This week I’m joined by Zach Morris for a thoughtful conversation
about the challenges of parenting neurodivergent teens who are
approaching adulthood. We dig into a listener question about an
almost-18-year-old who’s still really struggling, despite years of
support. Zach and I explore the pressures parents face, the grief that
can come up, how to hold boundaries with empathy, and why we need to
rethink what success and failure actually mean. We also talk about the
importance of understanding each child’s unique developmental
timeline—and how to give ourselves and our kids space to pause, regroup,
and keep going.
About Debbie:
Debbie Reber, MA is a parenting activist, bestselling author, speaker, and the CEO and founder of TiLT Parenting, a resource, top-performing podcast,
consultancy, and community with a focus on shifting the paradigm for
parents raising and embracing neurodivergent children. A regular
contributor to Psychology Today and ADDitude Magazine, and the author of more than a dozen books for children and teens, Debbie’s most recent book is Differently Wired: A Parent’s Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with Confidence and Hope.
About Zach
Zach Morris is a thought leader in education who is committed to helping
people increase compassion, collaboration, and learning. Zach supports
individuals, families, and organizations who aim to develop a greater
sense of safety and empowerment in themselves, in their relationships,
and in their communities. Gently guiding humans through the resistance
they encounter is at the core of Zach’s work. Learn more about Zach here
Things You'll Learn from This Episode
Why parenting neurodivergent teens near adulthood requires extra patience, flexibility, and a long-view approach
How societal expectations can increase stress and make it harder to trust our child’s unique path
Why processing grief is a necessary part of coming to terms with unmet expectations and ongoing struggles
How setting and holding clear, compassionate boundaries helps support both safety and autonomy
Why redefining success and failure can reduce pressure and create space for authentic growth
How taking breaks, leaning on support, and staying attuned to our child’s timeline can nurture long-term resilience
Resources Mentioned
The Self-Driven Children with William Stixrud and Ned Johnson (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
Dr. Dan Peters on The Teen Years & Preparing to Launch (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
The Autistic Burnout Workbook: Your Guide to Your Personal Recovery Plan by Dr. Megan Anna Neff
A Conversation with Dr. Megan Anna Neff About Autistic Burnout (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
