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 PDA. He discusses their parenting style, including transitioning to low demand parenting, and the struggles and rewards that come with it. Ben also talks about his efforts to raise awareness for PDA through running a half marathon fundraising for the PDA Society, and the importance of community and support in their lives. He reflects on the impact of PDA on their family dynamics and the steps they've taken to protect their mental health and relationship as a couple, too. 00:00 Introduction to Ben and His Family 01:00 Discovering PDA: The Light Bulb Moment 03:43 Challenges and Misconceptions About PDA 06:33 Transition to Low Demand Parenting 08:06 Mental Health and Family Dynamics 14:04 Running for a Cause: Raising Awareness for PDA 16:48 Building a Supportive Community 18:00 Home Education Journey 26:24 Reflections and Future Vision 33:10 Advice for New Parents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.