TPP 454: What Do I Do When My 18-year-old Is Stalled Out and Not Ready to Launch?

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)

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