What if most of what we’ve been told about PDA actually keeps our kids stuck — and there’s a better way to help them thrive? Host Kirk Martin, a PDA dad with a PDA son, shares insights, strategies, and real-life experience to help your child with PDA grow confidence and capacity — without force, avoidance, or walking on eggshells. Visit https://CelebrateCalm.com/PDA to learn more.
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Sep 29, 2026 · 20:15
When our PDA kids opt out of group chats, sit alone at lunch, or skip school assemblies, our immediate parental reaction is to worry and try to "fix" their social skills. But…
Sep 15, 2026 · 6:32
When I resist, it’s not because I need control—it’s because I’ve had none. I’m not trying to make your lives harder. I’m trying to protect something essential inside me." In this…
Aug 25, 2026 · 32:46
I completely understand why empathetic parents and experts would claim that PDA is a nervous system disability. But I think it can lead to kids feeling a loss of autonomy,…
Aug 11, 2026 · 8:56
Constant demand avoidance can leave you feeling exhausted and stuck. But behind the refusal lies an utterly fascinating internal world where your kids are building, tinkering,…
Jul 28, 2026 · 8:00
When your child digs refuses to listen, your instinct as a Dad is just like mine was: “I can’t let this kid get away with this. How will this child ever succeed in life?” That…
Jul 21, 2026 · 24:20
I don’t do fear with parenting, but I am genuinely concerned about mainstream PDA advice that is handicapping many of our kids and robbing them of their childhood. Some recommend…
Jun 30, 2026 · 25:05
What other parents take for granted can be a huge struggle for your child—and for you. Because you are likely that exhausted caregiver just trying to get through the day. I want…
Jun 23, 2026 · 17:44
Your kids are going to resist, feel anxious about, want to quit, or refuse to try new experiences such as summer camp. There isn't just one way to handle this and it won't always…
Jun 16, 2026 · 6:59
Your child yells and demands that you bring them food or do something for them, and when you do, they berate you for not doing it right. The conventional wisdom is that your only…
Jun 2, 2026 · 11:23
Many parents going through our PDA Parent Program said this question has helped them see their child with PDA in a completely different way and changed their relationship. A Dad…
May 26, 2026 · 30:57
How can you get kids with PDA to do hard things like go to the dentist or get on an airplane? The common sentiment, “Not Won’t. Can’t” can be debilitating for our kids when it…
May 19, 2026 · 32:52
Do you have a child with PDA who struggles with feeling wronged, who misinterprets others’ intentions, or who doesn’t deal well with unfairness like a brother getting a bigger…
May 12, 2026 · 27:04
Your kids will and should struggle with a more authoritarian approach at school. They may roll their eyes at a teacher or resist that “because I said so” mentality. I want to…
May 5, 2026 · 34:31
How can we help teachers understand PDA? What specific tools will help our kids with PDA in the classroom? What is really important and what isn’t? I give you scripts and…
Apr 24, 2026 · 18:33
I want to give you reasonable alternatives to delivering food to your child’s room AND a challenge that may or may not work…but would be fascinating to try! Get personal…
Apr 21, 2026 · 22:30
If you misunderstand your child’s motives and need for autonomy, it will provoke fierce defiance, pain, and pushback. I want to show you exactly how to help kids who don’t always…
Apr 10, 2026 · 27:34
You have been here before. You may be in this situation now. Your child has shut down and refuses to do anything. You can’t force, bribe, convince, or threaten. But I don’t want…
Apr 3, 2026 · 9:58
Your kids will take risks, be vulnerable, do hard things, and use their big hearts when they care about something. But it can’t be at your urging and they don’t value the same…
Mar 27, 2026 · 23:13
Do you have a child with PDA who struggles with perfectionism? This will cause our kids to lash out, get stuck, shut down, and be extremely frustrated. I want to give you 12…
Mar 23, 2026 · 22:41
Some kids refuse to get off screens or go to school. Some refuse to leave their room. I know you never envisioned your home life being this challenging. Maybe you thought you’d…
Mar 13, 2026 · 23:49
Does your child struggle with taking a shower, brushing teeth, and bedtime? This can be debilitating and cause daily stress and power struggles—and tension between parents. I…
Mar 7, 2026 · 30:20
It is so common for us to feel stuck as parents or paralyzed with fear when your child with PDA is resisting, shutting down, or anxious. But giving kids too much autonomy with…
Feb 28, 2026 · 20:55
Whether you have a child with ADHD, PDA, Dyslexia, SPD or any other difference, siblings ARE going to feel like they are being treated unfairly. I want to give you very specific…
Feb 21, 2026 · 18:39
Kids with PDA do not avoid demands. They categorically reject external demands that are deemed unnecessary…in order to focus on completing projects that are very demanding…
Feb 16, 2026 · 18:09
This is what children with PDA often feel: “I already know I am struggling. I don’t want to hear that another person is 100% focused on MY anxiety. I already think I am weak for…
Feb 13, 2026 · 15:37
Our PDA kids will resist so many things. You can’t push, force, bribe, convince, or threaten them. It won’t work. But you can go way beyond giving accommodations or letting kids…
Feb 10, 2026 · 9:00
Why do your kids feel so frustrated and misunderstood? Are they really demand avoidant and controlling? Or are we missing something? This short episode revealing what many kids…
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