Holding hope in one hand and heartbreak in the other? You’re not alone, mama.
In this episode of Unapologetically Mom we bust the myth of “two steps forward, one step back” with a fresh reframe every parent of a neurodivergent teen or young adult needs to hear:

• Progress ≠ straight staircase – it’s a mountain full of switchbacks, ledges, and foggy stretches.

• Why what looks like “regression” is often a developmentally-appropriate sidestep linked to executive-function burnout, sensory overload, or nervous-system fatigue.

• My own story—growing up AuDHD, raising autistic/ADHD kids, and mentoring families on the same climb—so you know I’m right there with you in the trenches.

• 3 field-tested strategies you’ll want to jot down:

  1. Name the Mountain (normalise pauses)

  2. Switchback Conversations (side-by-side resets)

  3. Ledge Regulation (co-regulate before you coach)

You’ll leave with concrete tools to turn panic into presence, plus a mindset shift that celebrates layered, non-linear growth—for your child and for you.

🔗 Links mentioned:
• Need a listening ear or guidance? Book a complimentary Clarity Call https://calendly.com/taratrievel/chat-with-tara.

If this episode helps you breathe easier, follow, rate, and share with another mom on the climb. Let’s rewrite the narrative of progress—one compassionate step (or sidestep) at a time.

Program for moms: https://parenting-neurodivergent-teens.my.canva.site/