PDA Society Podcast

In this episode we're chatting to Faith Newton, highly specialist children's occupational therapist and parent of two PDA children, about how to approach OT assessments with PDA children - whether you're a parent preparing for an appointment, or an OT looking to adapt your practice. You can hear us chat more to Faith about Occupational Therapy and PDA on our Training Hub.  For information and...

In this episode we’re chatting to Jennifer Chilton, neurodiverse informed coach and parent of a PDAer, about the ups and downs of daily life in a PDA family - and how when we adapt our approach and expectations, life can become infinitely more manageable. For information and guidance about your circumstances, you can get in touch with our support service through our website . Guest links: Website:...

In this episode we’re chatting with Lindsay and Stacie, from the PDA Devon support group, both of whom are parents of a PDAer. It can be really isolating as a PDA parent, especially when the people around you don’t understand what’s going on or how to offer support. In this episode we explore why it’s so vital to build a likeminded community and support network, and how to connect when awareness a...

In this week’s episode we’re chatting to parent Steve Keightley about how declarative language can reduce demands for PDAers and the difference this has made for their family. If you’re not sure how to recognise declarative language, Steve has created the Ask Gentle app which can help you find a softer way to communicate around demands. You can find out more, including our previous episode on Decl...

In this episode we’re chatting to Nathalie Shek, a paediatric occupational therapist who works with neurodivergent children, young people and families. Sleep hygiene advice such as creating routines can often create extra demands, so we’ll be talking about the biology of sleep what helps to make common sleeping difficulties a little easier. You can find out more on our website or and find more epi...

In this episode we’re chatting with Christine MacInnis (LMFT) about some of the challenges parents of PDAers face when looking for support. Being a parent of a PDAer can be an isolating experience - from the lack of support, the stress of not being believed, and the pressures to conform to potentially harmful practices. In this episode we look at some of the ways parents can access support, and ho...

In this episode we’re chatting to David Boxall from Elysian, who provide alternative farm-based education, about how animal therapy can support children who have been failed by a mainstream education setting. To find out more about supporting PDA children in school, check out the information on our website or sign up to the PDA Training Hub . Guest links: https://elysianuk.org/

In this episode we’re chatting with Beth from Lily Oaks psychological and Counselling practice about why school behaviour policies often do more harm than good. You can find out more about supporting PDA in school through our website or the PDA Training Hub.

Welcome back for Season 2 of PDA Life - The PDA Society Podcast.  We’re seeing a rise in adults discovering their autistic identities, and yet it’s increasingly difficult to access a diagnosis – which can be used to gatekeep vital support. In this episode we’re chatting to PDA parent, Paula, about why access to a diagnosis is so important for finding your community and understanding your expe...

Welcome to the final episode of season one! We'll be back in May, after a short break, with a whole bunch of new conversations around PDA. When season two rolls around we'll start to archive earlier episodes, but they'll remain available on our training hub. See you soon! In this episode, Sarah Stewart from the PDA Society is joined by Tracy Weiner, a former Occupational Therapist and parent of a...

In this episode, Sarah from the PDA Society is joined by Tom Crellin and Jim Sahlsberg to explore the experience of learning to drive as a PDAer. Jim shares his lived experience of learning to drive, including the challenges he faced and the persistence required to complete the process. The conversation explores why learning to drive can feel particularly difficult for PDA individuals, with factor...

In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Alice Running, an author and writer focusing on autistic lived experience and neurodivergent parenting, to explore the issue of parental blame in the context of PDA. Alice shares both personal and research-informed insight into how parental blame can arise when children struggle within systems that do not fully understand PDA. The conversat...

In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Bryher Hill, an occupational therapist from Helping Kids Shine, to explore how occupational therapy can support PDA children and their families. Bryher shares insight into how occupational therapy looks different when working with PDA profiles, focusing less on compliance and more on understanding the underlying needs driving behaviour. The...

In this episode, Sarah Stewart from the PDA Society is joined by Tracy Weiner, an NVR (Non-Violent Resistance) practitioner and parent of a PDA young person, to explore how NVR can support families experiencing high levels of distress and conflict. Tracy shares both her professional expertise and personal experience as a parent, speaking about the realities of parenting a PDA child into adolescenc...

In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Julia Daunt, a PDA adult and trainer with the PDA Society, to explore the realities of accessing healthcare for PDAers. Julia shares her lived experience of navigating medical environments, highlighting how appointments, procedures and interactions with professionals can often feel overwhelming, unpredictable and highly demanding. The conve...

In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Lyndsey Stokes and Keighly Murphy from Rise Skool, an alternative education provision supporting neurodivergent children and young people who have struggled in mainstream settings. Together, they explore what can happen when education is rebuilt around safety, trust and emotional regulation rather than compliance and rigid expectations. Lyn...

In this episode, Gemini from the PDA Society is joined by Linda Murphy, author of The Declarative Language Handbook and The Co-Regulation Handbook , to explore how declarative language can support PDA children and young people. Linda explains the difference between declarative and imperative language, and why shifting from telling and directing to wondering and noticing can reduce anxiety and defe...

In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Riko Ryuki to explore what it is like parenting as a PDAer. Riko shares openly about raising three children, two of whom have PDA profiles, while navigating their own PDA and additional disabilities. Together, Rachel and Riko discuss how parenting can look and feel different when you also experience high demand sensitivity yourself. The con...

In this episode, Sarah from the PDA Society is joined by Shirleyann Haig, bestselling author and Passive Income Coach, to explore how creating alternative income streams can offer greater flexibility when parenting neurodivergent children. Shirleyann shares her personal journey as a mother of two boys, one with ADHD and one autistic with a PDA profile. After a 25-year career in the pharmaceutical...

In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Tabitha Poole, an occupational therapist from the charity ERIC, to explore a topic that many PDA families describe as a common challenge, toileting. Tabby shares her professional insight into why toileting can be difficult for PDA children and young people, and how these challenges are often linked to anxiety, demand sensitivity, sensory di...

In this episode, Sarah Stewart from the PDA Society is joined by Laura Hellfeld, an independent nurse, sleep consultant and PDA adult, to explore why sleep difficulties are so common for PDA children and adults, and what can help. Laura brings both professional and lived experience to the conversation. She works extensively with families around daily living skills, including sleep, eating, hygiene...

Content warning This episode includes discussion of suicidal thoughts. In particular, there is a brief section between 6:50 and 7:10 that listeners may wish to approach with care. Please listen in a way that feels safe and supportive for you. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, is a severe form of PMS that causes significant emotional and physical symptoms during the 1-2 weeks before menstruation. Sy...

In this episode, the PDA Society begins a clear and accessible exploration of PANS and PANDAS, conditions that can cause sudden and significant changes in a child or young person’s behaviour, emotional wellbeing and functioning. Although not linked with PDA, some of the presenting characteristics can be similar, making diagnosis and treatment difficult. The conversation focuses on what PANS and PA...

In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society speaks with Julia Daunt, an adult PDAer, author and trainer, about the experience and meaning of distressed behaviours. Drawing on her personal insight and professional experience, Julia explains what distressed behaviours look and feel like from the inside. She discusses the difference between being in control and feeling overwhelmed, and how anxiety,...

In this episode, PDA Society CEO Ed speaks with Suzanne McManus, an editorial leader and creative professional, who joins the podcast to share her personal experience as the parent of a PDA child. Suzanne reflects on the steep learning curve of parenting when traditional approaches don’t fit, and how she had to unlearn familiar ideas about authority, control and compliance. She discusses the shift...