The “Good Mom” Myth: How PDA Parents Can Break Free from Holiday Judgment and Comparison
The holidays hit PDA parents harder - and it’s not your fault. In this episode, we break down why judgment, comparison, overwhelm, and the “good mom” myth intensify this time of year - and what’s really happening inside your nervous system and your child’s.You’ll learn: • why your child’s overwhelm triggers your own • how identity friction fuels shame • why holiday environments activate threat states • the parallel process between your nervous system and theirs • how comparison becomes a safety strategy • the difference between belief work and crisis work • how SOOTHE supports in-the-moment connectionIf this episode brought you relief or clarity, join me on December 5th for Robyn Gobbel's Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior workshop. We’ll go deeper into why PDA kids react to demands, what your nervous system needs, and how to support both of you with more ease. Join us → Click HERE to RegisterAnd if you already know you want deeper support, the 12-week January program (created by Robyn Gobbel) is the next step - where we get deeper, turn these nervous system tools into lived, everyday practice and gain parenting confidence. Registration opens this week! Limited enrollment.Click HERE for waitlist.* Mentioned in episode: 'Echolocation for worth' concept comes from the work of Kara Loewentheil
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Talking About Adoption, Autism & Identity: What to Do When You’re Afraid to Get It Wrong
In this episode, Amy explores why some kids - especially adopted, autistic, or PDA-identifying kids - avoid talking about their story, whether it’s adoption, trauma, or a new diagnosis. Using personal experiences from raising her two daughters, she explains how these conversations activate the nervous system and why avoidance is often about safety, not refusal.You’ll learn how to share your child’s story without triggering demand avoidance, how to “drip in” information gently over time, and why honesty paired with safety builds stronger identity and self-esteem. Amy also introduces her SAFE Story Framework to help parents approach disclosure with confidence and connection.Mentioned in This EpisodeFocus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior workshop (created by Robyn Gobbel, adapted for PDA and led by Amy Kotha) - December 5th @ 12 PM ETRaising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors - a Parent Course (created by Robyn Gobbel, adapted for PDA and led by Amy Kotha) the 12-week parenting experience beginning January 12th, 2026 Waitlist open now - Click HERE to be the first to know more!
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You Don’t Have to Fix Your Child: The Shift That Changes Everything
In this episode, Amy speaks directly to the part of every parent that whispers, “You’ve got to fix this.”Drawing from her own journey - from years of researching and even attending graduate school to understand her child’s behavior - she shares what she’s learned about the nervous system, safety, and why trying to “fix” our children keeps both parent and child stuck in a cycle of stress.Listeners will hear how Amy reframed her approach to parenting a neurodivergent, PDA-profile child - and how understanding safety as the foundation for behavior can transform family life.This episode is a powerful reminder that parenting isn’t about control; it’s about connection, curiosity, and co-regulation.In This Episode, Amy Shares:Why the “fix-it” mindset is so common (and so exhausting) for parentsHow understanding the nervous system changes everything about behaviorThe role of safety and connection in regulating both parent and childHow parents can step out of fear and into curiosity - even on hard daysWhat it means to create “cues of safety” for both yourself and your childMentioned in This Episode:Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors – A Parent Course Developed by Robyn Gobbel, MSW, and adapted for PDA parents/led by Amy Kotha. ➡️ Join the Waitlist Here!Bonus Session inside the January 12-week course with Danielle Rodda, Neurodivergent Consulting: Exploring unschooling and homeschooling for PDA kids - how to lower pressure, rebuild trust, and make learning feel safe again.Related Resource: Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior - live workshop and ebook created by Robyn Gobbel, adapted for PDA parents and led by Amy Kotha ➡️ Learn More and Register Here!Connect with Amy:Instagram → @amykcoachWebsite → www.amykcoach.com
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From Fear to Hope: Parenting Through Crisis with Compassion
In this heartfelt episode, Amy opens up about a recent family crisis that brought her to her knees - and the quiet resilience that helped her rise again. Through personal reflection, she explores the science of co-regulation, the role of community in healing, and what clinical psychologist Dr. Matt Zakreski calls “psychological capital” - hope as something we can actively build through small acts of connection.You’ll leave with compassion, clarity, and a practical 5-step plan for crisis moments - so you can respond with love, not fear.Resources Mentioned:Dr. Matt Zakresky — In the Business of Hope: How to Keep Believing When Things Feel ImpossibleDr. Mona Delahooke — The Developmental Iceberg: Looking Below the Surface of Challenging BehaviorsCrisis & Suicide Lifeline (U.S.) — Call or text 988Find a Helpline (International) — findahelpline.com📄 Download Amy’s ND-Accommodating Family Safety Plan - a neurodivergent-affirming guide to help you stay grounded and prepared during emotional storms. ❤️ Get your free copy by clicking HERE Join the waitlist for Amy’s new 12-week parent course: “Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors - a course for parents” - created by Robyn Gobbel and led by Amy Kotha. Adapted for families raising sensitive, PDA, or neurodivergent kids who need a new kind of understanding. Join the Waitlist → Click HERE
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Why Hygiene is Hard for PDA Autistic Kids (and How Parents Can Help)
Why is hygiene such a struggle for PDA autistic kids? And why does pushing only make it harder?In this episode of the PDA Parenting Podcast, Amy explores the real reasons behind resistance to toothbrushing, showering, and other daily self-care routines. You’ll learn how nervous system responses, sensory sensitivities, and demand avoidance all play a role, and why it’s never about laziness or willfulness. Amy shares practical, creative strategies that ease the pressure, support autonomy, and restore connection - so parents can move away from shame and toward compassion. Whether it’s silly characters like “Ms. Helga,” salon visits, or scaffolding with small steps, this conversation offers hope, empathy, and tools for families walking this path.Want more support? Join the waitlist for my upcoming 12-week parent course, Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors (developed by Robyn Gobbel, led by me, Amy K). You’ll be the first to know when doors open! 👉 Join the waitlist here: https://amykcoach.myflodesk.com/bafflingbehaviors
A podcast for parents raising PDA autistic kids and teens. Real talk, personal stories, and practical tools to move from chaos to connection - hosted by parent coach Amy Kotha.
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