So many people unconsciously spend (waste) their lives working toward what they hope will be peace, one day.

Work hard, then rest.

Main meal first, then dessert.

Wees first, then poos. (I made that one up because order hurts my PDA autistic ADHD brain).

We’ve been taught to abandon our...

It never gets easier, nor am I ever better prepared for the moments my autistic children (and I) are exposed to another parent’s grief stricken story about their autistic child.

I was conditioned to believe that the first of my children to be identified autistic had 'disappeared' and there...

Hello, I’m here writing. It isn’t easy, and it isn’t complete.

Be patient with me, please, as I figure out a way to communicate this internalised experience, these thousands of thoughts, these physical movements that come along with those things and the way in which I "say" it...

Walt Whitman said "When I give, I give myself".

Both a blessing and a curse, this is something I am forever navigating and managing. I'm someone that loves to give, because it makes me feel good to see others doing well, and because I will *never* forget where I have come from, it's always been...

I had a close friend and colleague reach out to me about six months ago to ask how I'd feel about them writing a book on parenting neurodivergent children. They know that I'm also working on this (insert laughter coupled with PDA) and honestly?

I was pumped.

If we truly are working in advocacy,...

We have a saying in our family: "PDAers don't make promises".

It's a letting off the hook for all of us, because I can't tell you the amount of times adults try to bargain, not realising the demand that is wrapped up inside of the really exciting thing they get if they comply.

"They PROMISED ME...

(ETA: This is not about being against therapy. It is a piece on the problematic nature of generic frameworks thrown at autistic people, rather than a consideration of the individual needs, wants, preferences and if there actually is a need for therapies.)

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When I hear “What’s the...

Yesterday, someone trolled me on social media.

That in itself isn’t the thing. That happens to autistic folks who joyfully resist the disorder narrative all the time.

It’s threatening to some, to read my writings or hear me speak about my autistic pride.

I was speaking about how so...

Trigger warning: ABA, restraint, compliance therapies, autistic child.

I don't typically share such personal stories about my loved ones, but I feel this one is really, really important.

She’s 12. I knew she was autistic in her infancy. I had to wait for everyone to catch up. It was...

For the PDAer, holidays, birthdays and occasional events can be extremely challenging.

Firstly, there are expectations. The expectation to celebrate, be happy and merry, to receive with thanks and gratitude. To give, to be social and kind, to participate in rituals and to be taken away from our...

The terms "preferred and non preferred" would do well to be set aside when it comes to our children.

These terms are used in conjunction with autistic children often in therapeutic settings in particular, and are related to not completing specific tasks, which can range from not eating particular...