Full Spectrum Parent

With Greg and Jessica Hurlbut
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Podcast:

Full Spectrum Parent

With Greg and Jessica Hurlbut
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The Full Spectrum Parent Podcast is the only faith-based autism parenting podcast on the web. As pastors and special needs parents, each episode we offer parents a dose of help, a dose of humor, and a dose of hope.
All Episodes:
Jun 29 • 26:25
Advocating For Your Kids When You're a People Pleaser

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

Jun 6 • 36:47
Power Struggles in Parenting

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 kidweve 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 spectrum

Our 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 survive

Whether 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 havethis 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

Apr 24 • 32:33
Navigating Single Parenting With a Child on the Spectrum

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 childrens 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.org

To 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

Mar 29 • 40:05
Finding Joy When Life Doesn't Change

Happiness is circumstantial. But joy comes from Jesusits not based upon our circumstances. 

Yet one of the hardest hurdles to conquer in our parenting is finding joy when life doesnt 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. Now, he offers hope and direction for others on how to stay rooted in Christ when the storms rage around you. 

Learn more about Wills newest book: No Elevator to Everest at www.noelevatortoeverest.com

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.org

Mar 17 • 24:32
Finding God in our Pain & Embracing this Special Life

Parenting is a gift from God and a beautiful journey. But if were honest, its 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 dont want to miss this episode! 

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.org

About the Host

Greg and Jessica Hurlbut

Greg and Jessica Hurlbut are pastors in Upstate NY and parents of five kiddos; two whom struggle with severe autism, two adopted through foster care, and one typical teenage boy.

Greg and Jessica are huge adoption advocates. After adopting a sibling group of two from foster care in 2014, Jessica attempted to run 110 miles as a visual representation of the 110,000 kids currently in foster care who were freed to be adopted and in desperate need of a forever family.  This feat sparked an annual National Adoption Day Run where over 100 virtual and in-person runners gather to complete a 125-mile relay across St Lawrence County in 24 hours.

When facing the grim diagnosis of autism, they searched far and wide for Christian resources to help them walk this difficult road and found none. Through the Full Spectrum Parent Podcast, Greg and Jessica desire to be the person they needed. Each episode offers practical advice and hope to special needs parents—reminding them God is with them, for them, and will use all they have endured for his glory.

More from Greg and Jessica →