Dr. Katy Unwin joins Kate Morris and Dave Whittingham to explore vital strategies for supporting families with neurodivergent members within the context of church.

The discussion focuses on the sensory barriers that often hinder autistic individuals from engaging in church activities, highlighting the significant findings from Katy's recent research on this topic. She emphasizes that understanding these challenges is essential for fostering an inclusive community where all members can thrive. The trio delves into practical solutions, such as helping neurodivergent people to have some level of control, creating sensory roadmaps and encouraging flexibility within church settings to meet diverse needs. They tackle the complexity of accommodating differing sensory preferences, ultimately advocating for a church environment that welcomes everyone.

Takeaways:

• In this episode, Dr. Katy Unwin discusses both the sensory barriers and sensory enjoyment that autistic individuals may experience when engaging with church, emphasizing the positive impacts of awareness and accommodation.
• The conversation highlights the importance of control over sensory environments for autistic people, as it can significantly enhance their engagement and sense of community.
• Katy’s findings suggest that both autistic and neurotypical individuals appreciate certain sensory aspects of church services, indicating a shared enjoyment that can be leveraged to create inclusive environments.
• The podcast encourages parents to advocate for their neurodivergent children in church settings, offering practical strategies to communicate sensory needs to church leaders effectively.
• Throughout their discussion, the importance of creating sensory roadmaps for church services is emphasized, allowing families to prepare for the sensory experiences they may encounter.
• Finally, the speakers stress the need for churches to foster a culture of understanding and acceptance, enabling all members to participate without feeling overwhelmed or excluded.

Links referenced in this episode:

• autismchurch.com

Visit our website here

To financially support this podcast, donate at our GoFundMe page here.

To read helpful articles from Kate, head to her Substack page, An Extraordinary Normal

This podcast is a part of the Faithful God Network. Discover more great podcasts at faithfulgod.net

Kate and Dave dive into the complexities surrounding anxiety in neurodivergent children, particularly focusing on the role of the amygdala in their emotional responses.

They discuss how neurodivergent people may experience heightened anxiety due to their brain interpreting everyday stimuli as threats, triggering a fight, flight, or freeze response.

Kate and Dave offer insights into how parents and carers can support children by collaboratively reducing or mitigating triggers and incorporating strategies to regulate through the stress response.

Ultimately, they highlight the importance of compassion and understanding as parents equip their neurodivergent children with strategies to face the world with confidence.

Takeaways:

· Neurodivergent children often experience heightened anxiety due to their unique brain processing, impacting their daily lives.

· The amygdala plays a key role in interpreting stimuli, more often naming stimuli as threats in many neurodivergent people.

· Ongoing exposure to triggers can raise baseline anxiety levels in neurodivergent people, making it vital for parents and carers to understand their experiences.

· Reducing and mitigating triggers can reduce the frequency of the threat response.

· Developing strategies for emotional regulation is vital for helping neurodivergent children navigate daily challenges and reduce anxiety.

Visit our website here

To financially support this podcast, donate at our GoFundMe page here.

To read helpful articles from Kate, head to her Substack page, An Extraordinary Normal

This podcast is a part of the Faithful God Network. Discover more great podcasts at faithfulgod.net

To continue thinking about meltdowns, see Kate's 3-part series of articles here: https://anextraordinarynormal.substack.com/p/neurodivergent-meltdowns-part-1

Citations

Andrews, D. S., Aksman, L., Kerns, C. M., Lee, J. K., Winder-Patel, B. M., Harvey, D. J., Waizbard-Bartov, E., Heath, B., Solomon, M., Rogers, S. J., Altmann, A., Nordahl, C. W., & Amaral, D. G. (2022). Association of Amygdala Development With Different Forms of Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biological Psychiatry (1969), 91(11), 977–987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.01.016 - This study shows that in autism, differences in amygdala development are linked to higher anxiety.

Attwood, T. (n.d.). The impact of anxiety on daily life. Attwood and Garnett Events. https://www.attwoodandgarnettevents.com/blogs/news/autism-the-impact-of-anxiety-on-daily-life

Citkowska-Kisielewska, A., Rutkowski, K., Sobański, J. A., Dembińska, E., & Mielimąka, M. (2019). Anxiety symptoms in obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Psychiatria Polska,...

Kate and Dave dive into the complexities of life that can be both stressful and rejuvenating, focusing particularly on the experiences of neurodivergent children. They discuss how the love of God drives us to work hard on understanding and caring for our children. They highlight the importance of understanding attention differences, social experiences, and the need for predictability in daily routines. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize that while some aspects can be draining, others can provide energy and comfort. By the end, they reiterate the significance of curiosity and adaptability in parenting, encouraging listeners to tailor their approaches to meet the unique needs of their children.

Takeaways:

• The discussion emphasized the importance of understanding sensory processing differences to help neurodivergent children manage their environments effectively.
• Kate and Dave highlighted how attention differences can manifest in both rejuvenating and draining ways for neurodivergent individuals, impacting their daily experiences.
• They stressed the significance of predictability in routines for neurodivergent children, as it provides comfort and reduces anxiety about unexpected events.
• The speakers shared insights into the social experiences of neurodivergent children, particularly how they may appear fine outwardly while struggling internally during social interactions.

Visit our website here

To financially support this podcast, donate at our GoFundMe page here.

To read helpful articles from Kate, head to her Substack page, An Extraordinary Normal

This podcast is a part of the Faithful God Network. Discover more great podcasts at faithfulgod.net

Citations:

Attwood, T., & Garnett, M. (2023, July 17). Exploring friendship in high school [Video]. Attwood and Garnett Events. https://www.attwoodandgarnettevents.com

Kunchulia, M., Tatishvili, T., Parkosadze, K., Lomidze, N., & Thomaschke, R. (2020). Children with autism spectrum disorder show increased sensitivity to time-based predictability. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 66(3), 214–221. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2018.1564447

Raymaker, D. M., Teo, A. R., Steckler, N. A., Lentz, B., Scharer, M., Delos Santos, A., & Nicolaidis, C. (2020). “Having all of your internal resources exhausted beyond measure and being left with no clean-up crew”: Defining autistic burnout. Autism in Adulthood, 2(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2019.0079

Wolfberg, P., & Buron, K. D. (Eds.). (2024). Learners on the autism spectrum : preparing educators and related practitioners (Third edition.). Routledge.

Today’s discussion revolves around the intricate world of sensory processing differences, an essential topic for families with neurodivergent children. Kate and Dave dive into how sensory experiences can significantly affect children's ability to enjoy outings, such as trips to the zoo or playgrounds, often leading to unexpected meltdowns. They emphasize the importance of understanding how children process sensory information differently, which can help parents provide better support and foster loving environments. The conversation highlights practical strategies for parents to identify and accommodate their children's sensory needs, ultimately promoting resilience and well-being. By exploring these differences, they aim to empower families to navigate the complexities of sensory experiences with curiosity and creativity.

Takeaways:

• Understanding sensory processing differences is crucial for supporting neurodivergent children effectively.
• Parents often misinterpret sensory overload as misbehavior, leading to confusion and frustration.
• Sensory experiences are unique to each child, highlighting the need for personalized approaches and adaptations.
• Creating a supportive home environment helps children recharge, preparing them for the outside world.
• Being curious and collaborative with children about their sensory experiences can lead to better communication and understanding.
• Parents should observe their children's reactions to various sensory inputs to identify both draining and energizing stimuli.

Visit our website at https://www.faithfulgod.net/show/neurodivergence-family-and-faith/

To read helpful articles from Kate, head to her Substack page, An Extraordinary Normal

This podcast is a part of the Faithful God Network. Discover more great podcasts at faithfulgod.net

Find the chart/table we mentioned in the podcast here: https://anextraordinarynormal.substack.com/p/sensory-sensitivities-in-our-neurodivergent

For more information on sensory processing differences, see Kate's article here: https://anextraordinarynormal.substack.com/p/sensory-sensitivities-in-our-neurodivergent

To keep thinking about resilience and adapted homes, read Kate's article here: https://anextraordinarynormal.substack.com/p/creating-an-adapted-home

Citations:

Attwood, T. (n.d.). The impact of anxiety on daily life. Attwood and Garnett Events. https://www.attwoodandgarnettevents.com/blogs/news/autism-the-impact-of-anxiety-on-daily-life

Attwood, T., & Garnett, M. (2023). Autistic girls and women [Webcast event]. Attwood and Garnett Events. https://www.attwoodandgarnettevents.com

Accessed August 2023: attwoodandgarnettevents.com

Beardon, L....

Kate Morris and Dave Whittingham delve into the concept of the energy bank in this enlightening episode, exploring what fuels children's energy and what depletes it. They introduce the spoon theory, a metaphor illustrating how individuals have varying amounts of energy represented by spoons, which can be spent throughout the day on various activities. Kate shares insights about this system from her research and many interviews, highlighting how understanding energy levels can help parents support their neurodivergent children more effectively. The duo discusses the importance of recognizing the unique energy expenditures of each child, emphasizing that tasks that restore energy for one may drain it for another. With practical tips and relatable anecdotes, they encourage parents to observe and engage with their children, fostering a collaborative environment that honors each child’s needs and energy levels.

Takeaways:

• In this episode, they discuss the concept of energy management for neurodivergent children, emphasizing how understanding energy input and output can improve their daily life.
• They introduce the spoon theory as a metaphor for measuring energy levels, explaining that everyone has a different number of spoons to spend each day based on various factors.
• Kate and Dave highlight the importance of recognizing what activities drain energy and which ones replenish it, fostering a better understanding among parents and children.
• They encourage parents to have conversations with their children about their energy levels, helping them identify what costs spoons and what can help refill them effectively.
• The episode stresses that neurodivergent individuals may experience energy depletion differently than neurotypical individuals, making it crucial to tailor support to each child's unique needs.
• Finally, they suggest practical strategies for replenishing energy, such as physical activities and sensory experiences, to help children manage their energy better throughout the day.

Visit our website at https://www.faithfulgod.net/show/neurodivergence-family-and-faith/

To read helpful articles from Kate, head to her Substack page, An Extraordinary Normal

This podcast is a part of the Faithful God Network. Discover more great podcasts at faithfulgod.net

The idea of energy accounting was pioneered by Maya Toudal and Professor Tony Attwood. It's a valuable concept that delves deeper than the Spoon Theory. In this video, Prof. Attwood dives into a detailed method of keeping track of energy. Look up on Youtube ‘Ask Dr Tony – February 2022’ (from 27 minutes for energy accounting).

For the perspectives of two adults on the usefulness of Spoon Theory, see Podcast 1800 Seconds on Autism, Episode “Turn Down the Studio Lights”, BBC, November 2018.

Exhaustion for neurodivergent people: L Hull, W Mandy, MC Lai, S Baron-Cohen, C Allison, P Smith and KV Petrides, ‘Development and validation of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q)’, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2019, 49(3):819–833, doi:10.1007/s10803-018-3792-6.

Energy and energy expenditure: Raymaker, D. M., Teo, A. R., Steckler, N. A., Lentz, B., Scharer, M., Delos Santos, A., Nicolaidis, C. (2020). ‘“Having all of your internal resources exhausted beyond measure and being left with no clean-up crew”: defining autistic burnout’, Autism in Adulthood, 2(2), 1-12, doi: 10.1089/aut.2019.0079

For understanding the realities of the energy bank for many neurodivergent people, see: T...

Today, we’re diving into wonderful world of God’s comfort for parents of neurodivergent kids. We’ve all felt that overwhelming mix of joy and challenge that comes with raising children who see the world a bit differently, and we’re here to explore how faith plays a huge role in that journey. Kate and Dave will share their insights on how God knows and loves our kids and us, meaning we're never alone as we navigate this path.

Takeaways:

• In our first episode, we explore how God's comfort can guide parents of neurodivergent kids, offering reassurance and support.
• We discuss the importance of community and how neurodivergence can enrich our understanding of God's creation, enjoying the benefits of differences.
• Kate and Dave share their personal journeys as parents of neurodivergent children, emphasizing the need for practical tips and biblical perspectives in navigating challenges.
• The episode highlights Psalm 139 to remind us that God knows our children intimately, which brings comfort in our parenting journey.
• We also look at 1 Corinthians 12 to discover that difference is at the core of how Christ is building his church.
• We dive into the significance of language in discussing neurodivergence, acknowledging that terms evolve and it's crucial to show grace as we speak and listen.
• Next week, we’ll tackle ‘Spoon Theory’ and how understanding energy management is vital for supporting neurodivergent children and maintaining our own well-being.

Visit our website at https://www.faithfulgod.net/show/neurodivergence-family-and-faith/

To read helpful articles from Kate, head to her Substack page, An Extraordinary Normal

This podcast is a part of the Faithful God Network. Discover more great podcasts at faithfulgod.net

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Neurodivergence, Family and Faith is a podcast for Christian parents raising neurodivergent kids, and for the churches and friends who walk alongside them. Each episode offers practical tools, grounded in research and shaped by the wisdom of the Bible.

Hosts Kate Morris and Dave Whittingham draw on their backgrounds in theology, education, and ministry, as well as the experiences of their families. Both are parents of neurodivergent kids; Dave is neurodivergent himself, and Kate has completed further study in neurodivergence. Together, they bring both understanding and expertise as they explore topics like managing energy, navigating sensory differences, and finding joy and belonging in church and family life.

Whether you’re doing the dishes, chasing the kids, or catching a quiet moment, this podcast offers comfort, encouragement, and guidance to help your family thrive for God’s glory.