Parenting as a PDAer (Two-Part Podcast)

This two-part podcast is included in our monthly and annual subscriptions, or can be purchased individually. It offers extended discussion, deep insight and practical ideas.

Explore our subscription options.

In Part 1, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Riko Ryuki to explore what it is like parenting as a PDAer.

Riko shares openly about raising three children, two of whom have PDA profiles, while navigating their own PDA and additional disabilities. Together, Rachel and Riko discuss how parenting can look and feel different when you also experience high demand sensitivity yourself.

The conversation explores the realities of everyday family life, including adapting routines to meet individual needs, responding flexibly rather than rigidly, and understanding that even children with the same profile can require very different approaches.

Riko reflects on being more child-led, matching expectations to capacity, and resisting more traditional “because I said so” parenting models.

Part 1 focuses on lived experience, connection, and reframing. Riko speaks about the strengths that can come from shared understanding, the moments of joy and closeness that can emerge when anxiety is managed well, and some of the misconceptions they have encountered from others about parenting differently.

Key Themes – Part 1

• Parenting with a PDA profile

• Being child-led and adapting to fluctuating needs

• Raising multiple neurodivergent children with different support requirements

• Misconceptions about flexible parenting approaches

• The strengths and connection that can come from shared neurodivergence

• Managing anxiety within the family system

In Part 2, Rachel continues the conversation with Riko Ryuki (they/them), exploring questions submitted by subscribers about the complexities of parenting as a PDAer.

Riko reflects on the additional emotional labour involved in parenting while managing their own anxiety and demand sensitivity. The discussion explores masking within the parenting role, moments of overwhelm, and how quickly capacity can fluctuate when both parent and child experience high levels of anxiety.

The episode looks at balancing everyone’s needs within the household, including how Riko navigates supporting children through dysregulation while also protecting their own wellbeing. They speak honestly about exhaustion, boundaries, and the importance of modelling flexibility rather than perfection.

Part 2 offers deeper insight into the layered nature of parenting as a PDAer, highlighting both the challenges and the powerful empathy that can come from shared lived experience.

Key Themes – Part 2

• Masking and authenticity within the parenting role

• Managing personal anxiety while supporting dysregulated children

• Capacity fluctuations and emotional labour

• Balancing competing needs within the family

• Modelling flexibility and self-awareness

• Protecting parental wellbeing

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the PDA Society.

While we aim to provide balanced and inclusive discussions, individual experiences and perspectives may vary. The PDA Society is committed to using language and terminology that reflects the preferences of PDA and autistic people, but sometimes our guests may use language and terminology which differs.

Appearance on our podcast is not an endorsement of an individual, and not all of our guests will align with our position on the issues discussed.

Further Sources of Support and Information

• PDA Society Website
  https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/

• PDA Society Training
  https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/support-and-training/training/

• PDA Society Support Service
  https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/support-and-training/support/

Guest Links

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/rikoryuki

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/RikosPDApage1/

Blog
https://dragonriko.wordpress.com/