If you’ve ever found yourself whisper-screaming “Why won’t they just DO it?” in the hallway while your child refuses to put socks on for the tenth time… this one’s for you.

In this episode of Autism, ADHD and Us Three, Jenny sits down with Emma McDonnell, a neurodivergent mother navigating life, education, and holidays with children who have Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) which is a profile of autism that turns traditional parenting advice completely on its head.

Emma shares her real, raw journey from career woman to full-time carer, unpacking the WTF is happening?! moments that come with raising PDAers, and the mindset shifts that helped her move from panic to presence.

Together, they explore:
– Why compliance isn’t the goal
– How self-compassion might actually be your best parenting strategy
– The emotional landmines of holiday expectations
– And why “well-being” doesn’t have to mean spa days or 5am journaling

This episode is a permission slip for anyone parenting neurodivergent children through systems that don’t understand them and doing it while running on fumes.

Keywords

PDA parenting
Autism and demand avoidance
Neurodivergent motherhood
Holiday stress & family dynamics
Mental health and well-being
Education & unmet needs
Trauma-informed parenting
Self-compassion for mums
Autistic children and school
Emotional regulation in ND families

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Email: emma@emma-mcdonnell.comWebsite: emma-mcdonnell.comInstagram: @theemmamcdonnell