Families raising children with disabilities often don’t leave church because they’ve lost faith. Many leave because they feel unseen, unsupported, isolated, or overwhelmed trying to navigate spaces that were never designed with their children in mind. In this powerful episode, I sit down with Pastor Craig Johnson, founder of Champions Club, a worldwide special needs ministry that has helped launch over 135 disability ministries across the globe. Together, we have an honest conversation about disability inclusion in churches, autism acceptance in faith spaces, supporting families with special needs, and what true belonging really looks like.

We discuss:

• Why many special needs families quietly stop attending church

• The emotional weight caregivers carry in public spaces

• How churches can better support autistic children and people with disabilities

• Practical ways to create sensory-friendly and inclusive ministries • Pastor Craig’s personal journey and heart behind Champions Club

• What pastors, volunteers, and ministry leaders often misunderstand

• How the Church can become a place of refuge instead of isolation Whether you are a parent raising a child with autism, a pastor, ministry leader, volunteer, educator, or someone passionate about disability awareness and inclusion, this conversation is deeply important. No family should feel invisible in the house of God.

✨ If you’re a special needs parent, what’s one thing you wish churches understood better about your family? Share below. Your story may help someone feel less alone.

#Autism #SpecialNeeds #DisabilityInclusion #AutismAcceptance #ChurchInclusion #SpecialNeedsMinistry #ChampionsClub #AutismParenting #DisabilityAwareness #SpecialNeedsParenting #FaithAndDisability #CaregiverSupport #AutisticChildren #InclusiveChurch #MomentsOfJoyPodcast #PastorCraigJohnson #AutismFamily #ChristianPodcast #SpecialNeedsFamilies

What happens when a dentist truly understands children with disabilities? 💙 In this conversation, we’re talking about the importance of compassionate dental care for children with special needs, how parents often have to advocate in medical offices, sensory challenges during appointments, and why finding the right provider matters so much. We also discuss practical ways dental offices can better support autistic children and families, plus resources that may help parents searching for understanding providers in their area. If you’re a parent raising a child with special needs, this episode is a reminder that you are not “doing too much” by speaking up for your child. Advocacy matters. ✨ Parents, have you ever had an amazing — or difficult — experience at the dentist with your child? Share below so other families can learn and feel less alone. #Autism #SpecialNeedsParenting #AutismParenting #SpecialNeeds #ParentAdvocacy #DisabilityAwareness #SensoryFriendly #AutismAcceptance #MomentsOfJoyPodcast #SpecialNeedsMom #MedicalAdvocacy #AutisticChildren

Here's the truth: living with profound autism means lifelong caregiving—it's overwhelming but also filled with moments of hope. 👉 Tag a parent who needs to hear this today. Have you ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of severe autism? Gunner's journey from early milestones to challenging years—and now breakthrough moments—show us that progress, no matter how small, is strength in disguise. It's not always pretty, and advocacy is tough, especially when boundaries are tested. But sharing our stories can give others hope and understanding. What message do you wish more people understood about profound autism? Let's keep the conversation real and compassionate. Full episode linked in bio — you don’t want to miss this inspiring talk! #AutismAwareness #ProfoundAutism #AutismJourney #MomLife #AdvocacyMatters