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ADHD & Neurodiversity

A young boy with autism and PDA is running away from his concerned mother in a park, his expression showing determination rather than defiance. He's reaching toward imaginary characters only he can see, illustrating how elopement and fantasy often intertwine as coping mechanisms for children with PDA who seek escape from overwhelming demands.

A young boy with autism and PDA is running away from his concerned mother in a park, his expression showing determination rather than defiance. He's reaching toward imaginary characters only he can see, illustrating how elopement and fantasy often intertwine as coping mechanisms for children with PDA who seek escape from overwhelming demands.

Understanding When a Child with Autism and PDA Elopes or Uses Fantasy

When a child with autism and PDA elopes or uses fantasy, they're using coping mechanisms to manage overwhelming demands and anxiety. Learn how to support their need for autonomy while keeping them safe, with practical strategies for parents navigating these challenging behaviors while fostering connection and understanding.

Apr 208 min read

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A neurodivergent child with autism and PDA sitting alone looking disinterested among toys and activities, demonstrating the common experience of boredom that masks underlying anxiety and demand avoidance.

A neurodivergent child with autism and PDA sitting alone looking disinterested among toys and activities, demonstrating the common experience of boredom that masks underlying anxiety and demand avoidance.

Understanding and Supporting Your Autistic and PDA Child Who Is Always Bored

Parenting an autistic and PDA child who is always bored presents unique challenges that go beyond typical childhood restlessness. Discover how anxiety, demand avoidance, and sensory needs contribute to expressions of boredom, and learn practical, parent-tested strategies to support your child's engagement while respecting their need for autonomy.

Apr 198 min read

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A young boy with autism and PDA sits close to his supportive mother, his face showing the deep emotional impact of rejection sensitivity. His shoulders are slumped and eyes downcast as his mom gently places her arm around him, creating a safe space during this difficult emotional moment.

A young boy with autism and PDA sits close to his supportive mother, his face showing the deep emotional impact of rejection sensitivity. His shoulders are slumped and eyes downcast as his mom gently places her arm around him, creating a safe space during this difficult emotional moment.

Rejection Sensitivity (RSD), PDA, and Autism: Understanding the Emotional Landscape of Our Children

Understanding rejection sensitivity (RSD) transforms how we parent children with autism and PDA, creating emotional safety for their unique needs.

Apr 108 min read

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A young neurodivergent child with autism and PDA covering their face with hands, showing signs of extreme embarrassment in a classroom setting.

A young neurodivergent child with autism and PDA covering their face with hands, showing signs of extreme embarrassment in a classroom setting.

When Emotions Run High: Understanding Extreme Embarrassment with Autism and PDA

Embarrassment in children with autism and PDA: practical strategies for parents to support emotional regulation and build resistance

Mar 298 min read

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A young neurodivergent child sitting at a desk looking frustrated while working on a task, representing the challenges of developmental plateau

A young neurodivergent child sitting at a desk looking frustrated while working on a task, representing the challenges of developmental plateau

Understanding Developmental Plateau with Autism and PDA: A Parent's Guide

Understanding developmental plateaus in autism: not setbacks but periods of invisible growth. Learn how to support your child through these

Mar 187 min read

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Understanding Stimming in Public for Children with PDA and Autism

Understanding Stimming in Public for Children with PDA and Autism

Understanding Stimming in Public for Children with PDA and Autism

Discover how to support your child's stimming in public while navigating PDA and autism with confidence, compassion and practical strategies

Mar 167 min read

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A young boy with autism and PDA sleeping peacefully in a sensory-friendly nap space, surrounded by comfort items including a weighted blanket and soft cushions. The room features gentle lighting and minimal distractions, creating an environment that supports his neurodivergent sleep needs.

A young boy with autism and PDA sleeping peacefully in a sensory-friendly nap space, surrounded by comfort items including a weighted blanket and soft cushions. The room features gentle lighting and minimal distractions, creating an environment that supports his neurodivergent sleep needs.

PDA and Napping: Understanding Your Child's Rest Needs

Finding peaceful paths to rest for children with PDA and autism requires understanding, not demands. Learn strategies that actually work!

Mar 157 min read

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A neurodivergent girl with autism sharing a warm embrace with her happy, smiling mother, illustrating the beautiful connection and unconditional love between them despite societal challenges they may face.

A neurodivergent girl with autism sharing a warm embrace with her happy, smiling mother, illustrating the beautiful connection and unconditional love between them despite societal challenges they may face.

The Social Stigma of Autism vs. ADHD: What Parents Need to Know

ADHD is often more socially accepted than autism or PDA. Learn strategies to help your child thrive despite these unfair perceptions.

Mar 149 min read

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A smiling blonde girl with autism sits at her school desk, holding an open book. Her genuine expression captures a moment of joy and engagement in the learning environment, showcasing neurodivergent children thriving when supported in educational settings.

A smiling blonde girl with autism sits at her school desk, holding an open book. Her genuine expression captures a moment of joy and engagement in the learning environment, showcasing neurodivergent children thriving when supported in educational settings.

The Hidden Struggle: Masking Autism and PDA at School

Masking autism and PDA at school exhausts children and impacts mental health. Recognize the signs and support your child's authentic self.

Mar 139 min read

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Two parents sitting side by side, each holding a neurodivergent child with autism. One parent is making gentle eye contact while breathing deeply with their child, while the other is providing a calming deep pressure hug. Both demonstrate effective co-regulation techniques that provide emotional security and comfort.

Two parents sitting side by side, each holding a neurodivergent child with autism. One parent is making gentle eye contact while breathing deeply with their child, while the other is providing a calming deep pressure hug. Both demonstrate effective co-regulation techniques that provide emotional security and comfort.

Co-Regulation and "Enabling"

Co-regulation isn't enabling—it's essential. Learn how your presence helps your child with PDA & autism develop emotional regulation skills.

Mar 1210 min read

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A smiling young girl with curly hair sits beside her supportive mother, both looking happy as they engage in a creative activity together. The image represents their journey of discovery after finding that the girl's autism and PDA had been hidden behind her initial ADHD diagnosis, illustrating how proper understanding leads to better connection and joy between parent and child.

A smiling young girl with curly hair sits beside her supportive mother, both looking happy as they engage in a creative activity together. The image represents their journey of discovery after finding that the girl's autism and PDA had been hidden behind her initial ADHD diagnosis, illustrating how proper understanding leads to better connection and joy between parent and child.

Autism Hidden Behind ADHD: Recognizing the Signs Your Child's Complete Story

When autism hides behind ADHD, understanding your child's complete neurodevelopmental profile leads to better support and connection.

Mar 1113 min read

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Two smiling grandparents sitting closely with their granddaughter who has PDA and autism. They're engaged in a calm activity together, demonstrating their active involvement in supporting both their granddaughter and adult child. Their genuine smiles and attentive postures show understanding and acceptance rather than judgment, creating a safe and loving environment for their neurodivergent grandchild.

Two smiling grandparents sitting closely with their granddaughter who has PDA and autism. They're engaged in a calm activity together, demonstrating their active involvement in supporting both their granddaughter and adult child. Their genuine smiles and attentive postures show understanding and acceptance rather than judgment, creating a safe and loving environment for their neurodivergent grandchild.

Supporting Your Children When Your Grandchild Has PDA and Autism: A Grandparent's Guide

Grandparents: Learn how to truly support your adult children raising kids with PDA and autism through understanding, not judgment.

Mar 107 min read

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A happy neurodivergent girl with her arms raised joyfully while playing on a sensory swing. Her expression shows the comfort and delight that appropriate sensory input can provide for children with PDA and autism.

A happy neurodivergent girl with her arms raised joyfully while playing on a sensory swing. Her expression shows the comfort and delight that appropriate sensory input can provide for children with PDA and autism.

Navigating Sensory Processing Challenges in Children with PDA and Autism

Learn how sensory processing challenges affect children with PDA and autism - learn practical strategies for supporting their unique needs.

Mar 98 min read

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A teenage girl with curly hair partially hiding her face behind a decorative mask, symbolizing how girls with autism and PDA often 'mask' their true selves to fit in socially. Her eyes visible above the mask show a mix of vulnerability and determination, representing the emotional complexity of neurodivergent teens navigating social expectations while concealing their authentic experiences.

A teenage girl with curly hair partially hiding her face behind a decorative mask, symbolizing how girls with autism and PDA often 'mask' their true selves to fit in socially. Her eyes visible above the mask show a mix of vulnerability and determination, representing the emotional complexity of neurodivergent teens navigating social expectations while concealing their authentic experiences.

Unmasking the Hidden Challenge: Understanding Masking with Autism in Girls

Unmasking hidden struggles: How girls with autism and PDA exhaust themselves trying to fit in, and what parents can do to help them thrive.

Mar 87 min read

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A neurodivergent boy experiencing burnout, face contorted in distress with tears streaming down his cheeks as he screams, visibly overwhelmed by sensory and emotional overload, illustrating the intense reality of autism and PDA burnout.

A neurodivergent boy experiencing burnout, face contorted in distress with tears streaming down his cheeks as he screams, visibly overwhelmed by sensory and emotional overload, illustrating the intense reality of autism and PDA burnout.

When It All Becomes Too Much: Understanding Autistic Burnout and PDA

Learn to spot autistic burnout in PDA children & discover proven strategies from my parenting journey to help your child recover and thrive.

Mar 710 min read

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A neurodivergent child with PDA hugging and intensely focused on her adult friend. Their expression shows deep attachment and affection, illustrating the concept of person-focused obsessions common in children with Pathological Demand Avoidance, autism, and ADHD.

A neurodivergent child with PDA hugging and intensely focused on her adult friend. Their expression shows deep attachment and affection, illustrating the concept of person-focused obsessions common in children with Pathological Demand Avoidance, autism, and ADHD.

Obsession with People and PDA: Understanding Social Attachments in Pathological Demand Avoidance

When children with PDA and autism find someone who makes them feel safe, they don't just like that person—they are enthralled by them.

Mar 613 min read

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A compassionate mother embraces her two children, who display traits of autism, ADHD, anxiety, and PDA. Her gentle, understanding expression shows acceptance of their neurodivergence, while the children's body language reflects both the connection they share and the complex emotions that come with navigating daily challenges. This tender moment captures the beautiful bond between a parent and her children with different neurological needs.

A compassionate mother embraces her two children, who display traits of autism, ADHD, anxiety, and PDA. Her gentle, understanding expression shows acceptance of their neurodivergence, while the children's body language reflects both the connection they share and the complex emotions that come with navigating daily challenges. This tender moment captures the beautiful bond between a parent and her children with different neurological needs.

When They Say You're Not Parenting Hard Enough: Navigating PDA Misconceptions

When told you're not firm enough with your PDA child, remember: you're not "soft parenting" – you're responding to demand avoidance.

Mar 512 min read

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Illustration of a young neurodivergent girl with kitty ears, symbolizing sensory preferences and self-expression in autism, ADHD, and PDA. A relatable representation of autistic masking, special interests, and identity in neurodivergent children.

Illustration of a young neurodivergent girl with kitty ears, symbolizing sensory preferences and self-expression in autism, ADHD, and PDA. A relatable representation of autistic masking, special interests, and identity in neurodivergent children.

When Worlds Overlap: Understanding ASD, ADHD, and PDA in Children

Learn how ADHD, autism, and PDA overlap in children, the challenges of diagnosis, and parent-tested strategies backed by research.

Mar 414 min read

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A young boy with autism, around 8 years old, is visibly upset. His face is red with frustration, his eyebrows are furrowed, and his mouth is open in a loud yell. His fists are clenched, and his body appears tense. The background is blurred but suggests an indoor setting. The image captures the intensity of his emotions, highlighting the challenges of emotional regulation often experienced by autistic children.

A young boy with autism, around 8 years old, is visibly upset. His face is red with frustration, his eyebrows are furrowed, and his mouth is open in a loud yell. His fists are clenched, and his body appears tense. The background is blurred but suggests an indoor setting. The image captures the intensity of his emotions, highlighting the challenges of emotional regulation often experienced by autistic children.

Managing PDA and Autism Aggression in Children: A Parent's Guide to Meltdowns and Hitting Behaviors

Learn practical strategies to help children with PDA and autism manage aggression and meltdowns through connection, not punishment.

Mar 313 min read

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Happy neurodiverse girl smiling brightly, radiating joy and confidence. She has a relaxed posture, expressing warmth and positivity in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Happy neurodiverse girl smiling brightly, radiating joy and confidence. She has a relaxed posture, expressing warmth and positivity in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Does Your Child Have PDA and Autism? Recognizing the Signs & Receiving an Accurate Diagnosis in the USA

Discover how to recognize Pathological Demand Avoidance in children with autism and learn effective strategies to support their unique needs

Mar 28 min read

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