Rabbi Shoshana's Blog

Nov 236 min read

6 steps to make doctor appointments more accessible to PDA kids & teens

by Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman How can we drop demands & offer autonomy, control, and social equality in a medical setting? How can we...

Nov 184 min read

4 Lessons from PDA Autism that help me stay grounded in these divided times

by Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman #1: Grandiosity is a thing and I can let it go. Before I knew I was Autistic, I felt personally...

Oct 217 min read

A glimpse into unschooling with me & my 6yo PDA kiddo

Last year in early September as the New England air cooled and yellow leaves started fluttering down, I felt deeply sad. My PDA son had...

Oct 812 min read

Oh, Gather Up the Brokenness: Loving Our Shattered Parts

My sermons draw from Jewish sacred texts, as well as science and mindfulness. They always have a universally applicable message. This...

Oct 85 min read

Is therapy helpful for PDA kids & teens?

Is therapy helpful for PDA kids and teens? This post answers the question through an approach called The PDA Safe Circle.

Aug 204 min read

6 Things I Wish I Knew When My PDA Autistic Son Started Preschool - Early Childhood & PDA Autism

6 Things I Wish I Knew When My PDA Autistic son Started Preschool

Jul 2511 min read

What medications help PDAers & what if taking meds is outside the person's safe circle?

‼️ I am not a doctor & this is not medical advice. ALWAYS talk to YOUR doctor before stopping or starting any medication. I am speaking...

Jul 206 min read

How Western culture contributes to the PDA threat response

The PDA threat response may not be so disabling in other cultures.

Jul 144 min read

What are common strengths of Autistic PDAers?

What are common strengths of Autistic PDAers, and how does cultural context help us answer this question?

Jun 305 min read

How 'high status' roles can help with PDA Autistic social anxiety

Learn how high status social roles can help PDA Autistics participate in social activities.

Jun 194 min read

Separation Anxiety: 6 steps parents can take to support PDA children

6 steps parents can take to support PDA children with separation anxiety

Jun 16 min read

How do I talk about mental health with my child or teen? P.S. this framing is helpful for adults, too...

How do I talk about mental health with my child or teen?

May 189 min read

How unlimited screen time works in our home & how I recommend parents approach screens with PDA kids & teens

How unlimited screentime works in our home and how I recommend PDA parents approach screen usage for their kids.

May 86 min read

9 Core Accommodations for Autistic PDA children & teens

By Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman Conventional parenting strategies do not work for PDAers. Without knowing about PDA, families like mine...

May 35 min read

20 simple ways PDA kids & teens can safely feel in charge of their adult

20 simple ways PDA kids & teens can safely feel in charge of their adult. Healthy equalizing helps PDA kids & teens feel safe.