If parenting feels harder the more strategies you try, this episode gently explains why foundations—not fixes—are what truly support autistic and PDA children long term.
This episode explores attuned parenting foundations for autistic and PDA children.
In this final episode of the Attuned Parenting Foundations series, I’m not introducing anything new — instead, I’m helping you connect the dots.
I walk you through why these foundations matter so deeply when you’re supporting an autistic or PDA child, and why even the most well-intentioned strategies fall apart when nervous systems don’t feel safe.
As I teach it and live it daily to see success, at the heart of attuned parenting are three essential foundations: your wellbeing as the co-regulator, your child’s nervous system and burnout, and the sensory world your child lives in. When one of these is unsupported, everything else becomes harder — for your child, for you, and for your whole family.
This work isn’t about perfection or stopping meltdowns forever. It’s about sustainability. It’s about creating safety, connection before compliance, and capacity over behaviour — so your relationship can grow and stabilise even in a world that isn’t built for neurodivergent children.
I also speak honestly about why parents often know the “why” but struggle in the moment, and why scripts, language, and real-time support matter when you’re already stretched and in survival mode yourself.
If you’re parenting an autistic or PDA child and want support that actually holds you through the hard moments — not just theory — you’re not alone here.
🌱 KEY TAKEAWAYS / SHIFTS
🤍 NEXT STEPS / RESOURCES
If you’d like support putting these foundations into practice, my Attuned Parenting Foundations course is currently free, with 30 days inside the Attuned Parenting Community. You can join via the link in my bio or at chantalhewitt.com/course.
Text me and tell me- What do you want to hear for future episodes?
✨ Raising PDA Community: Join the VIP Waitlist for an exclusive discount when we open again in March 2026! (for parent coaching)
✨ Join Our Supportive Community PDA Motherhood (for mothers) $9/Month (increasing once we have our first group of members, is it you? :) ).
If you're a neurodivergent mother, this space is for you. You don’t have to walk this path alone. Come join us in the PDA Motherhood community—a safe, supportive space where you can unmask, reconnect, and rediscover who you truly are, separate from the demands of parenting.
Join us here
✨ Free PDA Language Guide: FREE GUIDE
About the Show: Chantal Hewitt provides neuroaffirming strategies for Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Autism. We help families navigate autistic burnout, family wellbeing and sibling dynamics, challenging behaviour, school refusal and autism meltdowns using low-demand parenting.
Watch on Youtube! 📺 @chantal.hewitt
