In this episode, we sit down with Casey Ehrlich, founder of At Peace Parents, to explore the transformative power of peaceful parenting, especially for those raising PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidant) children and teens. Casey is a social scientist with a Ph.D. in political science and a parent coach who brings over 15 years of experience to her work with families. She specializes in helping parents lead their children and teens out of burnout and into a space of peace and clarity.
Join us as we delve into what it means to be an ‘At Peace Parent’ and how accommodation as a lifestyle can bring profound peace to your home. We explore how traditional schooling often fails to meet the needs of PDA children and teens and how homeschooling can offer a more flexible and accommodating approach. Casey shares her journey, insights, and practical advice for parents who are struggling to find structure and connection with their PDA children and teens.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding PDA: Learn what PDA is, how it presents behaviorally, and why traditional parenting methods often fail to serve PDA children.
- Grief in Parenting: Casey and Kelly discuss the emotional challenges of parenting, including the grief that often accompanies raising a neurodivergent child, and how to navigate these feelings.
- Peace in Parenting: Discover Casey’s definition of peace in parenting and how parents can become the catalyst for positive change in their homes.
- Radical Acceptance: Explore the concept of radical acceptance and how it can be a powerful tool for creating a peaceful environment for both parents and children.
- The Paradigm Shift: Casey introduces her 5 A framework and shares insights from her Paradigm Shift Program, designed to help parents shift their perspective and approach.
- Research and Future Directions: Learn about the latest research on PDA and what the future holds for bringing more resources to parents, clinicians, and educators.
Chapter Markers:
- 00:00:00 – Welcome
- 00:13:30 – Grief in Parenting
- 00:19:40 – Understanding PDA
- 00:30:42 – Behavioral Expressions of PDA
- 00:42:03 – Connection to School Struggles
- 00:50:12 – Defining Peace in Parenting
- 00:53:55 – The Paradigm Shift Program
- 00:54:58 – 5-A Framework
- 01:01:12 – 4-Framework and Structure for Unschooling
- 01:05:57 – Cost-Benefit Decision Making
- 01:20:01 – Research and Future Directions
Casey Ehrlich
Casey is a wife and mother of two amazing boys. She is also a social scientist with a Ph.D. in political science. Casey currently is a parent coach and educator, the CEO and founder of At Peace Parents, and a leader of the first peer-reviewed studies of PDA in the United States. Casey brings 15 years of work experience and expertise in social science methodology to help parents and therapists understand how to connect with and accommodate PDA Autistic children and teens. She specializes in teaching parents how to lead their child out of burnout and find the clarity, peace, and sense of community they need.
Resources and Support
At Peace Parents™
- Visit At Peace Parents™ to learn more about Casey Ehrlich’s work and access resources on PDA and peaceful parenting.
- At Peace Parents™ Podcast to learn more about all things related to PDA and Casey’s work with parents.
- PDA Parents Podcast is the season of episodes Casey mentioned that she recorded with her friend during the pandemic.
- 7 Steps to Help You in the New School Year is an Instagram Live Casey mentioned in the episode for parents of PDAers in the school system
90-Minute School Day™
- Guide Training™, a live group learning environment, to begin or deepen your deschooling, offered twice a year. Join the waitlist here.
- Tired of homeschooling alone? Join 90-Minute School Day in the Life community we meet weekly and daily through our small groups! Get the support you need to implement natural learning.
- Kelly offers one-on-one coaching and a self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method.
- Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™ here.
At the end of the day, trust your instincts and explore alternatives to what isn’t working!
I’d love to connect personally, find me on Instagram.
You’re doing a great job, let’s make it easier!
Kelly
Be Featured on the Podcast!
The 90-Minute School Day™ podcast aims to support all homeschooling families with a focus on neurodiverse families, with learning differences and unique learning styles. Be featured on the podcast by sharing your story, struggle or asking your question here. Or leave your recording by clicking the mic below.
