Autistic burnout + boundaries feel impossible with a PDA child. Low-demand parenting helps you choose what to keep, change, or drop to support your PDA, Autistic and / or neurodivergent child's capacity.

Who this is for

Parents of autistic and PDA autistic children who are exhausted, second-guessing boundaries, and trying to support a nervous system with low capacity, sustainably.

What you’ll learn

• How autistic burnout affects capacity (and why “normal expectations” can suddenly be too much) and that that's okay
• Why boundaries can feel like threats for PDA nervous systems
• How to identify the value underneath a boundary (connection, safety, nourishment, wellbeing)
• A simple framework for determining your family's necessary boundaries during burnout seasons
• How to reduce demands while increasing autonomy without losing steadiness as a parent

Key moments / chapters

• 00:00 Low demand parenting for burnout relief: keep/change/drop boundaries
• 01:02 Download the Low Demand Boundaries Workbook + waitlist
• 01:49 Why boundaries backfire for PDA kids (burnout cycle)
• 02:33 Flexible boundaries for fluctuating nervous systems + family values
• 03:33 Is your child in autistic/PDA burnout? Signs + timeframe
• 04:30 Burnout isn’t bad behaviour: nervous system + decreased capacity
• 05:11 Values-based boundaries: keep vs drop + the “why” underneath
• 08:17 Collaboration over “because I said so” (how buy-in reduces stress)
• 10:35 When boundaries become demands: threat response + escalation
• 11:22 Dinner table example: value underneath (connection vs compliance)
• 15:30 Keep the value, change the method (lower demand alternatives)
• 19:20 Small next step: choose what you’ll do instead
• 20:16 Next episode: PDA North America + PDA Experience Report

Resources mentioned

• Low Demand Boundaries Workbook: chantalhewitt.com/values
• Raising PDA waitlist: chantalhewitt.com/waitlist

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Support the show

Explore these topics:

• ⚡ Regulation & Safety: Understand why PDA is a Nervous System Response.
• 🗣️ PDA Foundations: Master the shift to Declarative Language & Safety.
• 🏫 Education & Advocacy: Navigating masking and School Refusal.

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