In the Trenches

line drawing of an adult sitting beside a child working together

What I Wish Every Professional Knew About PDA (...

Kary Kalinowski

A gentle, honest look at what PDA really is, why traditional methods fail, and what every professional needs to know to support PDA children safely and effectively. This is the...

What I Wish Every Professional Knew About PDA (...

Kary Kalinowski

A gentle, honest look at what PDA really is, why traditional methods fail, and what every professional needs to know to support PDA children safely and effectively. This is the...

Line drawing of a parent and child walking together with . thought bubble between them

When the World Misunderstands Your PDA Child (P...

Kary Kalinowski

When the world misreads your PDA child as “defiant” or “not trying,” advocacy becomes emotional work. This post explores misunderstood behaviors, nervous-system truths, and how to protect your child’s safety...

When the World Misunderstands Your PDA Child (P...

Kary Kalinowski

When the world misreads your PDA child as “defiant” or “not trying,” advocacy becomes emotional work. This post explores misunderstood behaviors, nervous-system truths, and how to protect your child’s safety...

Connection-Based PDA Parenting: What It Really Looks Like (Part 5)

Connection-Based PDA Parenting: What It Really ...

Kary Kalinowski

Real-life examples of connection-based PDA parenting — with scripts, strategies, and gentle approaches that support autonomy and reduce overwhelm.

Connection-Based PDA Parenting: What It Really ...

Kary Kalinowski

Real-life examples of connection-based PDA parenting — with scripts, strategies, and gentle approaches that support autonomy and reduce overwhelm.

Line drawing of a child leading an adult

PDA Parenting Strategies That Reduce Pressure &...

Kary Kalinowski

Connection-based PDA parenting strategies that reduce pressure, increase cooperation, and protect your child’s nervous system — with real scripts and everyday examples.

PDA Parenting Strategies That Reduce Pressure &...

Kary Kalinowski

Connection-based PDA parenting strategies that reduce pressure, increase cooperation, and protect your child’s nervous system — with real scripts and everyday examples.

Line drawing of a brain with a flame, feather and arrow surrounding it. Flame symbolizing fight, feather symbolizing fawn(freeze) and the arrow symbolizing flight.

Understanding PDA: What’s Really Happening in t...

Kary Kalinowski

A gentle, real-world look at the PDA nervous system — why pressure feels like threat, how capacity works, and what helps kids feel safe enough to thrive.

Understanding PDA: What’s Really Happening in t...

Kary Kalinowski

A gentle, real-world look at the PDA nervous system — why pressure feels like threat, how capacity works, and what helps kids feel safe enough to thrive.

Line drawing of a stick figure navigating a tight rope.

When “Trying Harder” Doesn’t Work | PDA Parenti...

Kary Kalinowski

Parenting a PDA child means navigating overwhelm, shutdowns, and a nervous system that reacts to pressure — even tiny demands. In Part 2 of this series, I share what we’ve...

When “Trying Harder” Doesn’t Work | PDA Parenti...

Kary Kalinowski

Parenting a PDA child means navigating overwhelm, shutdowns, and a nervous system that reacts to pressure — even tiny demands. In Part 2 of this series, I share what we’ve...