Meet Susan Tatem, founder of Bright Path Coaching, a healthcare professional with 30 years of experience and a devoted single mother to a daughter with autism. Inspired by her own journey raising her daughter into a confident, independent adult, Susan now helps other parents of autistic children—particularly tweens and teens—create individualized plans that prepare their children for adulthood.
At Humans of Fuzia, we are proud to feature Susan because her story is a powerful example of resilience, dedication, and love. She reminds our 5M+ community that empowerment often comes from turning personal challenges into a mission that transforms lives for others.
Q: Susan, what inspired your journey into autism coaching?
I worked in healthcare as a physical therapist for 30 years, but my biggest role was raising my daughter with autism as a single parent. She’s now 27 and living independently with the supports she needs. My goal was always: if something happens to me, she should still be okay. That became my mission.
Now, through Bright Path Coaching, I help other parents of autistic tweens and teens prepare for that critical transition into adulthood. Too often, once school ends, there’s an abyss—no structure, no support, and kids just flounder. I fill that gap, helping families create clear paths so their children can thrive as adults.
Q: Who do you primarily work with?
My main focus is on parents, though I also work directly with some young adults. Together, we address everything from resources and advocacy to daily living skills and long-term planning. The aim is to build independence: being able to manage personal hygiene, schedule appointments, handle medication, and eventually work—at least part-time—so they can live fulfilling lives.
Q: What inspired you to share your knowledge with other parents?
I was blessed to have an incredible autism advocate in my corner while raising my daughter. She has since passed away, but I carry her wisdom forward. Everything I teach is what I learned—through trial, error, and support. Now, I’m committed to guiding other parents so they don’t feel alone on this journey.
Q: How do people usually find your work?
I’ve been featured in several publications, including Autism Parenting Magazine, one of the world’s leading autism resources. I also run a TV show called Puzzled Parents, streaming on the Phoenix TV app, where I interview parents, grandparents, healthcare providers, and therapists to discuss real-life experiences and solutions.
Beyond that, I’ve contributed chapters to international bestselling books and am building partnerships with other women entrepreneurs who specialize in areas like financial education—so families can secure their child’s future, even beyond the parents’ lifetime.
Q: What are your aspirations for the future?
My ultimate goal is to establish supported living communities across the world. These would give autistic adults a safe, independent place to live with the support systems they need—so they don’t have to rely on mom and dad forever. Every parent worries about what happens when they’re gone. My mission is to ensure those children still have structure, security, and a sense of belonging.
Q: What challenges have you faced as an entrepreneur?
The biggest hurdle for me has been the technical side of business—branding, email funnels, digital tools, AI, all of it. After 30 years in healthcare, business and tech didn’t come naturally. But I’ve been fortunate to partner with women entrepreneurs who support me while I learn.
Another challenge is visibility. If people don’t know who you are, you can’t help them. So I keep working on building my digital presence while also relying on word of mouth.
Q: What message would you like to leave with our readers?
“There’s no one right way. Every child is different, every situation is unique. What works today may not work tomorrow. Keep learning, keep adapting, and never give up. Life is messy, and that’s okay—imperfection doesn’t mean failure.”
She adds:
“Don’t make your child fit into someone else’s plan—make the plan fit your child. And remember: if you set the goal low, you’ll get low. Set it high, and you’ll be amazed at how far your child can go.”
Connect with Susan Tatem
You can connect with Susan on https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-tatem-brightpath/
✨ Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
