AuDHD, PDA and RSD: A Parent’s Complete Guide to Understanding and Supporting Your Child

What Will You Learn?

• Explain how AuDHD creates contradictory traits and why strategies designed for autism alone or ADHD alone often make things harder for your child
• Tell the difference between PDA and defiance, and explain to teachers and professionals why consequence-based approaches escalate rather than help
• Spot the signs of RSD before and during a flare, and understand how the shame spiral cycle starts and sustains itself
• Use low-demand parenting language in real conversations - including indirect phrasing, autonomy offers, and attaching requests to objects instead of authority
• Respond to an RSD flare in the moment with specific scripts for what to say, what to avoid, and how to help your child return to safety
• Advocate for your child in Australian school settings using accurate language about their profile and practical requests for adjusted support
• Recognise masking and neurodivergent burnout in your child and take concrete steps to reduce their demand load
• Identify your own parent burnout and build a realistic support network that includes NDIS-funded options where available