In 2014 I hit autistic/PDA burnout before I had an accurate diagnosis. I got lucky and found an affirming counselor who approached me with low demands and low expectations to facilitate my healing. I remember the imposter syndrome that I struggled with despite her patience and understanding. At my core, getting “better” felt threatening because […]
My counselor told me I’d know that I was recovered when I… Read More »
Edited to remove more specific commentary on the situation in order to protect victim’s rights. This image I made is labelled for PDA families but is honestly true of ALL children. Children need caregivers to help guide and provide supports where needed. Adults on the other hand are responsible for utilizing the resources they have
A Response to the Harry Thompson/NEST controversy Read More »
Note: This isn’t intended for diagnostic purposes, and keep in mind that there is usually an overlap in conditions. Expanding the discussion to compare and contrast different diagnoses that look similar to PDA. By request I’ve included B&W versions at the end. From a clinical perspective it becomes difficult to accurately diagnose PDA because of
Different Styles of Demand Avoidance, part 2 Read More »
A graphic I made last year that attempted to tease apart different styles of demand avoidance was popular enough that I decided to repost it last week. I then decided it could use some expanding, and came up with the following: In black and white: It has since been shared almost a thousand times making
Different Styles of Demand Avoidance Read More »
Five months ago I rolled out what was essentially an outline of a theory of expanding what are called trauma/threat/adrenal responses. These are the behaviors our bodies engage in when under threat; the most popularized being the four F’s: fight, flight, freeze and fawn. What started this journey was reading a blog my kindred writer
Trauma Responses Revisited Read More »
One assumption about behavior is that if the reaction to something is sophisticated, like lying, faking illness, overly exaggerated reactions, that the NEED must be fabricated too. PDA individuals, even young kids, are known for using sophisticated social strategies to manage their anxiety. There can be a certain false note to these behaviors that make
PDA and Sophisticated Survival Read More »
Please note: This advice is not intended to replace guidance from a trained professional Had my counseling appointment today. Because I’m showing signs of PTSD from my experiences recently my counselor is recommending a treatment he uses called Dorsal Vagus Nerve Threat Response Remediation Technique. He mentioned teaching me it before as something I could
Dorsal Vagus Nerve Threat Response Remediation Technique Read More »
Part 2 of my brief examination of how I see the intersection of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs with Disability. Hierarchy of Needs Intersects Disability My previous blog describes how providing for children’s needs impacts their emotional development into adulthood. Here I view disabilities as the underlying foundation. If disabilities aren’t provided the necessary protections and
Hierarchy of Needs Part 2 Read More »
This is a short series examining the intersection of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs with both childhood development and neurodivergence. Hierarchy of Needs Intersects Childhood Development Through play, exploration, & comfort seeking, children develop each level into a structure that protects their “inner child” as they grow. Children naturally test and explore their environment. Relationships are
Hierarchy of Needs Part 1 Read More »