You love your children. You want to be present, patient, and supportive.

So why can fatherhood still leave you feeling overwhelmed, triggered, or unsure whether you’re doing enough?

In this episode of Parenting on the Spectrum, Theresa Alexander Inman talks with leadership expert, executive coach, and founder of the Ambitious Dads Project, Jeff Hittner, about what modern fathers really need to thrive.

After interviewing nearly 200 dads, Jeff discovered that many men can clearly describe their career goals yet struggle to answer a much more personal question: What kind of father do I want to be?

Together, Theresa and Jeff explore emotional regulation, fatherhood confidence, vulnerability, repair, asking for help, and why being a great dad is about more than simply being present.

1. Why your child’s big emotions may trigger your own and how understanding your history can help you respond differently.

2. Why repair matters more than perfection and how apologizing, reconnecting, and allowing your children to see your vulnerability can strengthen relationships.

3. How to father with intention by moving beyond the traditional role of financial provider and becoming an emotional provider of safety, values, connection, and support.

Jeff also shares an important reminder for fathers: asking for help is not weakness. It takes strength and courage to recognize when you need support.

About Jeff:

Jeff Hittner is an executive coach, leadership expert, and founder of Ambitious Dads. After learning he could not become a biological father, Jeff reimagined what fatherhood could look like. Today, he is the proud dad of two boys.

With decades of leadership experience, including coaching CEOs across six continents, Jeff now helps fathers lead with greater courage, presence, and intention—and build a definition of success worth passing on to their children.

Explore the Ambitious Dads Project, coaching, programs, and resources for fathers:

https://ambitiousdads.com/

I’m Theresa Alexander Inman, BCBA, founder of Parenting on the Spectrum. I help parents of autistic children build communication, daily living skills, participation, and confidence through compassionate, play-based strategies rooted in connection before correction.

The Parenting on the Spectrum App gives families practical tools to support communication, track growth, and build everyday skills with greater confidence.

No waitlist required:
http://app.parentingonthespectrum.co/

Pathways to Early Communication offers practical strategies for strengthening the early skills that support communication and development.

Find the book:
https://books2read.com/How-can-I-help-my-child-communicate

Explore neurodiversity-affirming courses with real strategies, printable resources, and simple action steps for everyday family life.

Explore the course library:
https://courses.parentingonthespectrum.co/

If this conversation gave you a new perspective on fatherhood, follow Parenting on the Spectrum and share this episode with a dad who may need to hear that he does not have to figure it all out alone.

#ParentingOnTheSpectrum #Fatherhood #ModernFatherhood #AmbitiousDads #DadSupport #IntentionalFatherhood #ParentingSupport #EmotionalRegulation #ParentChildConnection #ParentingWithPurpose #PositiveFatherhood #DadsMatter #ParentingPodcast #AutismParenting #NeurodivergentFamilies #VulnerableLeadership #ParentingWithoutPerfection #ConnectionBeforeCorrection #JeffHittner #TheresaAlexanderInman

3 Things You’ll LearnLearn More From JeffAbout Theresa & Parenting on the SpectrumStill Waiting for Services?Worried About Your Baby or Toddler’s Communication?Need Practical Guidance at Home?

The more advice you give, the less your young adult may tell you.

Your young adult is struggling to find direction. You want to help, so you offer advice, encouragement, and solutions.

But what happens when they stop listening?

In this episode of Parenting on the Spectrum, Theresa Alexander Inman talks with life coach and parent Evan Sanchez about helping young adults, including neurodivergent young adults, feel seen, heard, and safe enough to discover their own interests, strengths, and direction.

Evan shares lessons from parenting his neurodivergent daughter, including mistakes he wishes he had handled differently, repairing their relationship, creating psychological safety, and celebrating the small wins that helped her feel more confident and understood.

1. Why more advice may not be the answer and how reflective questions can help your young adult think for themselves.

2. How psychological safety changes communication, especially for young adults who feel judged, misunderstood, or pressured to mask.

3. Why celebrating small wins matters and how noticing progress without comparison can help your child feel capable and seen.

Instead of asking:

“What did you accomplish today?”

Try:

“What are you excited about right now?”
“What are you proud of yourself for?”
“What is lighting you up right now?”

Sometimes connection begins when we stop trying to provide the answer and give our children room to discover their own.

If your teen or young adult seems stuck, withdrawn, unsure of their future, or tired of hearing advice, this conversation may help you approach them differently.

About Evan Sanchez:

Evan Sanchez, is the founder of New Grad Launchpad, where he helps parents of young adults learn how to talk to their children without falling into the trap of constant advice. Evan teaches parents how to create trust and psychological safety so their kids feel empowered to take ownership and move forward with confidence.

Learn more from Evan at: https://newgradlaunchpadcoaching.com/

Also connect with Evan Sanchez on LinkedIn to learn more about his work helping parents support young adults as they explore their interests and direction.

I’m Theresa Alexander Inman, BCBA, founder of Parenting on the Spectrum. I help parents of autistic children build communication, daily living skills, participation, and greater confidence using compassionate, play-based strategies rooted in connection before correction.

Your child’s progress doesn’t have to wait.

The Parenting on the Spectrum App gives you practical tools to support communication, track growth, and build everyday skills with greater confidence.

Start today:
http://app.parentingonthespectrum.co/

Pathways to Early Communication gives parents, caregivers, and professionals practical ways to strengthen early communication and developmental skills through everyday moments.

Find the book:
https://books2read.com/How-can-I-help-my-child-communicate

Need practical guidance after an autism diagnosis?

Explore neurodiversity-affirming courses with real strategies, printable worksheets, and simple action steps for everyday family life.

Explore the library:
https://courses.parentingonthespectrum.co/

Follow Parenting on the Spectrum and share this episode with another parent who may need it. Feeling seen and heard can be the beginning of growth.

#ParentingOnTheSpectrum #YoungAdultParenting #NeurodivergentYoungAdults #AutismParenting #ParentingAdultChildren #ParentingTeens #Neurodiversity #PsychologicalSafety #ParentChildConnection #CommunicationSkills #ParentingSupport #ParentCoaching #YoungAdultSupport #ParentingPodcast #TheresaAlexanderInman #EvanSanchez #ConnectionBeforeCorrection

3 Things You’ll LearnLearn More From EvanAbout Theresa & Parenting on the SpectrumStill Waiting for Services?Worried About Your Baby or Toddler’s Communication?Practical Parent Courses

You’ve tried strategies, therapies, routines, and maybe even medication, yet your child may still be struggling with focus, regulation, energy, eating, sleep, or overall well-being.

Could nutrition, gut health, movement, and everyday lifestyle choices be another piece of the puzzle?

In this episode of Parenting on the Spectrum, Theresa Alexander Inman, BCBA, talks with functional health consultant and Doctor of Pharmacy Dr. Yana Clayman about functional medicine, nutrition, gut health, ADHD, autism, and practical lifestyle strategies families can explore to support neurodivergent children.

Rather than asking, “How do we fix this child?” this conversation invites parents to ask a different question: “What might my child’s body need to feel and function at its best?”

1. Why individualized care matters and why the same nutrition, supplement, or wellness approach may not work for every child.

2. Simple changes families can explore, including adding more whole foods, increasing water intake, encouraging movement, and making gradual food changes.

3. How to support your child without trying to “fix” them, while staying curious about factors that may influence comfort, focus, energy, health, and overall well-being.

Dr. Yana Clayman is a functional health consultant and Doctor of Pharmacy with nearly two decades of healthcare experience. After experiencing significant health challenges herself, she discovered functional medicine and shifted her work toward nutrition, lifestyle, nutrigenomics, and individualized wellness strategies.

Today, she supports children with ADHD and other developmental differences and helps families explore ways to promote greater health and well-being. She is also an 800-hour Certified Yoga Teacher.

Learn more from Dr. Yana:
https://atypicallyawesome.com/nextstep

Instagram: @atypically.awesome

I’m Theresa Alexander Inman, BCBA, founder of Parenting on the Spectrum. I help parents of autistic children build communication, daily living skills, participation, and greater confidence through compassionate, play-based support grounded in connection before correction.

Your child’s progress does not have to wait.

The Parenting on the Spectrum App gives families practical tools to support communication, track growth, and build everyday skills with greater confidence.

No waitlist required:
http://app.parentingonthespectrum.co/

Pathways to Early Communication gives parents, caregivers, and professionals practical strategies for strengthening the early skills that support communication and development.

Find the book:
https://books2read.com/How-can-I-help-my-child-communicate

Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting parenting advice?

Explore neurodiversity-affirming courses with practical strategies, worksheets, and simple action steps designed for real family life.

Explore the course library:
https://courses.parentingonthespectrum.co/

If this conversation gave you something new to consider, follow Parenting on the Spectrum, share this episode, and send it to another family who may find it helpful.

Important: Nutrition, supplements, medication, and other health decisions should be individualized. Always consult your child’s qualified healthcare professional before making significant changes.

#ParentingOnTheSpectrum #AutismParenting #NeurodivergentKids #ADHDParenting #Neurodiversity #AutismSupport #FunctionalMedicine #GutHealth #ChildNutrition #NutritionForKids #WholeChildHealth #ParentingSupport #NeurodivergentChildren #ParentingPodcast #TheresaAlexanderInman #YanaClayman #ConnectionBeforeCorrection #HealthyHabits #ParentEducation #AutismPodcast