My son experienced intense Emotion Based School Avoidance when we tried to start him at preschool and that trauma signalled the beginning of a difficult and confusing few years where he struggled severely with aggression and access to basic needs. We eventually realized the reason for his behaviour was an underlying nervous system disability called Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a profile of autism.  

 

As we have learned more about PDA and how to support our son, the last few years have been an unexpected journey of discovery, growth, and acceptance, with remarkable silver linings, and tremendous obstacles.

 

My son has never been able to access traditional schooling. Our home is the only place he can rest in his heartspace - that sweet spot of inner knowing and calm confidence where he can follow his intuition, tap into his deep interests, and thrive as a learner, and a human being. 

 

So, by listening to my own heartspace and doing what I knew in my soul was right for my son, I have kept him home, guided him out of burnout, and our family out of crisis. I have complex PTSD from parenting through the harrowing years of my son's burnout crisis, though I am grateful to be able to say that we are all now on the path to healing. I have wisdom to share, and, importantly, the spoons to do so (most of the time!).​

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Life and learning are forever intertwined for my family, so thank you for letting me share our life and our learning with you!