Articles

Fine at School, Falling Apart at Home: What Ivy's Story Taught Me About Emotion Coaching and PDA

Sarah Middleton

Published on: 15/06/2026

Many neurodivergent children hold it together at school and fall apart at home. In this post I share what made the difference for one child, and the simple approach that helped everyone around her.

AutismPathological Demand AvoidanceNeurodiversity Affirming PracticeTeachingNervous System Support

How to Explain PDA to a Child — A Low-Demand Approach

Sarah Middleton

Published on: 30/04/2026

How to explain PDA to a child using a low-demand, story-based approach.

Pathological Demand AvoidanceHealth ProfessionalsNeurodiversity Affirming PracticeParentingEducationTeaching

Do rewards work for any students?

Sarah Middleton

Published on: 18/04/2026

Do rewards work for students? Explore why reward systems don’t always improve behaviour, and how understanding what’s underneath can lead to more effective, supportive responses in the classroom.

LearningEducationTeaching

Do Rewards Work for Children With a PDA Profile?

Sarah Middleton

Published on: 30/03/2026

Do rewards work for children with a PDA profile? This visual cycle shows what can happen internally when rewards are used.

Pathological Demand AvoidanceEducationTeaching