At Peace Parents Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 15 - Siblings and PDA Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I tackle the complex and often difficult topic of managing siblings and a PDA child at the same time, as well as the impact on siblings of raising a PDA child or child with a sensitive nervous system in the same home.
Please note: This is recorded from a live video and so often when I said "Accidentally" I used air quotes because it was not truly accidental.

To connect with me, find me here:
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
YouTube
For more resources for parents, including #actuallyautistic pages to check out and a list of PDA-affirming practitioners in North America, check out the resources page at PDA Parents.
For Courses, Programs, Coaching and Consulting, find me at At Peace Parents, LLC
Thanks for listening! You are an amazing parent.
xoxo,
Casey

Ep. 14 - Your "Secret" and "Inappropriate" Questions about PDA Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I answer questions that parents submitted as "secret and inappropriate" about PDA. I answer as honestly and objectively as possible!
The five questions were:
✨ Can you have “PDA Lite”?
✨ Is PDA always Autism?
✨What happened to an older generation of PDAers?
✨Can trauma cause PDA?
✨Do you think autism and PDA are more common now or do you think it is because we have broader diagnostic tools?
Citation: "Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity" by Steve Silberman.

Ep. 13 - The Three Stages Parents of PDA Children and Teens Go Through Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

This episode describes the three stages of the journey that parents of PDA children and teens go through on their path to peace. First, the "Doing Everything" phase where you learn and do everything you possibly can to help your child. Second, the "Structural Change" phase where you make changes to your lifestyle and make difficult tradeoffs that reflect the fact that you are raising a child with a nervous system disability. Third, the "Surrender" phase where you seek out meaning, purpose, nervous system healing (for yourself), and sometimes spirituality as you let go of the things you cannot control in your life.

Ep. 12 - Parenting a PDA Child or Teen with an Experimental Mindset Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

This episode describes why allowing yourself an experimental mindset while trying new approaches and accommodations with a PDA child or teen is so important.

So you stop judging or paralyzing yourself with a fear of "doing it wrong" or not following some set of rigid rules.
So you stop seeking answers that are already within your intuition and capacity to observe in day-to-day life with your child.
So you stop comparing your path to other families, whether neurotypical or PDA.
So you allow the accommodation practice to be fluid and change as your child does!

Citation: "Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity" by Steve Silberman, Chapter 7: Fighting the Monster.

Ep. 11 - "Aren't You Just Rewarding Bad Behavior?" Dec 28, 2022

Show notes

In this episode I answer the question I get over and over on social media, in my coaching containers and in the programs I run: "Are you just rewarding bad behavior by using an accommodation approach with your PDA child?"
It is a very valid question and one that I grapple with daily because we have all been conditioned to think like this. Here I give you four ways to think about this as you are making decisions about whether and how to accommodate your PDA child's nervous system and threat reponse.

Ep. 10 - Masking, PDA Children and Teens, and YOU! Dec 16, 2022

Show notes

This episode explores "high masking" in PDA children and teens, across both the introverted and extroverted expression. It discusses the importance of recognizing masking, both for the sanity of parents, your child's well-being, and getting access to the structural support (diagnosis, insurance coverage, support at school), that you need.
Citations:

Rachel Dorsey, Autistic SLP (@dorseyslp) for term "High Masking"
Sally Cat, Introverted PDA Advocate. See her page "Sally Cat" for more information on masking from perspective of the nervous system.

Ep. 9 - How to Manage the Holidays with a PDA Child Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

This episode teaches you a new way of thinking about how to approach the holiday season with a PDA child or teen.
First, of course, you will want to think about accommodations and lowering demands, but you also need to set up a contingency plan, prepare for de-escalation, and then allow yourself to take this year's experience as "data" about what you can change structurally next year to make the holidays for joyful and peaceful for the whole family. I hope this sets you up for success!

Ep. 8 - How do I know if my child is PDA or Autistic with Demand Avoidance? Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

This episode outlines four things to look for as a parent to help you determine whether your child is PDA or is Autistic with Demand Avoidance. Ultimately, I tell you that what matters most is not the diagnosis or lable, but the which lens wer are supporting our child through and whether it is helping!

Ep. 7 - 4 Ways to Support Your PDA Child's Nervous System Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

This episode explains the four things or "states" that naturally regulate your Pathologically Demand Avoidant (PDA) child's nervous system:
1. Screens
2. Another safe nervous system (likely YOU)
3. Special interest or "Flow" (citation: Harry Thompson, PDA Autistic Advocate and Author of "The PDA Paradox")
4. Dopamine, novelty or sensory-seeking opportunities
I offer some examples from my own life to demonstrate how to apply this framework in a practical way to your home while parenting a PDA child.

Ep. 6 - What is a "Cognitive Loop" for a PDA Child or Teen? Nov 29, 2022

Show notes

This brief episode explains what a "cognitive loop" is for a PDA child or teen, when they get stuck between their frontal lobe ("thinking brain") and their amygdala ("survival brain"). This is often when a child is experiencing an *internal* loss of autonomy because they can't do something they want or are trying to do. I provide exampes from my son's life, for example, on a ninja course and playing a video game.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected