Unschooling With PDA
Unschooling With PDA 11 episodes Aug 4, 2025
A podcast for parents raising children with the Pathological Demand Avoidance profile of autism. Host Rose, a late-diagnosed autistic mum, shares her own and other parents' experiences with PDA, home education, unschooling, and parenting as a neurodivergent adult. The show offers practical strategies, personal insights, and a supportive sense of community. It emphasizes that families navigating PDA are not alone in the ups and downs of parenting and home educating a PDAer.
Episodes
11. "But How Will They Learn To Read?!"
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 learni
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
09. Christmas Special: Real-life tips from parents for a calm holiday season with autistic & PDA children
In this special Christmas mini episode, Rose shares real-life examples and strategies based on her own and other families' lived experiences, for creating a more comfortable, low-pressure Christmas for neurodivergent children. She also discusses her approach to reflecting on the past year at each year’s end—through personal videos or journaling—to appreciate incremental growth. Hosted on Acast. Se
08. Diagnosing the Environment: How to create spaces that promote learning based on any child's individual needs
A conversation with Kate Steer at Nurtured Neuro Kids, 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 tal
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 Ben shares his family's experiences, the challenges they face, and their journey of discovering P
06. Unschooling and Unmasking: How to Live an Authentic Neurodivergent Life Going Against Societal Norms
Linsey's Instagram: @unschoolingstanleyLinsey 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
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
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 learnin
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
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: @amymrutterFacebook: Parent Carer Cheerleading Squad groupFurther reading: https://linktr.ee/amymrutt
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/* Disclaimer: this podcast is for entertainment purposes only. It does not cl
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