journey as an autism mom, and the heart behind her book Finding KIND. More than anything, this episode is a reminder that when the path feels lonely and hard, God often shows His kindness by sending faithful friends to walk with us. If you are raising an autistic child and feel tired, overwhelmed, or alone, this conversation will remind you to look to the Lord, receive the gift of friendship, and keep trusting that He is sustaining you on the journey. In this episode: Why waiting on God feels so hard The temptation to grab control when life feels uncertain Friendship as one of God’s kind gifts in hard seasons Honest conversation about faith, parenting, and endurance Encouragement for autism moms who feel aloneYou can find Kari on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kariabaker/ or at kindfamilies.com. Kari's book "Finding Kind" was influential in Larah's life, grab your copy here.

    47 min

  3. Apr 16

    Understanding PDA Through a Gospel Lens

    In this episode of Raising Autistic Disciples, Larah sits down with her friend Angie for an honest, VERY vulnerable, practical, and gospel-centered conversation about PDA, or Pathological Demand Avoidance. Larah comes into this conversation the same way many parents do, with questions. What is PDA really? How does it show up in everyday life? How do you parent a child who experiences demands, correction, and ordinary expectations in a very different way? And how do you hold on to a gospel lens while learning new ways to understand your child? Angie helps walk through the core traits often connected to a PDA profile, while also giving parents language, examples, and encouragement for the moments that can feel confusing, exhausting, or misunderstood. Together, they talk about nervous system survival, regulation, masking, parenting misconceptions, and why understanding how our kids are wired can help us better disciple them. This episode is especially for the parent who has felt overwhelmed, behind, or unsure where to even begin. You are not failing by learning as you go. And learning your child more deeply is not moving away from discipleship. It is part of faithful stewardship. In this episode: What PDA is and why many parents are still learning about it How PDA can affect everyday parenting moments Why demands, chores, and correction can feel so intense for some kids The difference between behavior that looks defiant and a nervous system in survival mode How to think about PDA through a gospel-centered lensLinks Mentioned:How to know if your child is PDA @ At Peace Parents:https://www.atpeaceparents.com/clarity Extreme Demand Avoidance Questionaire:https://share.google/d7zSPbSOdN8vfBpze New ESA-8 questionnaire:https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/resources/extreme-demand-avoidance-8-item-measure-eda-8/ PDA North America:https://pdanorthamerica.org/

    1h 12m

  4. Apr 2

    When Parenting Feels Overwhelming = Slow Down

    In this episode of Raising Autistic Disciples, Larah sits down with her friend Tiffany Long for a real and encouraging conversation about parenting, autism, and learning to slow down when life feels overwhelming. Tiffany shares her family’s journey after her sons autism diagnosis and the lessons God has been teaching her in this season of parenting. Together they talk about the importance of creating margin, resisting the pressure to “figure everything out” immediately, and learning to trust that God is still working even when we can’t see the full picture. They also discuss the early days after diagnosis, the fear and uncertainty parents often feel, and why slowing down can actually help us better understand and support our children. If you’re an autism parent who feels like you’re constantly trying to keep up, this conversation will encourage you to breathe, take the next step faithfully, and trust that God is at work in both you and your child.

    57 min

  5. Mar 26

    Tell the Story - How to Talk To Your Autistic Kid About Easter

    Find the guide here: https://mailchi.mp/57d52c1801c7/tellthestory  A lot of Christian parents want to talk about Easter with their kids… but when the moment comes, they freeze.  What do I say? How do I explain the gospel simply? Am I doing this right?  On this podcast, Larah walks through a simple, biblical way to share the Easter story with your kids using the “Tell the Story” method, one sentence at a time.  This approach is rooted in God’s design for discipleship in Deuteronomy 6, the power of storytelling, and a method used in missionary training around the world.   It’s especially helpful for parents raising autistic kids because it leans into clear language, repetition, predictable structure, and concrete, visual moments.  But most importantly, it takes the pressure off.  You don’t have to give a perfect explanation. You don’t have to cover everything at once.   You just tell the story.   One sentence. One moment. One day at a time.   And trust God to do what only He can do.  In this video, we talk about why storytelling is one of the most powerful ways kids learn, how God designed faith to be passed down through everyday life, why this method works so well for autistic kids, how missionaries use story to share the gospel, and a simple way to walk through the Easter story step by step.  Here’s a simple reminder for you as a parent.   You are not responsible for the outcome.  Your role is gospel proclamation and gospel saturation.  God is responsible for the transformation.  If you’re raising an autistic child and trying to disciple them in the gospel, you’re not alone.   And you don’t have to make this complicated.  Just tell the story.

    20 min

  6. Feb 27

    The School Board Wasn't Expecting This Kind of Advocacy

    Sometimes autism parenting feels like you’re making high-stakes decisions with incomplete information. School. Therapies. Doctors. The constant “what if.” The pressure to pick the perfect path and never regret it. In this episode, Larah sits down with her friend Nicole (mom of six boys) to talk about what it looks like to advocate for your autistic child without losing your peace or your witness. Nicole shares what led her to speak at a school board meeting, how she prepared, and what anchored her in the room: identity in Christ. They talk about decision-making through a gospel lens, why boldness doesn’t have to be loud, and how to walk forward in freedom when you can only see one step at a time. Inside the episode: How to advocate without yelling, spiraling, or burning bridges Why behavior change can’t come first (it has to start at the root) Making school/therapy decisions with prayer, wisdom, and margin “Lamp, not flashlight” faith for moms who want clarity now The freedom to pivot when something stops workingIf you’re tired of carrying the weight of every decision like it’s forever… this one will exhale for you. Find Nicole on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicole_cattelona/How to Advocate & Stay Christian - https://amzn.to/40yaEme

    1h 15m

  7. Feb 20

    Sourdough & Raising Autistic Disciples

    What does sourdough have to do with an autism diagnosis? More than you think. In this episode of Raising Autistic Disciples, I sit down with Courtney Moody of Acts of Sourdough to talk about motherhood, marriage, discipline, safe foods, Domino’s pizza… and what happens when the sky “isn’t blue anymore” after receiving a diagnosis. Courtney shares candidly about: The guilt that creeps in with every questionnaire The “tango” between “It’s my fault” and “It was always going to be this way” Navigating the controversial conversations around obedience and autism Loving your child without clipping their wings Protecting your marriage when the weight of parenting feels overwhelming And why a diagnosis is an open door — not the driver’s seatWe talk about tough love, safe foods, spiritual surrender, and the beauty of raising autistic children for God’s glory — even when it feels exhausting. This conversation is honest, layered, and full of grace for the mom who just walked out of an evaluation appointment cross-eyed and overwhelmed. If you are in the early days of diagnosis…If you’re wrestling with guilt…If you’re learning how to love your spouse while loving your child fiercely… This one is for you.

    53 min

  8. Feb 13

    I'm Not Trying to Convince You (A Better Way to Have Hard Conversations) with Barb Stanley

    Larah kicks off the 2026 season with a conversation that sets the tone for every interview to come. Her guest is Barb Stanley, founder of Wonderful Works Ministry—and also a mentor who helped Larah put words to something so many special needs parents feel but can’t always articulate: You don’t have to convince people. You can share your story and invite them to consider your lived experience.This episode is for the parent who is tired of defending. For the church member who wants to advocate without blowing up. For the leader who wants to listen well in a world that feels allergic to disagreement. Barb offers a practical, gospel-minded framework for staying calm, staying curious, and staying relational—even when the topic is emotional, personal, and high-stakes.About Barb StanleyBarb is the founder of Wonderful Works Ministry, an online disability ministry resource center equipping churches with practical tools for inclusive discipleship. Growing up with a brother with autism and intellectual disability, Barb combines lived experience with creative skills in design, writing, and illustration to make resources churches can actually use.https://www.wonderfulworksministry.org/

    57 min
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4.9
out of 5
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About

Hey there! Are you a parent, caregiver, or friend of someone on the autistic spectrum? Do you also desire to steward, raise, and encourage them to love and follow Jesus? If so, you're in the right place! We believe that the gospel is for everyone, including our neurodiverse children. We know that raising children on the spectrum comes with its unique challenges and that discipleship methods may need to look different. That's why we're here to equip and encourage you on your journey to raising autistic disciples who know, love, and follow Jesus. We would love to connect with you and hear your story. If you have any questions or just want to say hi, please do not hesitate to email us at raisingautisticdisciples@gmail.com.

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