At Peace Parents Podcast Ep. 126 - Supporting Your PDA Child Dysregulated by Boredom
Sep 9, 2025
A mother shares her challenges supporting her 12-year-old PDA child struggling with boredom and dysregulation. They discuss the importance of novelty and how dysregulation affects behavior. The conversation introduces a helpful 4S framework for emotional regulation. Practical de-escalation tactics are explored alongside the significance of understanding a child's needs for safe environments. They emphasize long-term accommodations and the careful balance between caregiving and fostering independence, ultimately highlighting the patience required in such parenting journeys.
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Times Square Was His Happy Place
- Carrie took her son to New York City and he loved being in Times Square, finding his "happy place."
- That trip revealed his preference for high-stimulation environments like busy public spaces.
PDA As A Nervous System Issue
- PDA often reflects a nervous system disability where kids seek novelty, sensory intensity, and dopamine to distract from feeling unsafe.
- Boredom can feel physically painful for kids with ADHD and intensifies PDA-driven novelty-seeking.
Use The 4S Framework
- Use the 4S framework: safe nervous system, screens, sensory intense experiences, and special interests as regulating states.
- If a PDA child lacks one of these states during free time they will likely become dysregulated.