Parenting Neurodivergent Kids on the Mission Field with Jenilee Goodwin

What if your child can’t “just push through” like the other MKs? What if loud music, long travel days, or even sticky hands after a meal in community send them into sensory overload? And what if… God still called your family, with all its unique challenges, to the mission field?

In this very honest and beautifully grounded episode, Jenilee Goodwin—former missionary, mom of three daughters on the autism spectrum, and certified life coach—shares her story of raising neurodivergent kids overseas. From navigating diagnoses on the field to creating stabilizing rhythms in unpredictable places, Jenilee offers insight, empathy, and hard-won wisdom for families serving in complex realities. 

This conversation is a wake-up call to rethink resilience, ditch the guilt, and embrace a vision where your kids—just as they are—can thrive and be used mightily by God.

📌 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to spot the hidden signs of neurodivergence in your kids—especially when you're overseas and in constant transition
• What it looks like to set boundaries for your family when the ministry pace doesn't slow down
• Why giving your kids the right language to advocate for themselves can transform your home life
• How to build rhythms of stability in an unpredictable, cross-cultural world
• What happens when you finally release the pressure to conform—and embrace how God uniquely wired your child

💭 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:

• Where have you seen your child struggle in ways that others might miss or misunderstand?
• Are there any expectations—yours or others'—that need to be re-examined in light of your child’s unique wiring?
• How do you typically respond to your child’s sensory overload moments—and what might compassionate advocacy look like instead?
• What are some small ways you could bring stability or predictability into your family’s current season?
• How might God be using your child’s differences to bless others in unexpected ways?

Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org

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