Caroline Foran

But then I was told a lot of things would, you know, he'd grow out of or it would get easier.

And a lot of things we were growing more into.

And I was just worn out trying to figure things out and knowing something more was going on, that this just wasn't...

what we were getting at face value and it wasn't what we were being told.

But then when we got the diagnosis, it all made sense.

And there was a huge amount of relief and validation and compassion towards him and to ourselves.

And did he have any sensory issues?

Yeah.

I wouldn't be able to like hoover around him.

But for when we didn't know what was going on, I was like, you need to be able to tolerate.

Everyone said you have to increase his tolerance.

And it's almost like you're trying to push a child into like a form of exposure therapy so they can learn to cope with things that they just shouldn't have to.

It's just it's a nervous system reaction.

It's not a preference they have.

It feels unsafe for him to hear that that noise is such a threat to his system.

when you explain it like that you feel so sorry for him don't you I know it's not just like they're never for the most part they're never giving you a hard time they're having a hard time but it can really look like they're giving you a hard time and it can really look like you're just a doormat but I know now and now I'm unapologetic about it is I know that what my son needs is a very calm unless his safety is in question you know if he wants to have a yoghurt before his dinner I don't care yeah do you know I don't

Yeah, I'm not really sure.

There's an amazing woman I follow called Circa Rice and she herself is a PDA or she's ADHD autistic and PDA.

And she is educating me every day with all of her posts.

And I see her as a really wonderful, thriving adult who's navigating life.