<p>678. Does your child have an extreme, almost involuntary need for control? If everyday requests—like putting on shoes or eating breakfast—trigger an immediate fight-or-flight response, you might be parenting a child with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).</p><p>In this episode that first ran in June of 2022, Dr. Nanika Coor dives deep into the PDA profile, a specific symptom profile often associated with the Autism Spectrum (ASD). She explains why traditional "rewards and consequences" parenting often fails these children and how their behavior is actually a drive for safety, not a choice of defiance.</p><p><strong>You’ll learn:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>What is PDA?</strong> The science behind the anxiety-based need for autonomy.</li><li><strong>The "Stress Bucket" Metaphor:</strong> How to visualize your child’s capacity for demands and prevent overflows (meltdowns).</li><li><strong>8 De-escalation Strategies:</strong> Why <strong>declarative language</strong> and humor work better than direct commands.</li><li><strong>The Power of Co-regulation:</strong> How to shift your mindset from "making them obey" to "helping them feel safe."</li></ul><p>Whether your child has a formal diagnosis or you’re simply struggling with a kiddo who is "extra resistant" to routine, this episode offers the respectful parenting tools you need to repair your connection and find calm in your home.</p><p>Project Parenthood is a <a href="https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/project-parenthood/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Quick and Dirty Tips</strong> </a>&nbsp;podcast, hosted by Dr. Nanika Coor.&nbsp;</p><p>Have a question for Project Parenthood? Email: <a href="https://open.acast.com/networks/699c8f31483a121592b17880/shows/69c14a28007cdcf83fc2137c/episodes/[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>[email protected]</strong></a></p><p>Discover more from Project Parenthood!</p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/QDTProjectParenthood" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Facebook</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Newsletter</strong></a></p><p>Transcripts available on your podcast app.</p><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>