Faith, Family & Autism is a faith-centered Bible study created for parents and caregivers raising an autistic or neurodivergent child. It provides a place to slow down, turn to Scripture, reflect honestly on the journey, strengthen family relationships, and seek God’s wisdom through the decisions, challenges, and victories that come with caregiving.

This study is intentionally flexible. You can work through it alone during personal devotional time, complete it with your spouse or partner, or use it with a small group, church group, parent support group, or caregiver Bible study.

Who This Study is For

*Parents of autistic and neurodivergent children

*Parents adjusting to a new diagnosis

*Caregivers who have been on the journey for years and need renewed encouragement

*Married couples or partners who want to work through the experience together

*Grandparents and other family caregivers

*Church groups, small groups, and parent-support ministries

*Friends, mentors, educators, and faith communities who want to better understand and support neurodivergent families

What You’ll Find Inside

*Scripture connected to the realities of parenting and caregiving

*Biblical encouragement for difficult and uncertain seasons

*Personal reflection and journaling prompts

*Questions for couples and group discussion

*Practical activities that help families apply what they are learning

*Opportunities to think through family communication and relationships

*Reflection on education, therapies, and parenting decisions

*Encouragement for navigating advocacy and making informed decisions

*Consideration of the needs and experiences of siblings and the whole family

*Prompts that help caregivers care for themselves while continuing to care for their child

*Space to recognize progress, celebrate strengths, and remain grounded in faith

Faith for the Decisions Families Have to Make

Autism can bring families into a world of appointments, therapies, school meetings, recommendations, opinions, and difficult decisions. Faith, Family & Autism does not tell every family that there is one correct path. Instead, it encourages parents and caregivers to seek wisdom, gather information, communicate as a family, advocate for their child, and make thoughtful decisions consistent with their child’s needs and their family’s values.

Topics can be reflected on through both a practical and biblical lens, including education, therapies, school advocacy, parenting decisions, supporting siblings, strengthening relationships, communicating with family members, and responding when others do not fully understand your child’s needs.

For Couples and Families

A child’s diagnosis affects more than one person. Parents may grieve differently, process information differently, disagree about therapies or school choices, or carry different parts of the caregiving load. Siblings may also have questions and emotions of their own.

This study creates intentional opportunities to talk about those experiences rather than allowing them to remain unspoken. Couples and families are encouraged to listen to one another, recognize different perspectives, protect important relationships, and keep the family connected while supporting the neurodivergent child.

For Churches, Ministries & Parent Groups

Faith, Family & Autism can serve as the foundation for a caregiver Bible study, autism-parent ministry, small group, or church support group. Leaders can use the Scripture, discussion questions, reflection prompts, and activities to guide conversations while creating a supportive environment where caregivers can share experiences without judgment.

Churches can also use the study to better understand the experiences of neurodivergent families and consider how faith communities can provide meaningful, inclusive support.

Why I Wrote Faith, Family, & Autism

I wrote Faith, Family & Autism because families need more than information. We can learn about diagnoses, therapies, school services, and interventions and still have deeply personal questions about faith, family, fear, hope, marriage, advocacy, and the future.

As a mother, nurse, educator, and advocate, I wanted to create the kind of resource that gives parents and caregivers permission to bring all of those parts of the journey into one place. My hope is that this study helps families feel less alone, communicate more openly, advocate more confidently, and remain rooted in faith while loving and supporting the child God entrusted to them.

A Study You Can Return to in Different Seasons

The questions a family has immediately after a diagnosis may be different from the questions that arise during school transitions, therapy decisions, adolescence, changing family dynamics, or new challenges. Faith, Family & Autism is designed to be a resource you can revisit as your family’s journey changes.

Read Chapter 1 Free

Want to experience the format before beginning the full study? Download Chapter 1 and see how Scripture, reflection, discussion, and practical application come together.

What Readers Are Saying

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Purchase Faith, Family, & Autism

Whether you plan to study privately, with your spouse, or alongside a group of parents and caregivers, Faith, Family & Autism is designed to help you make room for Scripture, reflection, honest conversation, and hope throughout the journey.

About the Author

Shijuan McKinney is a Registered Nurse, nurse educator, Board-Certified Functional Health Practitioner, Army nurse veteran, founder of McKinney Wellness Solutions, author, and mother. Her professional background in nursing and education, combined with her family’s personal experience navigating autism, therapies, school systems, and advocacy, shaped both Faith, Family & Autism and the mission of McKinney Wellness Solutions.