At Peace Parents Podcast Ep. 144 - Helping Your PDA Child or Teen Get to A Doctor's Appointment
Feb 6, 2026
A grandmother's struggle to get her PDA autistic grandson to a pediatric visit. Strategies for balancing medication needs with preserving trust. Brainstormed gentle prep, indirect communication and using his elevator interest as leverage. Planned non-restraint first with a clear backup and post-visit repair steps.
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Removing Demands Revealed The Real Child
- Leanne pulled her grandson from school and removed demands, which allowed his defenses to drop and the "sweet child" to return.
- Reducing demands uncovered learning and cooperation that masked classroom behavior hid.
Prioritize Health Over Social Goals
- Prioritize access to medication and basic needs before focusing on social skills.
- Address health-critical appointments first, then rework social or therapy goals.
Control Choices, Then Add Accommodations
- List only options you can control and avoid assuming others will change.
- Focus on boundaries you will enact and plan accommodations after that decision.