Speaking Life Into Motherhood ~ Routines, Time Management, Holistic Health, Self Care, Autism, ADHD, Neurodiversity, Special Needs, Disabilities

Speaking Life Into Motherhood ~ Routines, Time Management, Holistic Health, Self Care, Autism, ADHD, Neurodiversity, Special Needs, Disabilities

Are you exhausted from just barely getting by instead of thriving as a mom? Do you feel overwhelmed by your child's medical needs while struggling with basic self-care and wondering if their behaviors are signs of autism, ADHD, or something else that needs intervention? Welcome to Speaking Life Into Motherhood. I'm Elyse - a Christian mom, speech-language pathologist, and wellness coach who understands the decision paralysis that comes with knowing what your neurodivergent kids need but lacking the energy or resources to implement it. I see moms every day who are drowning in overwhelm, navigating IEPs and therapies while accepting the status quo when there are better options available. Through candid conversations with other moms and professionals, we explore holistic, faith-based strategies that challenge conventional approaches. Whether your child is in traditional school or you're homeschooling, you'll discover natural alternatives to traditional interventions, reliable systems that simplify your daily life, and practical tools to help you become your child's best advocate - all while finding the energy to feel human again. If you're ready to move from survival mode to thriving with renewed energy, clarity about your children's needs, and confidence in your parenting journey, this podcast is for you! You don't have to just survive mama - you can thrive! Ready for personalized support? Contact me about coaching to discover your next steps toward thriving in your special needs motherhood journey.

Episodes

August 8, 2025 17 mins

Is that nagging feeling in your heart telling you something about your child's development? In this first episode of our Back to School series, we're diving deep into the question every concerned parent faces: "Does my child have special needs?"

Join me as we explore the wide spectrum of what "special needs" really means - from food allergies and ADHD to sensory processing and behavioral challenges. You...

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  • Are you exhausted from hitting dead ends with doctors who never ask about your diet, leaving you feeling like poor health is just "normal"?
  • Do you struggle to show up as your best self for your family because you're constantly tired, achy, or lacking confidence in your own skin?
  • What if God's design for healing was simpler and more accessible than you ever imagined - found right in the creation story?

In t...

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Do you feel so buried under the responsibilities of motherhood that you've lost touch with who you are?

Are you constantly dropping the ball and feeling like you can't keep up, no matter how hard you try?


Episode Overview

Aubree Felderhoff, SPARK coach for moms and host of the top-ranked Mom Intentional podcast, shares her incredible journey from a seven-year battle with mystery illness to helping overwhelmed moms redis...

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Does the lack of summer structure leave you feeling overwhelmed and your child struggling with transitions?

Are you tired of repeating the same directions over and over while your child seems to tune you out?

Summer can feel chaotic when familiar routines disappear. In this episode, Elyse shares three game-changing ways to use visual supports in your home that will help reduce stress, improve communication, and bring calm to your dai...

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Are you wondering if your child's speech disfluencies are normal or something to be concerned about?

Do you feel like your doctor keeps telling you to "wait and see" while your mama heart is telling you to seek help now?

Are you struggling to know how to support your older child who continues to stutter despite receiving speech therapy?

In this encouraging episode, I sit down with Briann Morbitzer (Ms. Bri), a speech-la...

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  • Are you sitting in the NICU wondering if your micro preemie will not just survive, but actually thrive and live independently?
  • Do you have an older child with special needs struggling to find their purpose?
  • Have medical professionals told you to "prepare for the worst" and you're searching for hope that God's plans are bigger?

Episode Overview: Meet Bethany Bacon who defied every medical prediction when sh...

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Does summer feel overwhelming when the structure of school disappears and you're suddenly trying to keep everyone happy and regulated for three whole months? 

Are you struggling to find the balance between maintaining some routine while still allowing for the flexibility and fun that summer should bring? 

Do you find yourself depleted and reactive because you're focusing so much on your child's needs that you forget to...

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How do you respond when your child is having a meltdown and you feel yourself getting triggered? Do you find yourself asking "Why?" or do you shift to asking "How do I survive this moment?"

When you're in your "shark waters" - those moments when your own past wounds get activated by your child's behavior - what physical sensations do you notice in your body?

Are you more focused on correcting y...

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Have you ever thought "If only I had known sooner" about your child's needs?

Do you struggle with guilt over past decisions made before you had all the information?

Are you worried that early unaddressed issues like tongue ties are affecting your child's sleep, breathing, or attention now?

In this short solo episode, we tackle the heavy burden of "mom guilt" - specifically the pain of realizing your child...

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  • Are you struggling to connect with your uniquely wired child?
  • Do you feel exhausted trying strategies that don't seem to work?
  • Would you like practical, faith-aligned tools to better understand and advocate for your child?

In this episode, I welcome back my friend Jamie Kirkbride to discuss how parents can better understand, connect with, and advocate for their uniquely wired children. Jamie shares invaluable insights ab...

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  • Do you struggle with disappointment when your Mother's Day doesn't match the picture-perfect celebrations on social media?
  • Have you found yourself navigating the gap between your expectations of motherhood and your actual journey parenting a child with special needs?
  • Are you looking for ways to find genuine joy and peace in the beautiful, messy reality of your unique motherhood experience?

In this episode, we explor...

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Is your brain constantly on fire? 

Do you feel depleted trying to manage your child's needs while neglecting your own?

 Are you interested in natural approaches to help both you and your special needs child find calm?

Does your child have and ADHD, Autism, or other diagnosis? Are you unhappy with what traditional therapies are offering? This episode brings info for a holistic approach you probably haven't heard of. 

In this t...

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  • Are you struggling to find support and resources as a parent of a child with special needs? 
  • Do you sometimes feel distant from God, questioning His purpose for your child's challenges? 
  • Have you found yourself focused on "fixing" your child rather than embracing who they are? 

In this episode, we welcome JJ LeVan, an award-winning author and mother who shares her 27-year journey of raising a son with autism. J...

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  • Have you ever wondered how God's calling can lead you through unexpected career paths?
  • What happens when your passion, a community need, and God's will perfectly align?
  • How can speech therapy be viewed through a Christian lens, and did you know Jesus might have been the first speech therapist?!
  • Are you struggling with accepting your child's developmental delays or special needs? How can faith guide you through this ...
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Are you looking for guidance when life takes an unexpected special needs turn?

Do you want to explore or create opportunities for adults with special needs in your community?

In this heartfelt episode, I speak with Ana Munoz, bestselling author of "Perfectly Loved" and dedicated advocate for the special needs community. Anna shares her journey as a mother of a daughter with Down syndrome and how this unexpected path led her...

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Have you ever blamed "mom brain" for your forgetfulness, only to wonder if there's something more serious happening when you parent a child with special needs?

What if the cognitive challenges you're experiencing are actually part of God's design, preparing your brain to be the perfect advocate for your child?

Could simple, scripture-supported self-care practices and holistic strategies dramatically improve y...

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Have you ever felt alone in your journey parenting a child with special needs?

Do you struggle with balancing advocacy for your child while maintaining your faith?

What if the challenges your family faces are actually opportunities for God to reveal His power?


Episode Highlights

  • Rachael Jenneman shares her unique perspective as both a sibling to someone with severe autism and a parent of children with various learning and proc...
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Are you wondering how to homeschool a child with special needs? Curious about balancing therapy with education? Looking for encouragement in your unexpected parenting journey?

In this heartfelt episode of the podcast, host I welcome Sarah Frazer, author of "I Didn't Sign Up for This," to discuss her experience homeschooling her nonverbal daughter with special needs. Sarah opens up about adopting her daughter from Chin...

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Has a doctor ever dismissed your concerns about your child with "they'll grow out of it"? 

Have you ever felt like you're the only one who truly sees your child's struggles? 

Does it feel like you're alone on this special needs journey with no roadmap? 

Have you wondered how your faith fits into the unexpected path of special needs parenting?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, this episode is f...

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Is your body still carrying the effects of a difficult birth? Could your unexplained fatigue or emotional triggers be connected to unprocessed birth trauma? What if seeing Jesus in your birth story could transform your relationship with trauma?

In this episode, functional women's health coach Brigid Tebaldi brings an insightful conversation about healing from birth trauma. Brigid shares her unique approach that combines functio...

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