Navigating Parenthood with PDA and Autism with Nia Zihni

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the emotional challenges of parenting a neurodivergent child, including topics such as burnout, meltdowns, sensory overload, and parental guilt. Some listeners may find these themes emotionally sensitive or triggering. Please take care while listening.

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob speaks with Nia Zihni, a neurodivergent parent navigating life with her autistic son, who has a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile. Nia shares the emotional and practical realities of parenting, including managing sensory needs, meltdowns, and burnout. Her story is one of learning, adapting, and building community. Listeners will gain insights into creating a more understanding, flexible, and compassionate home environment.

Key Takeaways:

• Traditional parenting doesn’t always work. Nia has learned to reframe expectations and adapt strategies to fit her family’s needs.

• Reducing daily demands helps her son feel safer and more regulated.

• Community matters, finding your tribe brings support, strength, and shared understanding.

• Self-compassion is key. Letting go of guilt and being gentle with yourself is essential when parenting neurodivergent children.

“The extra thought that goes into providing everything that my son needs, because as his needs change and as I work out what they are, and they're constantly changing. And then as I look at myself through a different lens as well, I found that it's the right thing to do to sort of reduce the expectations on myself.”

About Nia:

Nia is 38 and self-identifies as AUDHD and is Mum to J, a 7-year-old diagnosed as autistic (PDA profile), she works from home while supporting her son and learning to support both their Neurodivergent needs in harmony. Nia finds solace in support groups where she can both offer and receive support for/from adults and parents in similar situations.

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