--- title: "Mothering an Autistic Child in the Church #023" description: Danielle Bean interviews author Susan Anderson about mothering her autistic son in the Church. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/catholic-momcast-1024x551.jpg --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/catholic-momcast/2018/08/29/mothering-an-autistic-child-in-the-church-023/#) [CATHOLIC MOMCAST](https://www.catholicmom.com/catholic-momcast/tag/catholic-momcast) # Mothering an Autistic Child in the Church #023 Aug 29, 2018 11:00:09 AM  |  by [Danielle Bean](https://www.catholicmom.com/catholic-momcast/author/danielle-bean) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/catholic-momcast-1024x551.jpg) To listen to this week's podcast, simply hit "play" above, or [subscribe in iTunes!](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357?mt=2) Pretty much everyone knows and loves someone who is affected by autism these days. But that was not the case years ago, when Susan Anderson faced a diagnosis of autism for her son Paul. Navigating the world of doctors and diagnoses, while struggling to know and love her son for who he was, left Susan and her family exhausted at times and looking for support. Susan shares that journey beautifully from the perspective of a Catholic mom, in her memoir, [Paul's Prayers: A Mother's account of Raising an Autistic Son.](https://www.amazon.com/Pauls-Prayers-Mothers-Account-Autistic/dp/168099347X) Join Danielle Bean as she shares a riveting, emotional, inspiring, and deeply personal conversation with author Susan Anderson. Share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences! We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media! ### [Learn about our other Catholic Momcast episodes](http://catholicmom.com/tag/catholic-momcast). --- *Copyright 2018 Danielle Bean* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fcatholic-momcast%2F2018%2F08%2F29%2Fmothering-an-autistic-child-in-the-church-023%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fcatholic-momcast%2F2018%2F08%2F29%2Fmothering-an-autistic-child-in-the-church-023%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fcatholic-momcast%2F2018%2F08%2F29%2Fmothering-an-autistic-child-in-the-church-023%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Mothering%20an%20Autistic%20Child%20in%20the%20Church%20%23023) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fcatholic-momcast%2F2018%2F08%2F29%2Fmothering-an-autistic-child-in-the-church-023%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fcatholic-momcast%2F2018%2F08%2F29%2Fmothering-an-autistic-child-in-the-church-023%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** ## Related Blog Articles [ Beauty and Meaning in Children's Literature #153 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/catholic-momcast/beauty-meaning-childrens-literature) [ Chuckles and Chuckleheads with Kelsey Gillespy #247 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/catholic-momcast/in-the-trenches-with-kelsey-gillespy-247) [ Catholic Momcast 337: Bishop Fulton Sheen with Cheryl Hughes Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/catholic-momcast/bishop-fulton-sheen-with-cheryl-hughes-337) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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