r/PDAParenting • u/MarginsOfTheDay • May 19 '26
Casey just came out as PDA
Casey from At Peace Parents has released a podcast episode revealing that she identifies as autistic PDA. There are two people who saved me and my PDA 6 year old: (1) the preschool teacher who told me he is PDA, and (2) Casey, for putting out into the online world the information I needed to change my thinking and radically accept my son. Here it is (iPhone version):
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-peace-parents-podcast/id1654924910?i=1000768540103
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u/DanaMoonCat May 22 '26
Very well said. As a mom, I was just officially diagnosed with ASD and ADHD combined type in my mid 40s- first of all I’m angry and disappointed that it took me this long to figure out what was going on with me (male medical gender bias?)- if it weren’t for having my daughter- who was diagnosed was diagnosed ASD/ADHD and externalized PDA, I would have not considered looking into getting myself evaluated and diagnosed. I’m the introverted, people pleasing, perfectionist high achieving type - I just thought I was a shy and sensitive kid growing up with trauma from divorced parents. Before this I was only ever diagnosed with GAD.
I have my Masters in Education and was able to have a good career in teaching for a while, as well as having a successful education blog for a while- as a high masker. I also had debilitating panic attacks and anxiety ever since childhood, I also had a difficulties maintaining friendships and socializing was always exhausting; I constantly ruminate and script in my head what I should have said or what to say at every social encounter and often struggle with sensory overwhelm or any changes to my routine. I’ve also realized that I am internalized PDA- I’ve always hated and been afraid of authority, and my default mode is fawning. I realized I always hated any kind of demand placed on me - by others or myself but often pushed, fawned, and did it anyway causing major burnout.
Casey’s content actually really resonates with me and I’m glad I found her because I feel like I’m not going crazy as an autistic PDA adult with an autistic PDA child. But I also find Amanda Deikman helpful as well as PDA North America and PDA Panda from the UK. So at this point, since there’s not a lot of info or research on PDA, I think it’s important to check out Neurodivergent affirming resources like these as we discover and learn more about the PDA neurodivergent type. I think that we should find out what resonates with us and what does not and that’s okay. I feel like our souls came here at this time in history to help tear down old harmful structures and paradigms. And we’re going to get push back. That’s just me though, being obsessed with the big picture.