Jessie Townz: The Struggles and Triumphs of Parenting a Child with PDA

In this episode of "We're Not Your Typical," we welcome Jessie, who talks about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a condition that many people may not be familiar with. Jessie shares her personal journey as a mother to a seven-year-old boy with PDA, explaining what the term means and how it manifests in daily life. PDA is characterized by a loss of autonomy, leading to intense reactions to everyday demands, which can result in physical outbursts and a constant state of fight, flight, or freeze. The discussion also touches on the relationship between PDA and autism, clarifying that while PDA is often profiled within Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is a distinct condition. Tune in to learn more about PDA and gain insights into the experiences of families navigating this unique challenge.