Parenting as a PDAer

About this episode

Rachel and Riko discuss the unique challenges and approaches to parenting as a PDAer.

In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Riko Ryuki to explore what it is like parenting as a PDAer. Riko shares openly about raising three children, two of whom have PDA profiles, while navigating their own PDA and additional disabilities. Together, Rachel and Riko discuss how parenting can look and feel different when you also experience high demand sensitivity yourself. The conversation explores the realities of everyday family life, including adapting routines to meet individual needs, responding flexibly rather than rigidly, and understanding that even children with the same profile can require very different approaches. Riko reflects on being more child-led, matching expectations to capacity, and resisting more traditional "because I said so" parenting models. Part 1 focuses on lived experience, connection and reframing. Riko speaks about the strengths that can come from shared understanding, the moments of joy and closeness that can emerge when anxiety is managed well, and some of the misconceptions they have encountered from others about parenting differently. Key Themes * Parenting with a PDA profile * Being child-led and adapting to fluctuating needs *…

People in this episode

Host: Rachel

Guest: Riko Ryuki

Topics covered

• Parenting with a PDA profile
• Child-led parenting
• Neurodivergent children
• Flexible parenting approaches
• Shared neurodivergence

Keywords

• PDA parenting
• high demand sensitivity
• neurodiversity
• flexible routines
• child-led approaches

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: PDA Society

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