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Artwork for PDA Society Podcast

PDA Society Podcast

PDA Society
Pathological Demand Avoidance
PDA
Autism
PDA (pathological Demand Avoidance)
Education
Mental Health
PDA Society
Parenting
Anxiety
Meditation
Christmas
Autism Spectrum
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Mainstream Education
Sensory Overload
Engagement Strategies
Classroom Environment
Christmas Day
Menstrual Health
NHS

Welcome to the PDA Society’s podcast, where we explore all things PDA to help make life easier for PDAers, their families, and everyone affected by demand avoidance. Research suggests PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) is a profile of autism, meaning individuals share similar strengths and challenges. A key feature of PDA is extreme demand avoidance – finding it hard or impossible to complete eve... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes37Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

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Artwork for PDA Society Podcast

Latest Episodes

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 t... more

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 create... more

YouTube

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... more

YouTube

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 b... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Nathalie Shek
Advanced practitioner, occupational therapist with a specialist interest in sensory processing, trauma, and attachment
Episode: PDA and the Biology of Sleep
Christine MacInnis
Licensed therapist discussing PDA-informed therapy for parents
California-based therapist
Episode: Finding therapeutic support as a PDA parent
David Boxall
Training and Development Coordinator at Elysian
Elysian (farm-based education)
Episode: Animal therapy for children with SEND
Paula Webb
Parent of three children, including a child with PDA; long-time contributor to PDA Society
PDA Society
Episode: Why Diagnosis Matters for PDA Adults
Tom Crellin
Parent of a PDA individual learning to drive
Family member of a PDA learner
Episode: Learning to Drive
Jim Sahlsberg
A PDAer who learned to drive
Self-identified PDAer
Episode: Learning to Drive
Alice Running
Author and writer focused on autistic lived experience and parenting in a neuroaffirming way
Author and researcher
Episode: Parental Blame and PDA
Bryer Hill
Occupational therapist, founder of Helping Kids Shine (South Wales)
Helping Kids Shine
Episode: Supporting Self-Care, Learning & Leisure: OT Approaches for PDA Children
Keighly Murphy
Operational Manager at Rise, SENCO
Rise
Episode: When School Doesn't Fit: The RISE Skool Approach

Hosts

Sarah
Host with multiple appearances focusing on PDA, education, and family support.
Rachel
Host who frequently co-presents on PDA topics, education, and family strategies.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 28 ratings
  • Thank you

    Such a clear and helpful podcast which has given me a better insight into my child’s behaviour.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kitmoos
    United Kingdom4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Content often emphasizes compassionate, relationship-focused approaches over punitive methods.
Guests frequently share lived experience that feels authentic and relatable.
The show is valued for its resources and emphasis on neurodiversity-aware strategies.
Listeners appreciate practical, actionable tips they can apply at home or school.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#165
United Kingdom/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Animal therapy for children with SEND
Q: how does the Elysian approach differ from more traditional behavioral or educational methods?
It emphasizes a farm-based, relationship-centered model that leverages animal interactions to build trust, autonomy, and engagement. Time, low-demand environments, and a focus on the young person's interests allow for meaningful progress and co-regulation, rather than coercive instruction.
'Connection before correction' The use of NVR for PDA families.
Q: Can NVR strategies be adapted for schools or clinical settings?
Yes, Tracy explains it works best as a whole-child, whole-family approach and has been implemented in places like Renfrewshire to sit within schools, moving away from rewards/consequences toward connection and shared understanding.
Healthcare and PDA: From Avoidance to Access
Q: What are the most important reasonable adjustments a medical team should consider for a PDA patient in hospital?
Most important adjustments include allowing care to be delivered in the patient's preferred setting (often at home), providing a side room when possible, ensuring a pre-prepared hospital passport and respect form are read and followed, maintaining a calm, chatty, non-condescending tone, and clearly outlining what treatments will occur to avoid sudden, unexpected procedures.
Healthcare and PDA: From Avoidance to Access
Q: What kinds of barriers do PDAs and their families commonly face when trying to access medical care?
Barriers include the burden of the appointment process, being interrogated about needs, sensory overload, and the rigidity of healthcare procedures, which all increase anxiety and reduce capacity to comply or communicate effectively.
Parenting as a PDAer
Q: What was your parenting journey like as a PDAer?
It was eventful, starting with not knowing about PDA, then discovering it later, and learning to adapt through PDA-informed strategies which gradually improved the family dynamics.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About PDA Society Podcast

What is PDA Society Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show consistently centers PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) inside the autism spectrum, with a strong emphasis on practical strategies for families, educators, and healthcare professionals. Episodes frequently explore sensory processing, education adaptations, sleep and toileting, healthcare access, and parenting approaches like NVR and declarative language. Guests are often clinicians, parents, or autistic/ PDA-identified individuals who share lived experience and evidence-based insights, making the content especially useful for those seeking actionable tips, resources, and advocacy guidance. A notable pattern is the focus on relationship-based supports, flexible environments, and trauma-informed approaches that honor autonomy and r... more

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Which podcasts are similar to PDA Society Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with PDA Society Podcast:

1. At Peace Parents Podcast
2. Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
3. THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
4. The PDA Parenting Podcast
5. ADHD Chatter

How many episodes of PDA Society Podcast are there?

PDA Society Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 37 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on PDA Society Podcast?

Recent guests on PDA Society Podcast include:

1. Nathalie Shek
2. Christine MacInnis
3. David Boxall
4. Paula Webb
5. Tom Crellin
6. Jim Sahlsberg
7. Alice Running
8. Bryer Hill

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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