Complex Kids, Simple Solutions

Amanda Preston – Parenting 8 Neurodivergent Kids: Advocacy, PDA, and Real-Life Wisdom

Michelle Choairy Season 1 Episode 7

In this powerful episode of Complex Kids, Simple Solutions, Michelle sits down with Amanda Preston, a mom to eight neurodivergent children, a late-diagnosed ADHD adult, and a fierce advocate for families navigating complex needs.

Amanda brings a rare blend of personal insight and professional expertise. As a registered social worker, author, and CEO of Deer Creek Family Support & Therapy, she specializes in Autism and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) and leads a national nonprofit serving foster and adoptive families. Her coaching business, Amanda Preston Co., helps parents feel seen, supported, and equipped to lead their families with compassion and clarity.

Michelle and Amanda dive into what it really looks like to parent multiple neurodivergent kids, how to recognize PDA when typical parenting approaches fall short, and why traditional behavior models often do more harm than good. Amanda shares hard-won wisdom, a refreshing sense of humor, and the belief that thriving is possible—even in the chaos.

This is an episode you’ll want to share with every parent who feels like they’re doing it alone.

👤 About the Guest
Amanda Preston is a mom to eight neurodivergent kids and a late-diagnosed ADHD adult. She’s an author, social worker, founder of a national nonprofit supporting foster/adoptive families, and CEO of Deer Creek Family Support & Therapy, a practice that supports neurodivergent families and specializes in Autism and PDA. Amanda also runs a coaching business offering courses and support for parents through Amanda Preston Co.

🔗 Connect with Amanda
Website: www.amandaprestonco.com
Therapy Practice: www.deercreektherapy.ca
Instagram: @the_neurodivergent_bunch
Instagram: @thefostermomsocialworker

Listen to this episode and more at
https://wisdom4complexkids.com/complexkidssimplesolutions

🎧 Connect with Michelle:
Website: www.wisdom4complexkids.com
Instagram: @michellechoairy
Join the community: Wisdom 4 Complex Kids Facebook Group

💌 Have a question or want to share your story? Email Michelle at michellechoairy@gmail.com

🧠 Want simple tools that actually work?
Download the free advocacy toolkit: wisdom4complexkids.com/the-ultimate-advocacy-toolkit-pdf