Raising Autistic Disciples

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.

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.

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

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.

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/