TILT Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
Feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of raising a neurodivergent child? Tilt Parenting is here to help. Hosted by parenting activist and author Debbie Reber, this podcast is your go-to resource for navigating life with ADHD, autism, PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), giftedness, and twice-exceptional (2e) kids. With expert interviews and candid conversations, you'll discover practical solutions for things like school challenges and refusal, therapy options, and fostering inclusion, social struggles, advocacy, intense behavior, and more — all through a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens. Whether you're struggling with advocating for your child at school or seeking ways to better support their unique needs, Debbie offers the guidance and encouragement you need to reduce overwhelm and create a thriving, joyful family environment. It's like sitting down with a trusted friend who gets it. You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back!
TILT Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
A Conversation with Dr. Naomi Fisher on Neurodivergence, PDA, and Self-Directed Learning
In this conversation, I talk with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Naomi Fisher about self-directed education, and why it can be such a powerful approach for neurodivergent kids, especially those with a PDA profile. Naomi shares why agency is so important in learning, how traditional school can chip away at a child’s self-worth, and what it looks like when we truly support demand-avoidant kids in ways that work for them. We also get into the challenges parents face when stepping outside the norm and why keeping the parent-child relationship at the center is key.
Things you'll learn from this episode
- Why agency in learning is essential for neurodivergent children to build confidence, reduce anxiety, and stay engaged
- How self-directed education supports children—especially those with PDA—by minimizing pressure and honoring their natural pace
- Why respecting a child’s right to say no is foundational for creating a safe, trust-based learning environment
- How understanding the cycle of demand avoidance helps reframe “bad behavior” as a response to overwhelm, not defiance
- Why shifting away from rigid definitions of academic success can open the door to more authentic growth and capability
- How prioritizing the parent-child relationship and finding community support helps families confidently navigate less conventional paths
Resources mentioned
- Dr. Naomi Fisher’s website
- Naomi Fisher on Substack
- A Different Way to Learn by Naomi Fisher
- Eliza Fricker Talks About Parenting a Child with PDA (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
- Eliza Fricker’s website
- The Family Experience of PDA by Eliza Fricker
- Eliza Fricker / Missing the Mark on Facebook
- Changing Our Minds: How Children Can Take Control of Their Own Learning by Naomi Fisher
- What Can We Do When School’s Not Working: An Illustrated Handbook for Professionals by Naomi Fisher
- Dr. Ross Greene’s Collaborative and Proactive Solutions Model