by Susan Tatem
My journey began as a single mom raising my beautiful daughter. When she was diagnosed with autism at age ten, it brought a whirlwind of uncertainty, worry, and the challenge of ensuring she had the support she needed. I was blessed to find an incredible advocate who became my guide, teaching me how to navigate the complexities of autism, access resources, and fight for my daughter’s future.
It wasn’t easy. Everyone said that she “looks normal.” I felt like it was me against the world including her father who denied her diagnoses. How do you get others to see her challenges that are not “visible?” Because she was so personable and chatty, everyone assumed she was neurotypical. Not all kids with autism are non-verbal or impersonal. My daughter had the opposite issue. She could not set nor maintain appropriate personal safety boundaries. I could not leave her home alone even into her late teen years because she would open the door to anyone and either let them in the house or go off with them. I had to fight to show she did have special needs that qualified her for support services. Public school was so detrimental to her, I ended up homeschooling her for 7 years whilst working full-time.
Balancing life as her advocate, home school teacher, and mom with my role as a full-time healthcare employee was no small task. My days were filled with appointments, research, behavior modification, and planning for her future. It wasn’t easy, but watching my daughter grow, overcome challenges, and achieve goals filled me with pride and gave my life purpose. Surrounding myself with others in the same boat gave me a solid support structure.
When my advocate passed away, I realized how vital her support had been and wanted to honor her legacy. I also saw a glaring gap in resources for families of children with autism, especially as they approached adulthood. Once school ends, many parents are left wondering what’s next. That realization planted a seed in my heart—I wanted to be the guide I once needed.
The path to launching Bright Path Coaching wasn’t straightforward. I faced personal health challenges, including chronic pain, that forced me to reimagine how to pursue my dreams. Yet, my desire to help families and young adults with autism never waivered. I worked with a coach to learn about sales and business development and shifted from an initial niche to embrace my true calling: empowering families with kids 12 and older who have autism and guiding them to an independent and fulfilling life. I guide parents from feelings of overwhelm, isolation, and uncertainty to feeling confident, supported, and having a clear path forward. My five-stage process breaks down their journey into actionable steps, providing hope and direction for both families and individuals.
My faith has been my anchor throughout this journey. I believe God placed this mission on my heart, and every challenge has prepared me for this moment. Whether it was learning resilience as a single mom, developing empathy through my healthcare career, or finding clarity through my struggles, each experience shaped the person I am today.
What makes me unstoppable isn’t just determination; it’s my belief that every obstacle is an opportunity for growth. I’ve learned to embrace challenges, lean on my faith, and draw strength from my experiences. My journey has been one of transformation—from a single mom navigating the complexities of autism to an entrepreneur building a global vision to change lives.
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