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

You’re juggling therapies, school, and daily routines. How do you support your child’s well-being in the middle of it all?

Join Theresa Alexander Inman, BCBA, and Dr. Leonaura Rhodes, a former UK developmental pediatrician and brain health coach, to explore everyday support for autistic and neurodivergent children. From sleep and movement to stress and self-belief, this conversation looks at the whole child.

Dr. Rhodes shares her “State, Story, Strategy, Success” framework and invites parents to define success with their child’s interests, needs, and preferences in mind.

Three things you’ll learn:

• How sleep, movement, stress, and positive relationships fit into your child’s daily support.

• • Why nurturing your child’s confidence matters alongside teaching new skills.
  • How the four-part framework can help you reflect on your child’s well-being, beliefs, supports, and goals.

  
  

  About Leonaura Rhodes

  As a junior doctor I once hid in a linen closet for 3 hours because I couldn't handle the stress. I was working long hours, the responsibility was overwhelming and I was being bullied. I look back and realize I didn't know that suffering from stress was optional and I had no tools. When my youngest son was very sick I had an aha moment reading a book that suffering was optional and I became obsessed with learning about stress and how to overcome it.

• Connect with Dr. Rhodes:
  https://www.drleonaurarhodes.com/

  
  

  About Theresa & Parenting on the Spectrum:

  I’m Theresa Alexander Inman, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and founder of Parenting on the Spectrum. I help parents of autistic children, particularly ages 2–7, feel more confident supporting their child’s communication, daily living skills, and participation in family life.

  My work includes parent coaching, workshops, a podcast, and Behavior Detective Journals. I’m also developing digital courses and app-based support to make practical guidance available to more families. My approach centers on compassionate, play-based strategies and “connection before correction.”

  
  

  Still waiting for services?

  Your child’s progress doesn’t have to wait too. The Parenting on the Spectrum App gives you practical tools to support communication, track growth, and build everyday skills with greater confidence. No waitlist required. Start today: ⁠⁠⁠app.parentingonthespectrum.co⁠⁠⁠]

  
  

  Worried about your baby or toddler’s communication? Pathways to Early Communication gives parents, caregivers, and professionals practical ways to strengthen the early skills that support communication and development. Simple strategies. Real stories. Guidance you can use in everyday moments. Find the book here: ⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/How-can-I-help-my-child-communicate⁠⁠⁠

  
  

  Gentle Guidance for the Hardest (and Best) Job You'll Ever Do

  After years working with autistic children and their families, I created these neurodiversity-affirming courses to give parents the practical guidance that's often missing after a diagnosis. Real strategies, printable worksheets, simple action steps. No judgment, no pressure. Explore the library and find the one that fits your family. Access them here: https://courses.parentingonthespectrum.co/

You’ve noticed differences in your child’s development. Now you’re facing a long waitlist. Could a virtual autism evaluation offer another path to answers?

Join Theresa Alexander Inman, BCBA, and pediatrician Dr. Tracy Burton, Chief Medical Officer of As You Are, to explore autism evaluations from home. Learn how parent observations, familiar surroundings, and a team approach can inform an assessment, and why the conversation continues beyond a diagnosis.

Three things you’ll learn:

• What to expect from a virtual autism evaluation, including the parent interview, observation, and feedback visits.

• Why observations from parents, teachers, and therapists help build a fuller picture of your child.

• What to ask about insurance, therapy referrals, and care coordination after an evaluation.

Learn more and check service availability:
As You Are: https://asyouare.com/

About As You Are (in thier words):

"As You Are is a team of neurodevelopmental physicians who guide families with clear, compassionate expertise. We give parents the knowledge they need to help their children thrive.

Early, accurate diagnosis opens the door to effective therapy. Our virtual clinic shortens wait times so children can begin building new skills sooner.

Our specialists provide thorough evaluations for autism and other neuro-developmental conditions and create personalized care plans, all from the comfort of home.

Families also receive help from a Care Sidekick who supports them in accessing services after diagnosis. *Availability may vary by state and insurance.

We believe every child has unique strengths, and we bring that belief to our work every day." (asyouare.com)

About Theresa & Parenting on the Spectrum:

I’m Theresa Alexander Inman, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and founder of Parenting on the Spectrum. I help parents of autistic children, particularly ages 2–7, feel more confident supporting their child’s communication, daily living skills, and participation in family life.

My work includes parent coaching, workshops, a podcast, and Behavior Detective Journals. I’m also developing digital courses and app-based support to make practical guidance available to more families. My approach centers on compassionate, play-based strategies and “connection before correction.”

Still waiting for services?

Your child’s progress doesn’t have to wait too. The Parenting on the Spectrum App gives you practical tools to support communication, track growth, and build everyday skills with greater confidence. No waitlist required. Start today: ⁠⁠⁠app.parentingonthespectrum.co⁠⁠⁠]

Worried about your baby or toddler’s communication? Pathways to Early Communication gives parents, caregivers, and professionals practical ways to strengthen the early skills that support communication and development. Simple strategies. Real stories. Guidance you can use in everyday moments. Find the book here: ⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/How-can-I-help-my-child-communicate⁠⁠⁠

Gentle Guidance for the Hardest (and Best) Job You'll Ever Do

After years working with autistic children and their families, I created these neurodiversity-affirming courses to give parents the practical guidance that's often missing after a diagnosis. Real strategies, printable worksheets, simple action steps. No judgment, no pressure. Explore the library and find the one that fits your family. Access them here: https://courses.parentingonthespectrum.co/