A podcast for parents navigating the complexities of raising children with the Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile of autism. Join host Rose, a late diagnosed autistic mum, as we explore her and other parents' experiences with PDA, home education, unschooling, and the challenges of being a parent as a late-diagnosed or undiagnosed neurodivergent person. This podcast aims to create a supportive space for sharing experiences, emphasising that you're not alone on this often difficult journey. Gain practical strategies, insights, and a sense of community where we all understand both the ups and downs of parenting and home educating a PDAer.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Find out how Rose (@unschoolingwithpda) and three other parents (Amy - @amymrutter // Victoria - @wartswaypda // Linsey - @unschoolingstanley) navigated the unschooling path of their neurodivergent children learning to read without ever having been formally taught at school. They all share ideas and resources that worked for their four very different boys, to help show how varied unschooled learning can be, and still have the same successful results, without any formal teaching taking place.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
16 Feb 2025
10. A Positive Outlook: Balancing PDA parenting with studying for a degree, SEND advocacy, sibling needs and staying optimistic as a single mum
In this podcast episode, we meet Sarah, a single mum of two from Bristol, about her experiences navigating life with her 12 year old PDAer daughter, Isla, and Isla's older brother. Sarah shares insights from her journey, detailing the challenges of finding the right educational setting for Isla, the difficulties with local authorities, her transition to home education, and her passion for advocacy within the special educational needs community. Sarah also reflects on personal growth, self-care, staying optimistic, and balancing the dynamics of parenting two children with different needs while finishing her degree and planning to pursue a career in social work.
Sarah & Isla's Instagram: @pdaspectrumgirl (https://www.instagram.com/pdaspectrumgirl/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
17 Dec 2024
09. Christmas Special: Real-life tips from parents for a calm holiday season with autistic & PDA children
Rose shares practical strategies and personal experiences for creating a low-stress Christmas with autistic & PDA children, promoting incremental growth and comfort.
16 Sept 2024
08. Diagnosing the Environment
A conversation with Kate Steer at Nurtured Neuro Kids (https://www.nurturedneurokids.com/), a neurodivergent family coach and education consultant. We explore her journey as a parent raising a PDA child while reflecting on how her child psychology background has influenced her approach to parenting.
Kate discusses the challenges of meeting a child’s individual needs, focusing on conscious and intentional parenting methods. We also talk about common misconceptions in neurodivergent child development and the critical role of creating supportive, understanding environments for children who are struggling, to allow them to thrive, regardless of what, if any, diagnosis the child haspodc. Kate offers valuable insights on the importance of meeting children where they are rather than forcing them into expected roles, helping parents understand the difference between managing vs controlling their child’s environment.
Kate's Instagram: @nurturedneurokids (https://instagram.com/nurturedneurokids)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
26 Jun 2024
07. Fatherhood and PDA: Ben's Journey
Rose chats to Ben, a father of three boys diagnosed with autism and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). This episode offers a heartfelt and insightful look into parenting children with PDA and the continuous process of learning and adapting, from a dad's perspective.
Ben's Instagram: @daddydinosaurpda (https://www.instagram.com/daddydinosaurpda/)
Ben shares his family's experiences, the challenges they face, and their journey of discovering PDA. He discusses their parenting style, including transitioning to low demand parenting, and the struggles and rewards that come with it. Ben also talks about his efforts to raise awareness for PDA through running a half marathon fundraising for the PDA Society, and the importance of community and support in their lives. He reflects on the impact of PDA on their family dynamics and the steps they've taken to protect their mental health and relationship as a couple, too.
00:00 Introduction to Ben and His Family
01:00 Discovering PDA: The Light Bulb Moment
03:43 Challenges and Misconceptions About PDA
06:33 Transition to Low Demand Parenting
08:06 Mental Health and Family Dynamics
14:04 Running for a Cause: Raising Awareness for PDA
16:48 Building a Supportive Community
18:00 Home Education Journey
26:24 Reflections and Future Vision
33:10 Advice for New Parents
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
13 Jun 2024
06. Unschooling and Unmasking: How to Live an Authentic Neurodivergent Life Going Against Societal Norms
Linsey's Instagram: @unschoolingstanley (https://www.instagram.com/unschoolingstanley/)
Linsey from the West Midlands discusses unschooling her three children, particularly her PDA son Stanley. She shares her motivations, challenges, and the influence of her own neurodivergence on her parenting and educational philosophy. Linsey emphasises authenticity and discusses her own personal growth as an unmasked adult, and how this has affected her own life and relationships.
Main Topics:
Unschooling, child-led education, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), neurodivergence, personal growth, authenticity, parenting challenges, emotional well-being.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
23 May 2024
05. Finding the Fun in Mathematics: A Conversation About Joyful Maths For Home Educators
Former maths teacher turned home educator, Ruth Rinaldi, shares her insights into how to make mathematics accessible and enjoyable for all ages and abilities, even if parents don't have a lot of maths knowledge; common misconceptions and mistakes we make while approaching maths education; and specific examples and resources for parents on how to facilitate their child's interest at the appropriate level without making it into a formal lesson.
A treasure trove of an episode for those who find maths education a bit daunting!
Ruth's Instagram: @joyfulmaths_homeed (https://www.instagram.com/joyfulmaths_homeed/)
Ruth's courses & free downloads: https://stan.store/Joyfulmaths_homeed (https://stan.store/Joyfulmaths_homeed )
Maths resources mentioned in the episode:
Transum (transum.org) || YouCubed (youcubed.org) || NRICH (https://nrich.maths.org/frontpage)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
3 May 2024
04. From Classroom to #VanLife: How Ex-Teacher Sharon Became An Unschooling Advocate
Ex-teacher and mum of two Sharon discusses her thoughts about the education system with Rose. We talk about how she unschools her PDAer alongside her other autistic son, having de-schooled herself. Reflections on the difficulties and learning curves of home education, including self-care for parents, and adapting to each child's unique needs. Exploring the family's adaptation to living and learning in a van this year, with plans for travel across Europe!
Sharon's Instagram: @learning_to_unlearn_uk (https://www.instagram.com/learning_to_unlearn_uk/)
Source of the school refuser statistic referenced towards the end of the episode: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10556686/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10556686/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
13 Apr 2024
03. Our Autism Diagnosis & PDA Discovery Journey
*Content advisory: Birth and breastfeeding are discussed in the first 5 minutes*
Rose shares the first signs of autism she saw in her baby son, and the trauma he went through that she thinks may have caused his PDA; the steps she had to take to be taken seriously on the NHS autism assessment pathway; and finally the diagnosis and support she was offered. In the second half there is also a mention of DLA and the application process for that.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
26 Feb 2024
02. Mum Amy Rutter's experience of parenting a PDAer in burnout, getting an EHCP and EOTAS, and managing work alongside being a carer
Amy shares her son's long journey to a diagnosis, getting an EHCP and EOTAS, but can her PDAer actually access the learning provided by the package?
Amy also shares her motivation to create the Parent Carer Cheerleading Squad, a community to support and uplift fellow parent carers:
Amy's Instagram: @amymrutter (https://www.instagram.com/amymrutter/)
Facebook: Parent Carer Cheerleading Squad group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentcarercheerleadingsquad)
Further reading: https://linktr.ee/amymrutter (https://linktr.ee/amymrutter)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
21 Dec 2023
The difference between PDA vs "vanilla" demand avoidance; unschooling basics and why it works well for PDAers
Rose introduces the podcast and why the concept became "unschooling with PDA". What's the difference between PDA and demand avoidance in autism and ADHD? Discussing the essence of unschooling and why Rose thinks it's the best way for her son and most other younger PDAers.
PDA Society website: https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/ (https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/)
* Disclaimer: this podcast is for entertainment purposes only. It does not claim to be official medical advice of any kind. Please speak to your paediatrician if you need advice.*
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
21 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 22 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
23
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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