The Real Work of Parenting Neurodivergent Young Adults

The Real Work of Parenting Neurodivergent Young Adults

Author: Debbie Reber February 18, 2026 Duration: 39:29
Today we’re diving into one of the most tender and complex stages of parenting—launching our neurodivergent young adults into independence, or more accurately, interdependence. My guest is Penny Williams, a parenting coach for neurodiverse families and the award-winning author of four books on ADHD, including Boy Without Instructions. In this episode Penny and I talk about the emotional challenges parents face during this transition, how to redefine what success and independence really look l...

Debbie Reber hosts TILT Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children, a space that moves beyond simple advice to explore the real, layered experience of this journey. As a parenting activist and author, Debbie guides conversations that are both deeply informative and genuinely connecting. The discussions in this podcast focus on a range of neurodivergent experiences, including ADHD, autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), giftedness, and twice-exceptionality. You’ll hear from specialists, educators, and other parents, but the tone remains grounded and candid, focusing on applicable strategies over theory. Episodes often tackle specific, daily hurdles like school refusal, communication breakdowns, or managing overwhelm, translating insights into actionable steps. More than just a resource, the podcast fosters a sense of community, reminding listeners they are not navigating this path alone. It’s about finding clarity within the complexity, shifting perspectives, and building a toolkit that honors both your child’s unique brain and your own well-being. Tune in for a blend of solidarity and practical takeaways that can make a tangible difference in your family’s life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

TILT Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
Podcast Episodes
Laura Key on ADHD Aha Moments, Parenting, and Burnout [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:27
Today’s conversation is a candid, honest look at what it’s really like to parent while navigating ADHD yourself. My guest is Laura Key, Vice President of Content Strategy at Understood.org and the host of the award-winni…
Dr. Ross Greene on the Kids Who Aren’t Okay [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:31
Dr. Ross Greene’s work has profoundly shaped how so many of us think about kids’ behavior and what they actually need from the adults in their lives, so I’m thrilled to welcome him back to the show to talk about his bran…
Help! My 18-year-old Is Stalled Out and Not Launching [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:31
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 st…
Dr. Tamar Chansky on Freeing Your Child from OCD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:32
Today we’re unpacking a topic that so many families struggle to understand—Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD—especially when it shows up in children. My guest is Dr. Tamar Chansky, a clinical psychologist and author…
A Conversation with Zoë Bisbing About ARFID & Neurodivergence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:42
If your child has extreme food aversions, anxiety around eating, or struggles with a very limited diet, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Today we’re diving into ARFID — Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder…
Dr. John Duffy on Helping Our Struggling Teen Boys [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:23
A few months ago, I had my friend and colleague Cathy Adams on the show to talk about her book Restoring Our Girls and raising daughters to be emotionally healthy in a complicated world. I knew then that I wanted to have…
How To Support Kids in School Without an IEP? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:32
In this special Parent Lean In episode, I’m joined by Margaret Webb to answer a listener’s question about a challenge so many parents face—when your child seems to hold it together at school, only to fall apart at home.…
How Can I Prepare My Child for the Transition to Middle School? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:45
In this episode featuring a listener question, executive function coach Seth Perler joins Debbie to discuss how to prepare a fifth grader for the transition to middle school. They emphasize the importance of proactive pl…