Neurodivergence, Family and Faith cover art

Neurodivergence, Family and Faith

Neurodivergence, Family and Faith

By: Kate Morris and David Whittingham
Listen for free

About this listen

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.Copyright 2026 Kate Morris and David Whittingham Christianity Parenting & Families Relationships Spirituality
Episodes
  • 13. Visiting the Doctor: Tips from Dr. Kim Hoa Rogers
    Feb 3 2026

    Dr. Kim Hoa Rogers joins the show to dive into the complexities of supporting the medical needs of neurodivergent children. With her unique perspective as both a medical practitioner and a parent of neurodivergent kids, she shares invaluable insights on how to navigate the often-challenging experience of medical appointments. The conversation centers on practical strategies parents can employ to ease their children's anxiety before and during doctor visits, emphasizing the importance of preparation and communication. Dr. Rogers also shares how the gospel impacts their family and the way she parents.

    The links Kim refers to in can be found here:

    https://www.rch.org.au/be-positive/Jazz_and_Rocco/A_child_s_guide_to_hospital/

    https://www.starlight.org.au/about-us/our-stories/guide-to-visiting-the-doctor/

    https://pch.health.wa.gov.au/For-patients-and-visitors/Social-stories

    https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/therapies-guide/social-stories

    https://www.health.gov.au/topics/physical-activity-and-exercise/physical-activity-and-exercise-guidelines-for-all-australians/for-children-and-young-people-5-to-17-years?language=en

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

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

    Dave's Bible story podcasts are called Stories of a Faithful God and Stories of a Faithful God for Kids and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.

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

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • 12. Marriage Matters: Neurodiversity in Relationships with Mairi Girgis
    Jan 20 2026

    How can marriages flourish when there is a mix of neurotypes in the couple? In this episode, Mairi Girgis, a couples counsellor with years of experience in this area, joins Kate and Dave to discuss some of the complexities of marriage and parenting within neurodivergent families. With her extensive background in counseling and research into neurodivergence in the Christian community, Mairi sheds light on the unique challenges couples face when their experiences and communication styles differ significantly.

    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

    Dave's Bible story podcasts are called Stories of a Faithful God and Stories of a Faithful God for Kids and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.

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

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • 11. Navigating Big Change
    Jan 6 2026

    When our neurodivergent kids find comfort in everything staying the same, how do we help them navigate the inevitable big changes in life? In this episode, Kate and Dave discuss the challenges of facing major moments like moving house, changing school or church, or even leaving a country. They talk through practical tips for how to help kids through each stage of the change, as well as how to keep the God who never changes central to all we do. Join our growing community for this first episode of season 2.

    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

    Dave's Bible story podcasts are called Stories of a Faithful God and Stories of a Faithful God for Kids and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.

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

    Citations

    Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–

    268.

    Lerner, M. D., Gurba, A. N., & Gassner, D. L. (2023). A framework for neurodiversity-affirming interventions for autistic individuals. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 91(9), 503–504.

    Niemiec, C. P., & Ryan, R. M. (2009). Autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the classroom: Applying self-determination theory to educational practice. Theory and Research in Education, 7(2), 133–144.

    Nuske, H. J., McGhee Hassrick, E., Bronstein, B., Hauptman, L., Aponte, C., Levato, L., Stahmer, A., D. S., Mundy, P., Kasari, C., & Smith, T. (2019). Broken bridges—New school transitions for students with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review on difficulties and strategies for success. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 23(2), 306–325.

    Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1986). Towards a comprehensive model of change. In W. R. Miller & N. Heather (Eds.), Treating addictive behaviours: Processes of change. Plenum Press.

    Quill, K. A., & Stansberry Brusnahan, L. L. (2017). Do-watch-listen-say: Social and communication intervention for autism spectrum disorder (2nd ed.). Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

    Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78.

    Steinbrenner, J. R., Hume, K., Odom, S. L., Morin, K. L., Nowell, S. W., Tomaszewski, B., Szendrey, S., McIntyre, N. S., Yücesoy-Özkan, S., & Savage, M. N. (2020). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism. FPG Child Development Institute.

    Wehmeyer, M. L. (2020). The importance of self-determination to the quality of life of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Inclusion, 8(2), 89–98.

    Webster, A., Bruck, S., & Saggers, B. (2022). Supporting self-determination of autistic students in transitions. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 128, Article 104301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104301

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
No reviews yet