Every Neurodiverse Individual Is
Wired Beautifully
We exist to help families, professionals, organizations, and governments understand and support neurodiverse individuals — through an integrated approach rooted in dignity, lived experience, and biblical hope.
A Movement Built on
Mission and Vision
Embracing Neurodiversity, LLC is a Minneapolis-based organization transforming how the world understands and supports people navigating FASD, autism, ADHD, and trauma.
Equipping Families & Systems to Understand the Beautifully Wired
We help families, professionals, organizations, and governments better understand and support neurodiverse individuals — recognizing that they are wired beautifully and designed for a life of meaning, growth, and connection.
A World Where Every Person Is Embraced, Supported, and Empowered to Thrive
We envision a world where every neurodiverse person is understood, embraced, and empowered to thrive — valued for how they are uniquely wired and fully included in every part of society.
Built by Fathers Who Know
the Weight and the Wonder
Carl Young and Joel Sheagren didn't come to this work from a distance. They came through fatherhood, advocacy, heartbreak, prayer, research, policy, and film — fathers who believe families deserve more than survival.
Joel doesn't just understand neurodiversity — he lives it every day as a father raising children with FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorders), autism, trauma, and ADHD. This lived experience, combined with over three decades as an award-winning filmmaker and photographer, uniquely positions him to translate complex family challenges into practical, hope-filled solutions.
Through Sam In A Can Productions, Joel has mastered compelling storytelling that drives real change. But his most important story began at home, where the daily realities of parenting neurodiverse children sparked a mission that would reshape how families navigate these journeys.
When traditional parenting approaches failed his family, Joel didn't just adapt — he innovated. Recognizing that FASD was the hidden piece missing from most neurodiversity conversations, he partnered with Carl Young to create the world's first integrated approach supporting families across the ASD/ADHD/FASD/trauma spectrum.
What sets Joel apart isn't just professional storytelling expertise — it's authentic understanding of unexpected meltdowns, IEP meetings that feel like diplomatic summits, and profound breakthrough moments. Through Embracing Hope, Joel transforms personal struggles into practical strategies that work in real homes with real families.
Carl doesn't just advocate for neurodiversity — he fights for it with the fierce determination of a father who knows what's at stake. Raising four children across the neurodiversity spectrum, including sons with FASD and autism, Carl has transformed personal challenges into a two-decade crusade for systemic change.
For 20 years, Carl has wielded his voice at state and federal levels, turning policy abstractions into practical protections for families who need them most. His unique ability to translate lived experience into legislative language has opened doors previously sealed shut, creating pathways where none existed before.
In 2018, Carl and his wife launched their nonprofit — not as a side project, but as a sacred calling. Their organization builds bridges between struggling families and the support systems they desperately need.
What sets Carl apart isn't just his policy expertise — it's his shepherd's heart for families walking the lonely path he once traveled. Through Embracing Hope, his decades of advocacy experience become accessible to every parent fighting similar battles. Carl doesn't just talk about change — he creates it, one family, one policy, one breakthrough at a time.
The First Integrated Approach to
FASD, Autism, ADHD, and Trauma
Most support systems treat FASD, autism, ADHD, and trauma as separate lanes. But families don't live in separate lanes. Embracing Neurodiversity brings those worlds together — for the first time.
FASD Is Hidden in Plain Sight
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder affects up to 7.1% of the population — yet it's one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed conditions in families, schools, and the justice system.
Overlapping Symptoms Create Confusion
FASD, autism, ADHD, and trauma share many symptoms but require different supports. Families and professionals often apply wrong strategies — not from lack of care, but lack of integrated understanding.
Systems Are Designed for Compliance, Not Connection
Schools, courts, churches, and workplaces were built for neurotypical minds. We're changing that — equipping systems to truly include the beautifully wired.
One Movement. Many Doorways.
The Embraced Movement spans books, film, documentary storytelling, technology, professional training, and practical resources. Each expression serves the same purpose: replacing confusion with clarity, isolation with community, and deficit-based thinking with hope-filled support.
Embracing Hope — The Foundational Caregiver Guide
The world's first integrated approach to FASD, autism, ADHD, and trauma — written by two fathers with lived experience and co-authored over 18 months and 487.5 gallons of coffee. A practical, hope-filled guide for every parent and caregiver navigating neurodiverse children. Crafted with kitchen-table wisdom and evidence-based strategies that work in real homes with real families.
Get the Book
Embrace Neurodiversity
A faith community resource helping churches and congregations understand, include, and support neurodiverse individuals and families.
Online Courses
Expert-led training for parents, educators, social workers, and church leaders. Teen self-regulation course now live. Professional development courses in development.
See CoursesFeature Film: Embracing Zak
Script written by Justen Overlander, original producer of The Chosen. Currently in fundraising. A story that brings mainstream awareness to the beautifully wired.
Documentary: Embraced — Truth About FASD
~100 hours of footage. A documentary bringing the hidden story of prenatal alcohol exposure into mainstream conversation as a driver of homelessness, trafficking, and justice involvement.
Hero's Embrace App
A technology connection layer linking teachers, parents, and therapists for global education impact. Personalized support for neurodiverse families and the systems around them.
Embracing Zak — Novel
By team member Jodee Kulp. A compelling narrative that makes the neurodiverse experience deeply human — for families, educators, and anyone who loves a child who is differently wired.
Professional Book Series
Specialized guides for social workers, educators, faith communities, criminal justice professionals, and policymakers. Turning lived-experience insight into systemic transformation.
Dignity, Hope, and the Courage
to See People Fully
Every Person Has God-Given Worth
Neurodiverse individuals are not broken. They carry unique purpose, perspective, and potential — and every system that touches their lives should honor that truth.
Families Are Not Disqualified by Complexity
The hard days, the IEP battles, the meltdowns at 2am — none of this disqualifies a family from hope, community, or joy. We build resources for the real journey, not a sanitized version of it.
Support Should Multiply Dignity, Not Manage Deficiency
We reject deficit-based thinking. Our resources are built around what neurodiverse individuals can do, who they are, and who they are becoming — not what they lack.
Integrated Understanding Changes Everything
When we understand how FASD, autism, ADHD, and trauma overlap — and how they differ — we stop applying the wrong strategies and start seeing the whole person. That's when real progress begins.
Hope Is Disciplined Belief Plus Action
Biblical abundance doesn't ignore struggle — it refuses to let struggle have the final word. We build toward flourishing, not just survival, with tools grounded in integrity, honesty, and righteousness.
Systems Can and Must Change
Schools, courts, churches, workplaces, and government can be transformed. We don't accept "that's just how it is" — we work to reshape institutions so the beautifully wired have a genuine place at the table.
Built for Everyone Who Loves,
Teaches, or Leads the Beautifully Wired
Our resources meet families, professionals, and institutions where they are — equipping them to move from confusion to clarity, isolation to community, survival to flourishing.
Families & Caregivers
Parents, foster and adoptive families, grandparents, and anyone raising or caring for a neurodiverse child.
Educators & Schools
Teachers, special education staff, school counselors, and administrators working with neurodiverse students.
Organizations & Governments
Social services, criminal justice, public health, and policy leaders building more effective, inclusive systems.
Faith Communities
Churches, pastors, and ministry leaders called to truly include and support neurodiverse individuals and families.
Join the Movement to See Neurodiversity
with Clarity, Compassion, and Hope
Explore the books, courses, and resources helping families and leaders support the beautifully wired — and take the next step toward whole-person understanding.