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 lens


Links 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/

Understanding PDA Through a Gospel Lens

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.

When Parenting Feels Overwhelming = Slow Down

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.

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

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 working

If 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

The School Board Wasn’t Expecting This Kind of Advocacy

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 seat

We 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.

Sourdough & Raising Autistic Disciples

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 Stanley
Barb 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/

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

Welcome back to Raising Autistic Disciples! After a full year away from the mic, Larah and Colin Roberts are back with a “year in review” catch-up, a few honest laughs (yes… including the legendary Pooper Bowl anniversary), and a question Larah gets from other Christian parents all the time:

“I struggle to tell people my son has autism. I want him treated like every other child. How did you handle this?”

In this episode, Larah and Colin talk through the tension so many parents feel: wanting to protect your child from being defined by a diagnosis, while also realizing that hiding it can create more exhaustion, confusion, and isolation. They share practical ways they’ve learned to talk about autism in trusted circles, what to do when people respond with ignorant or hurtful comments, and why the gospel gives us freedom to be honest without shame.

They also preview what’s coming this season, including conversations with autism moms, church leaders, and friends with different perspectives—because we can disagree and still be kind… and still worship together.

In this episode, we talk about:

 * The one-year anniversary of potty training success (and why you should absolutely celebrate the wins)
 * Graham’s first airplane ride… and the “Great job, everybody. We did it!” moment
 * A scary summer eye injury, and how it revealed something important about strong connections to people, places, and experiences
 * Why not talking about autism can build emotional walls and make relationships harder
 * The difference between identity in Christ and the reality of a diagnosis as a helpful “map”
 * How to tell your trusted people before you feel like you have it all figured out
 * What to do when family or church folks say the wrong thing (“He’s not autistic… he just needs more discipline…”)
 * Why hiding a diagnosis can actually be unkind long-term
 * The role of the church and community: we need running partners, reminders, and perspective

Key takeaway:
Your autistic child is not something to be hidden. They are an image bearer. And the goal isn’t to make autism their identity—it’s to live in the freedom of truth, so others can understand, support, and walk with you.

Do I Tell People My Kid Is Autistic?

Join Collin and Larah as they discuss the question "why does life have to be so hard?" Why is the journey of raising an autistic kid have its challenges?

What verse in the Bible explains "why is this life so hard?"

Join the conversation! 

Why is Life so Hard?

Join Collin and Larah as they describe the Christmas adventures their family went on and what they learned from it that includes breaking out in hives, goldfish, snot, and blessing the Lord at all times.

Hives, Goldfish & Snot: the Christmas Recap

In this special episode of Raising Autistic Disciples, we’re joined by author JJ Levan, a passionate advocate and parent of an autistic son. Together, we explore the unique challenges and blessings of preparing your family—siblings, grandparents, and even close friends—to embrace and celebrate your autistic child’s God-given design.

JJ shares heartfelt stories from her own journey, practical wisdom, and biblical encouragement for fostering understanding and unity within your family. From navigating tricky conversations to creating a home where every member feels seen and loved, this episode is packed with insights to equip your family to reflect Christ’s love.

Join us for a conversation full of grace, hope, and actionable steps to prepare your family to thrive together!

JJ's book: He Meant You to Be You
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHPT7YN6



Prepping Your Family For Your Family

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.

Larah Roberts

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