LPH49: Clay Boatright talks autism parenting, faith and why happiness is a choice

What happens when life hands you a diagnosis you never expected, and you still choose hope? In this profound autism parenting conversation, host Wendy Ernzen sits down with Clay Boatright to talk about raising twin daughters with intellectual and developmental disabilities and profound autism. Clay shares how early developmental delays led to an Easterseals assessment, why diagnoses mainly matter for getting services, and what it feels like as the gap grows between traditional development and a more unique path. The episode also explores disability advocacy, group home placement, and why respite care and community support matter so much for families. Clay talks openly about how faith helped him manage stress, why he believes happiness is a choice, and how life changed when his daughters found a supportive home and day program so he could focus on being their dad. He also shares insights from his book, God’s Plan, Our Circus, and and the mindset he hopes encourages other parents and caregivers on the disability journey.