Best Pda Meltdowns Podcasts (2025)

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18 | Navigating Holiday Gatherings with Emotional Regulation: Building Connection and Protecting Your Peace with Strong-Willed or Neurodivergent Kids 12:17

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10h ago12:17

12:17

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 3% of Podcasts Worldwide! Do you ever… • Feel torn between keeping family happy and doing what’s best for your strong-willed or neurodivergent child? • Worry about how others will react to your child’s behavior at family gatherings? • Feel that quiet nudge from the Holy Spirit but doubt your strength …

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The Shift That Calmed My PDA Child’s Meltdowns (When Nothing Else Worked) 15:24

21h ago15:24

15:24

If you’ve been trying everything to support your PDA or Autistic child through meltdowns and nothing is working, this episode will help you understand why — and what actually helps. In this episode, I share the single shift that changed everything in our home when it came to supporting my PDA autistic son. For years, I approached his meltdowns like…

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EP 146 Why Pregnancy Hits Harder for Neurodivergent Mums 54:55

7h ago54:55

54:55

You are not imagining it. Pregnancy, birth, and early parenting are more overwhelming for many neurodivergent mums — and no one tells you why. In this eye-opening episode, doula and neurodiversity advocate Alix Myers joins Dr Olivia to unpack the hidden challenges that make the perinatal journey feel so intense. If you ever wondered why you struggl…

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120 Decluttering & Perfectionism 23:14

1h ago23:14

23:14

Decluttering, organizing, and cleaning my home in a more routine way is having some interesting effects on my perfectionist tendencies! (Plus, perfectionism comes up in the decision-making process; more on that in my interview on A Slob Comes Clean, which I'll link here when it's out.) Specifically, a cleaner space = less decision fatigue = lower c…

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17 | How to Build Connection After Emotional Regulation Takes a Backseat to Meltdowns 9:49

24m ago9:49

9:49

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 3% of Podcasts Worldwide! Ever replayed a moment after your child’s meltdown and thought, “Why did I do that again?” Do you wish you could respond with peace instead of guilt after losing your cool? Wonder how to rebuild connection when emotions run high for both you and your child? Episode Highlights…

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EP 145: Finding Their Tribe 1:00:12

1d ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Many neurodivergent children struggle to make and keep friends — not because they do not care, but because they experience the world differently. In this episode, Dr Olivia speaks with Kirsten, founder of Uncommon, a unique online community that helps neurodiverse children build friendships and confidence through shared interests like gaming, art, …

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Helping Your Autistic Child Through Meltdowns: 6 Connection-First Strategies That Work 11:02

11d ago11:02

11:02

Meltdowns are not misbehaviour — they’re communication from an overwhelmed nervous system. In this episode, I walk you through what’s really happening beneath autistic meltdowns and how connection, not control, becomes the foundation for calming your child. You’ll learn why meltdowns are a sign of overload, not defiance, and how your own nervous sy…

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119 Get Unstuck At Home with Dana K White 1:07:02

3d ago1:07:02

1:07:02

Dana K White, like me, couldn't find advice that worked for her. So she made it up! And it turns out, it was helpful for many other people too. After writing an anonymous blog about cleaning her overwhelmingly cluttered home, Dana "came out" and started helping others too. Also, many of those people let her know she seems to have ADHD ;) Her explan…

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16 | Meltdowns + Emotional Regulation: Becoming the Hero in Your Strong-Willed or Neurodivergent Child’s Story 14:26

4h ago14:26

14:26

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally! Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same cycle — your child melts down, you react, and afterward you think, “Why did I do that again?” If so, this episode will speak straight to your heart. We’re diving into a powerful concept called the Hero, Victim, and Villain lens an…

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EP 144: When School Doesn't Fit: The Homeschool Solution 1:03:57

15d ago1:03:57

1:03:57

What if the problem isn't your child—it's the system? If school mornings feel like a battlefield and your child is shrinking under constant pressure, this episode offers hope. Dr. Olivia sits down with Cassie Olguin—homeschooling mother of three (including neurodivergent twins) and Outschool education lead—to explore what learning looks like when y…

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118 Transitions Support AuDHD Productivity 23:10

5d ago23:10

23:10

Transitions are one of THE things that support the way that productivity shows up for AuDHDers! Transitions don't have to be all about work: play and rest can be transitions too. And sometimes we need transition time into and out of work, play, AND rest! Today I talk in more detail about how long transitions can take for me (routinely 30-60 minutes…

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15 | The #1 Tool for Parenting Beyond Meltdowns with Strong-willed & Neurodivergent Kids: Building Connection Through Emotional Regulation 15:16

7d ago15:16

15:16

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 3% of Podcasts Worldwide! Do you ever feel like you’re living in constant reaction mode just trying to survive one meltdown, defiant moment, or emotional storm after another? In this episode, we’re diving into The Creation Cycle — the #1 tool that will help you renew your mind, regulate your emotions,…

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EP 143: Stop Mothering Me! Understanding Your Teen’s Push for Independence 48:06

18d ago48:06

48:06

Half-term chaos, slammed doors, sharp words—if that sounds familiar, you are not alone. In this episode, Dr Olivia Kessel sits down with teen expert Kim McCabe to unpack why your once-snuggly child suddenly bristles at “How was your day?” and how to respond without losing your cool or your connection. From the teenage brain’s rebuild to the unique …

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117 PDA + AuDHD 39:21

12d ago39:21

39:21

PDA is the Persistent Drive for Autonomy (community term), or pathological demand avoidance (clinical & pathologizing term). What happens when PDA, ADHD, and autism all overlap? Well... stress and relationship challenges! Thankfully, everything that helped me feel more safe has also made my PDA more manageable. There are many approaches to build th…

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14 | Turning Thoughts and Feelings into Faith-Filled Action: Emotional Regulation for Moms of Strong-Willed & Neurodivergent Kids 14:58

15d ago14:58

14:58

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is Ranked in the Top 3% of Podcasts Worldwide! Mama, what if your actions could tell you everything you need to know about your thoughts, your feelings, and even your true identity in Messiah? In today’s episode, we’re talking about the choices we make—the ones that keep us stuck and the ones that move us forward—so you c…

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EP 142 Saying yes until she failed changed everything 1:05:35

1M ago1:05:35

1:05:35

Burnout has a way of making even the smallest task feel impossible. We open with a lifeline for parents raising neurodivergent children, then sit down with campaigner and founder Agnes Agyepong to trace how postnatal depression and isolation became the spark for two powerful vehicles of change: the Glow Mama Awards and a research-led movement tackl…

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Creative Resistance: Mattia on PDA: Resistance and Resilience 50:38

20d ago50:38

50:38

It's been a running joke (that wasn't initially a joke) that I'm totally going to do a PDA episode very soon... since the very first episode of AuDHD Flourishing. Now we have one, thanks to Chris Wells and Marni Kammersell for interviewing me on PDA: Resistance and Resilience, and letting me cross-post the episode here! Mentioned in episode: Full s…

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13 | 3 Emotional Regulation Secrets Every Mom Needs for Parenting Strong-Willed and Neurodivergent Kids Part 3 14:54

1M ago14:54

14:54

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally! If you have a child strong-willed or neurodivergent child with ADHD, Autism, ODD, PDA you are in the right place! Mama, have you ever felt like you’re carrying emotional weight that never seems to go away? Like no matter how much you pray or think positive thoughts, it still s…

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EP 141 Unschooling Yourself: Letting Go of the ‘Shoulds’ in Parenting 1:02:48

1M ago1:02:48

1:02:48

What if the problem was never your child—but the system itself? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Olivia sits down with Esther Jones, mindfulness teacher, mother of three, and author of The Parent’s Handbook to Unschooling Yourself, to explore what happens when we let go of the ‘shoulds’ that weigh parents down. From daily battles over school refu…

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116 Stimulants: a 2-year review 19:43

27d ago19:43

19:43

About two years ago, I started ADHD stimulant medication as a regular (most days) thing. I've mentioned it here and there on the podcast. This is my most concentrated "review" of the main things I've noticed over the past two years. To be clear, when I mention a factor that might make stimulant meds more of a burnout risk, I'm not saying those folk…

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12 | 3 Emotional Regulation Secrets Ever Mom Needs for Parenting Strong-Willed and Neurodivergent Kids Part 2 8:28

1M ago8:28

8:28

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally! Ever feel like your emotions take over the moment your child melts down? You try to push them away, but they only come back stronger. In this episode, Amanda Calfee, Christian life coach and creator of The Anchored Mama Approach, teaches you how to allow emotions without being…

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EP 140: Meltdowns, Decoded 1:11:02

2M ago1:11:02

1:11:02

✨ Click here for SENsory Mother - Laura Ellis ✨ Click here for 30-day Guide to Better Sleep 👉 Join ADHD Warrior Mum: The Recharge Station What if the meltdown in your hallway isn’t defiance at all, but a terrified nervous system asking for help? We go straight to the heart of “challenging behaviour” with Laura, a teacher and mum of neurodivergent t…

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115 That Advice is Backwards 13:12

1M ago13:12

13:12

One reason most advice doesn't work for us is that it's backwards. It's telling us to do/have the end result, rather than showing us how to get there. In the case of safety or shame, it's pretty clear that we can't just leap to the end of the process (if there even is one with a traumatized body). Mentioned in episode: Toxic Shame: What it is and H…

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11 | 3 Emotional Regulation Secrets Every Mom Needs for Parenting Strong-Willed and Neurodivergent Kids Part 1 8:43

2M ago8:43

8:43

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally! Does it ever feel like your child’s meltdowns hijack your whole mood? One moment you’re calm, the next you’re snapping, and then comes the guilt. You’re not alone, mama — and you’re not broken. In this first part of our two-episode series, we’re unpacking the first step to emo…

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EP 139: Why Punishments From 1846 Still Don't Work Today 46:36

2M ago46:36

46:36

Dr Olivia Kessel welcomes back co-authors Georgina Benger and Karen Price to discuss restorative justice as a compassionate, relationship-based approach that helps children understand the impact of their actions and repair harm. • Georgina's research at Cambridge University revealed schools still use the same punishment methods from 1846 despite th…

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114 Queer! AuDHD! BIPOC! with TQ 1:00:15

1M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

TQ (they/them) is a queer, trans, physically disabled, AuDHD Chinese-Singaporean artist, author/host of the upcoming book/podcast Queer! AuDHD! BIPOC!, and community facilitator for other queer neurodivergent BIPOC. In true ND fashion, we range over many topics, including the importance of community and hearing your own stories as a person with mul…

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10 | Have a Defiant, Strong-Willed, or Neurodivergent Child? Taking Your Captive Thoughts = Calmer Meltdowns 13:04

2M ago13:04

13:04

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally! Have you ever felt like your thoughts are hijacking your parenting leaving you overwhelmed, reactive, and stuck in survival mode? In this episode, we’re diving into three powerful anchors for your thought life that will help you take your thoughts captive, so you can show up c…

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EP 138: Anxiety, PDA and self-regulation with Caryn Price & Georgina Benger 46:34

2M ago46:34

46:34

If you're exhausted from daily battles with a child who seems to resist everything – even things they used to enjoy – this episode will change how you see their behaviour forever. Karen Price and Georgina Benger, leading PDA experts who've supported thousands of families, reveal why Pathological Demand Avoidance isn't defiance or manipulation – it'…

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113 The Urge for Minimalism & Visual Cues 15:49

2M ago15:49

15:49

Also on YouTube for some visuals My urge for minimalism is partly to provide myself with the visual cues I desperately need, without overwhelming myself with visual clutter. And, there has been a specifically classist push for minimalism that sometimes causes me to get rid of too much. Here's an excellent thread about minimalism, class, and why you…

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9 | What if First Time Obedience Creates Defiant Kids Who Meltdown Instead of Build Connection? 14:48

2M ago14:48

14:48

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally! What comes to mind when you hear the word obedience? For many mamas, it feels tied to pressure, rules, and the belief that if our child doesn’t obey instantly, we must be failing. But what if that way of thinking is actually breaking connection with your strong-willed or neuro…

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EP 137: The broken UK SEND system with Rebecca Harrison, founder of SEN Home Ed Circle 49:20

2M ago49:20

49:20

The postcode lottery in UK's SEND system isn't just frustrating—it's devastating families. This raw, eye-opening conversation with Rebecca Harrison reveals the shocking truth about educational inequality across neighboring boroughs. Rebecca brings a uniquely powerful perspective as both a former SENCO and mother to two neurodivergent children. Desp…

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112 ADHD in Women and Girls 28:54

2M ago28:54

28:54

Thanks to Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson for letting me cross-post this important discussion about one of the first longitudinal studies of ADHD in women and girls! Full show notes, timestamps, and Transcript available on Hyperfocus' site (Ep 5, The “devastating” findings of a decades-long ADHD study, Dec 5, 2024 has the full version; it was reposted…

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8 | Strong-Willed or Something More? Why Regulation and Connection Matter More Than a Label 15:33

2M ago15:33

15:33

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally! Mama, Is your child just strong-willed, or could something deeper be going on... In this episode, we’ll unpack the difference between a strong-willed child and a neurodivergent child, and why the distinction matters—but not in the way you might think. Because at the end of the…

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EP 136: Education systems fail neurodivergent children with Julia Silver, founder of Qualified Tutor 54:53

2M ago54:53

54:53

Education systems often fail neurodivergent children, but the right support can transform their learning journey. Julia Silver, founder of Qualified Tutors and mother to five neurodivergent children, shares how tutoring can rebuild confidence and love of learning for children struggling in traditional education. • Understanding that schools can't m…

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111 Shame Wrecks Identity 59:28

2M ago59:28

59:28

Chronic shame makes us feel all kinds of terrible things that often are the triggers that send people to therapy. It's caused in part by relational rupture without repair, especially as an infant and child. While there's no quick fix, recognizing the signs and beginning to gently work with it does help over time. This is episode 10 of a series of 1…

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7 | Not a Mistake: Why You’re the Exact Mom Your Strong-Willed or Neurodivergent Child Needs 9:51

3M ago9:51

9:51

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally! Have you ever wondered if maybe God gave your strong-willed or neurodivergent child (ASD, ADHD, ODD, or PDA) the wrong mom? That you’re not enough, not equipped, or too overwhelmed to handle what they need? Mama, you’re not alone. I’ve been there—convinced I was failing, carry…

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110 New Neurodivergence Model with Darren Glencross 1:17:28

2M ago1:17:28

1:17:28

Darren Glencross was diagnosed near the beginning of 2025, and since then has written multiple books and come up with a new framework for people to explore outside of the medical model. It includes: Pattern Language, Inner Orbit with 12 satellites (and Their Orbit), and the Carry Kit It's exciting to explore community-led models! Connect with Darre…

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How to Make Projects Happen - Repost 41:35

2M ago41:35

41:35

AuDHD brains face many challenges when it comes to projects. It's something I've put a great deal of time and learning into, both personally and professionally. This episode covers many ideas and approaches that tend to work for us. Key Takeaways: We usually learn to use what I call the Adrenaline-Anxiety Approach. While effective short-term, it ca…

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6 | Have Your Fears Become Reality? Why Moms of Strong-willed and Neurodivergent Need Kids Need Emotional Regulation 12:10

3M ago12:10

12:10

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally! As a mama of an ASD, ADHD, ODD, or PDA child have you ever caught yourself speaking your fears out loud—only to watch them unfold in your child’s life? I’ve been there. In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story of how my own unregulated emotions and words began shaping min…

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EP 135: ADHD affecting emotions - a girl's story 14:18

3M ago14:18

14:18

Download your free Guide by clicking here: The Zones of Regulation: A Parent's Guide to Understanding Big Emotions Ever felt like your child's emotions are too big for their body? In this tender final episode of our Alexandra ADHD En Masse series, my 13-year-old daughter Alexandra opens her heart about one of the most challenging aspects of living …

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109 Use More Lube 13:08

3M ago13:08

13:08

This ep also available on YouTube "use more lube:" do what you need to do to make life easier, more comfortable, and more pleasurable for you in the moment. This goes beyond sensory needs, though that's often where we start. You may not be sure what you want on the grand scale (or it feels impossible to get there). But being kind to yourself, and m…

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5 | 4 Ways to Build Connection with God While Raising a Child with ADHD, Autism, ODD, or PDA 13:56

3M ago13:56

13:56

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally! When you’re raising a child with ADHD, Autism, ODD, or PDA, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn. So often, we run to books, podcasts, or parenting strategies before we turn to God. But what if true peace and wisdom are found first in His presence? In this…

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EP 134: ADHD and sleep struggles 14:03

3M ago14:03

14:03

Click here for the ADHD Sleep Guide - 30 days to better sleep Sleep deprivation became our unwelcome companion for eleven long years. My daughter Alexandra would lie awake for hours, plagued by anxious thoughts that seemed to intensify as darkness fell. When sleep finally came, it was fragmented – she'd wake repeatedly, finding her way to my bed mo…

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108 Using Intuition Practically 52:39

3M ago52:39

52:39

Intuition has been a way to interface with my body, even when the relationship with my body was contentious. While I won't share the trauma stories that led to the subtitle (Intuition Saved My Life), I have a variety of examples of how unconscious information can surface in a useful way. ep. 7 in an interconnected 10-episode series Mentioned in epi…

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4 | How to Build Connection When Your Neurodivergent Child's Defiant Behavior is Out of Control 13:51

3M ago13:51

13:51

Parenting Beyond Meltdowns is ranked in the Top 3% of podcasts globally! If you’ve tried being the “nice mom” and the “strict mom” and neither has worked, you’re not alone. I used to think connection came after compliance—that once my child listened, obeyed, or calmed down, then we could connect. But I’ve learned the hard way that connection isn’t …

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5 Signs of Autistic Burnout in Children (and How to Support Recovery) 20:38

3M ago20:38

20:38

Has your child suddenly lost skills, withdrawn, or become overwhelmed by things they used to handle easily? These may be early signs of autistic burnout — a real, often-misunderstood experience for Autistic and PDA children. In this episode, I break down what autistic burnout actually is, why it’s frequently mistaken for behavioural regression, and…

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4 Simple Steps to Confident Autism Advocacy (Without Overwhelm) 27:49

3M ago27:49

27:49

If advocating for your Autistic or PDA child makes your heart race, your mind go blank, or leaves you unsure of what to say, this episode will give you a simple, empowering framework you can use in any conversation — from school meetings to family discussions. In this episode, I break down the four steps I use (and now teach) to help parents advoca…

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ADHD Medication: a teen's experience 18:51

3M ago18:51

18:51

FREE GUIDE: ADHD Medication Made Simple 💊 Understand how ADHD medication works, the different options available, and how to talk to your child about it with confidence. 👉 Download your free guide here What's it really like to take ADHD medication as a teenager? Forget the clinical explanations—today my daughter Alexandra bravely takes us behind the…

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3 Connection-First Steps to Support Everyday Transitions (While Reducing Meltdowns) 25:31

3M ago25:31

25:31

Do daily transitions leave your child dysregulated and your whole home overwhelmed? In this episode, I break down three connection-first steps that transform chaotic transitions into smoother, supported moments — while gently reducing overwhelm and the meltdowns that often follow. You’ll learn what Autistic and PDA children experience during transi…

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3 Quiet Truths That Transform Parenting Autistic & PDA Children 21:16

3M ago21:16

21:16

If you feel like you’re doing everything “right” but still struggling to support your Autistic or PDA child, this episode will help you understand why — and show you what truly creates change (even when nothing else has worked). In this foundational episode, I share the three quiet truths that transformed our family from daily stress and shutdowns …