The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
Welcome to the Empowered Parent Podcast! This is your space to grow your confidence and skills in communicating, interacting, and understanding your children—so you can become the empowered parent you are destined to be.
In each episode, I speak with inspiring parents, therapists, and community leaders who truly understand the joys and challenges of parenting. Together, we explore a treasure trove of information and practical ideas for you to try at home.
We cover topics like:
- Celebrating neurodivergence
- School readiness
- The power of play
- Managing behaviors with compassion
- Discovering your and your child’s unique profiles
- Stories of parents finding strength and purpose through their parenting journey
This podcast is for all parents. It’s a place to build community and a sense of belonging—a space where you can ask questions, connect with others, and learn from experts who work with children every day.
Our goal is to empower you to:
- Learn more about yourself as a parent
- Take time for your own growth and well-being
- Discover new tools and resources to raise happy, confident kids
- Nurture your self-confidence in parenting
Let’s work together to make the world a better, more understanding, and compassionate place for everyone—young and old!
Don’t forget to like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app. I’d love to hear your topic suggestions and guest speaker ideas. Reach out via danabaltutis.com or join my Facebook community: My Therapy House And Friends Empowered Parent Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583062577433444
Let’s connect, grow, and thrive together!
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
Episode 47: Ruth Fidler (Educational Consultant) - Fostering Acceptance and Flexibility in Education
Renowned educational consultant Ruth Fidler joins us to unravel the complex world of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and its profound impact on educational settings. Through Ruth's journey and her deep connection with children who develop differently, we gain insights into the unique challenges faced by individuals with PDA, rooted in autism. Discover how hypersensitivity to demands can lead to avoidance of everyday tasks and explore the emotional undercurrents that affect these children. With increasing awareness in countries like Australia, Ruth's expertise provides a valuable lens for understanding and supporting children with PDA and autism.
Navigating the educational landscape for neurodiverse children requires thoughtful strategies, especially when fostering positive relationships and managing transitions. We delve into the significance of maintaining strong student-teacher connections and the unexpected benefits of nurturing relationships with non-teaching staff. By integrating creative activities like art and music into daily routines, educators can bolster students' emotional well-being and self-regulation. The episode also highlights the critical role of parents and the challenges they face when schools limit their involvement, advocating for flexibility and greater autonomy for students.
Choosing the right school for sensitive or neurodiverse children can be a daunting task for parents. This episode offers guidance on navigating these decisions by emphasizing acceptance, flexibility, supportive staff, and sensory-friendly environments. We also address the broader themes of supporting neurodiversity in education, focusing on recovery time and adaptable approaches for autistic children, including those with PDA. Special attention is paid to the unique challenges faced by autistic girls in obtaining timely diagnoses, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies and systemic support. Through Ruth Fidler's insights, we provide practical advice for parents and educators, aiming to foster a more inclusive educational experience for all.
https://autismassociates.co.uk/ruth
https://autismawarenesscentre.com/shop/education-classroom/collaborative-approaches-to-learning-for-pupils-with-pda/
https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/resources/engaging-children-with-pda-in-learning-promoting-their-emotional-wellbeing/
https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B00MTB8NRA
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
