About this episode
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), pervasive drive for autonomy, is a deeply misunderstood and often overlooked profile within the neurodivergent spectrum. For many families, living with PDA can feel confusing, isolating, and emotionally overwhelming, especially when traditional parenting approaches seem to make things harder, not easier.In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Dr. Casey Ehrlich, a researcher, coach, and mother to two PDA children, who brings both personal insight and professional expertise to help us reframe what’s really going on beneath the behaviours.If you’ve ever been told your child is “oppositional” or “defiant,” or your child resists even basic everyday requests, from brushing their teeth to getting dressed, or you're exhausted from trying to get it “right,” and you’re starting to question the very foundations of what parenting is “supposed” to look like...This conversation is for you.With the right support and education, children with PDA can thrive. And as parents, we can begin to feel more resourced, more connected, and far less alone in supporting our kids.Tickets to our first LIVE ADHD Women's Wellbeing Event are ON SALE!Click here to book your ticket for a full day of community, connection, awareness and growth.Key Takeaways:Why Casey prefers the term "pervasive drive for autonomy"How PDA can override even basic needs like eating, hygiene and safetyWhy traditional parenting approaches often backfire and what to try insteadThe four observable PDA traits: survival drive for autonomy, equalising, masking, and need for undivided attentionHow PDA differs from Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)What nervous system dysregulation looks like in PDA children and how to support itThe emotional toll on parents and how to care for yourself tooHow animals can support emotional regulation for PDA kidsWhat PDA can look like in adulthood (and why it's often misread as narcissism or avoidance)Timestamps07:01: A Deep Dive into Pervasive Drive for Autonomy12:22: Understanding Oppositional Defiance and PDA18:13: The Journey of Parenting Neurodivergent Children23:34: A Paradigm Shift to Parenting PDA Kids26:51: Understanding PDA and Burnout35:57: Nervous System Activation in Parenting and Adult Life41:21: The Impact of PDA on Relationships47:
