The UNspecial Podcast

Hidden Battles: Understanding Profound Autism

The host and Olivia Rojo (“Praying Through Autism”) discuss the unseen burdens of profound autism—seizures, sleeplessness, isolation, grief, and constant medical battles—arguing autism is often deeply medical and worsened by untreated co-occurring conditions. They share takeaways from the Autism Health Inc. conference, including claims that 88% of autism is regressive and concerns about how pediatric screening questions obscure regression, plus a neurologist’s view that autism follows a developmental interruption. Olivia describes her daughter Leah’s regression after an immune trigger, mainstream doctors focusing on medication, and her shift to MAPS/biomedical care, including findings like cerebral folate deficiency and high MMR antibodies. She’s moving to Arizona for a synergistic team (MAPS doctor, PX neurologically focused chiropractic, and NeuroActive laser/primitive reflex therapy), reporting improvements in calmness, sleep, and gut motility, while emphasizing faith, sibling impact, and urging newly diagnosed families to seek TACA, MAPS, and deeper medical investigation. Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com [http://www.unspecialllc.com] #specialneeds #specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional

Faith, Inclusion, and Community: A Conversation on Disabilities in the Church

On the Unspecial Podcast, the host interviews Jessi Mansfield about disabilities and the church, focusing on whether inclusion is a slogan or a lifestyle and how faith, autism, and families collide. Jessi shares her background (Marine Corps, primary care, nonprofit work with adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities) and how her stepson’s autism diagnosis brought uncertainty, mourning, and overwhelm, eased by supportive friends and later strengthened by returning to church. She describes finding Rhythm Church, the community care they received, and launching Rhythm’s special needs ministry, The Haven, after researching local needs and the lack of visible disability ministries. Jessi explains doing inclusion well through individualized supports, volunteer training, sensory-friendly options, and discipling kids in accessible ways, while also prioritizing parents’ spiritual support and community, and she offers encouragement to families and volunteers. website: www.unspecialllc.com [http://www.unspecialllc.com] #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids 👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc 👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F [https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F]...

Mindset and Miracles: Navigating Autism and Life's Challenges

The host interviews Tommy Rhyne of Spectrum and Camouflage about the unseen mental battle parents—especially dads—face in the autism journey, emphasizing real mindset over “toxic positivity.” They discuss exhaustion, grief, and staying grounded when life doesn’t match expectations, with both men sharing personal contexts: Tommy’s non-speaking autistic son and the host’s wife’s two-year cancer fight. Their faith frames key ideas about praying for healing while surrendering to God’s will, and viewing God’s presence as “always on time.” They warn that negativity and isolation can overtake families and affect siblings, urging parents to stay curious, drop shame, run to their children, and be present. Practical tools include breathing, brief rest, walking, action to interrupt anxiety, guarding inputs, daily gratitude, and accepting that hard times won’t stop—there’s no “normal life,” just life, and a daily choice to be grateful.website: www.unspecialllc.com [http://www.unspecialllc.com] #specialed [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialed] #podcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/podcast] #unspecial [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/unspecial] #specialneedsjourney [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialneedsjourney] #specialneedskids [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialneedskids] 👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc 👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F [https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F].. [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVA4a2w3WVVPd082ZVlURmNhNEp2TllMSDRWZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsUU5iaXpJZ2kwMXBKNFlQRzg2OWltbkVmNTE2N0xWWHJMUFdDYm9fZ1VVejMwS0dGQ09aTEdOQ2NOMmVSajJHakxsQl9scjZfb1p1QUZBbmJJblY3Yk9QT2JVX0J4YlNtd3Y1SHV4RGJwRGV5Y0FHVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSpecial-Dayz-F..&v=6DbXJr5bdck].

Breaking the Silence: Chase's Journey to Communication.

The speaker describes apraxia as a major misconception in autism, noting that during five years teaching profound autism it was never discussed, and says recent experiences have exceeded what they thought possible. They express faith that God can do more than expected, including the possibility of verbal speech even though he currently communicates by spelling on a letterboard. He shares that when he nearly died from mono, Jesus was with him, carried him through, and told him his purpose was to overcome it and share His story and love. He has repeatedly spelled that he wants to present to Congress to help them understand that autism is actually apraxia. website: www.unspecialllc.com [http://www.unspecialllc.com] #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids 👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc 👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F [https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F]...

Embracing Vulnerability: Uniting Moms Through Shared Experiences.

Zach interviews Megan Vondrak, founder of the Unlonely Moms Club, about motherhood, loneliness, and caring for her son Miller, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age three after symptoms on a Costa Rica trip led to a pediatrician visit and a week at Rady’s. Megan describes the relentless management of Dexcom and Omnipod data, alarm fatigue, fear of highs and dangerous lows, and how diabetes can distort a mom’s sense of worth. They discuss how loneliness differs from shame-based “bad mom” narratives, the danger of isolation, grieving a former life, and learning to accept imperfect support. Megan shares how community—especially tough-love friends—helped her rebuild, and how the Unlonely Moms Club hosts free monthly movement and creative events to remove barriers and help moms feel known and included. website: www.unspecialllc.com [http://www.unspecialllc.com] #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids 👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc 👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F [https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F]...