In the journey of parenting, few challenges compare to raising strong-willed and neurodivergent children. These amazing kids bring so much joy and uniqueness into our lives, but they also require a lot more guidance in navigating their emotions and reactions. I feel the highs are higher but the lows are lower.

One powerful tool that can help them achieve emotional balance is Tapping, also known as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).

What is Tapping (EFT) and Why is it Important for Kids?

Tapping is a simple yet effective technique that involves gently tapping on specific points on the body while focusing on negative emotions or physical sensations. This method, which combines elements of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology, can help release emotional distress and bring about a sense of calm.

For strong-willed and neurodivergent children, Tapping offers a way to manage their emotions independently and effectively. It empowers them to regulate their own...

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is usually seen as profile on the autism spectrum.  However my own daughter who has an ADHD profile suffers from PDA to a high level, this then makes me ask questions around wether she is AuDHD or if that PDA is common in other areas too - still working that one out!

PDA is characterised by an extreme avoidance of everyday demands and expectations due, often a simple request like "brush your teeth" can put the child into fight, flight, freeze or fawn. Children with PDA often exhibit behaviours that can be challenging for parents and educators to manage, but understanding these behaviours and employing low demand language can help maintain a child's regulation and overall well-being.

What Does PDA Look Like?

Children with PDA may exhibit a range of behaviours that stem from their need to avoid demands and expectations. These behaviours can include:

•  Avoidance: Going to great lengths to avoid demands, including creating distractions or...

It’s funny how a perspective shift can transform everything. 

A strong willed child, can be energetic, can be argumentative, can be absolutely infuriating. They can unintentionally beat you down, especially if you are leading the way with positive discipline, gentle parenting and respectful parenting practices. 

It can all make you questions your sanity.  It forces you to work on yourself, to be come a better parent. You learn to master your own strong willed tendencies, you search out ways to find better grounding and control of yourself. 

You look for tools to support your interactions with your child. You use ‘Time-In” you swerve ‘Reward Charts’ you work hard to never use punishment or reward. 

You build resilience, you teach them how to look at things from a global perspective not just a local perspective (the whole world hates me then becomes that one girl doesn’t like me) 

Life becomes easier and you find a...