BrainPower Neurodevelopmental Center

02/02/2026

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02/02/2026

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is a pattern of behavior in which kids go to extremes to ignore or avoid anything they perceive as a demand. It is seen most often in people diagnosed with autism.

Because of that, parents sometimes call it “PDA autism.” Identifying PDA can be a helpful way to understand some kinds of difficult behavior, but it is not a subtype of autism or a separatediagnosis.

People with PDA tend to have an adverse reaction to being told how to behave or what to do, even when it’s something that’s an ordinary part of their daily life — and even when it would benefit them. It’s called pathological when the avoidance is extreme and interferes with functioning at home or at school.

In kids who fit the PDA profile, resistance is sometimes mistaken for willful defiance, says Cynthia Martin, PsyD, a clinical psychologist who specializes in autism. But it’s better understood as a result of anxiety and inflexibility. As she explains, “Any external demand that is coming from somebody else, or that the person perceives is coming from another person — that generates a lot of internal discomfort, which leads to the avoidance.” (Child Mind Institute ❤️)

Image source unknown

02/01/2026

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with many often-overlooked traits beyond social challenges, including sensory sensitivities (lights, textures), unique motor mannerisms like toe-walking or hand-flapping, and specific medical comorbidities like epilepsy or digestive issues. Other lesser-known signs include hyperlexia (advanced reading ability), intense passions, and high-level social scripting.

Here are things you might not have known were associated with autism:

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02/01/2026

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01/31/2026

"What do most people think about Autism? I often hear professionals state a child “does not have Autism” because they make good eye contact. They hug people. They can talk or they are smart. They play with other kids. They pretend to make a sandwich. They don’t cover their ears. They enjoy being around other people and want to make friends. They don’t act like “Rain Man”. They have empathy or don’t have meltdowns, etc.

What most people don’t realize, is that all of those statements are stereotypes and not all are true for each Autistic person. Kind of like how “all blondes are dumb”, or “all men are strong”. We know it’s bad to stereotype others, and yet many people still do this for Autism. I do not think this is done with malicious intent, but I do think people need to be more aware and knowledgeable, and most particularly people in the medical and education fields. If a child does not fit into this stereotype, a pediatrician or therapist will often tell a concerned parent a child does not even need an evaluation. When in fact, that is not always the case.

If I could say one thing to other professionals, it would be this: Do not tell a parent that their child does not have an Autism diagnosis unless you are trained and do a full Autism assessment. If a parent or anyone else brings up the word Autism- refer them for an evaluation to be completed by someone who does formal Autism assessments on a regular basis- even if you do not think it's needed."

For more information, visit an excellent site: Mrs Speechie P ❤️

01/31/2026

Comment FREE ESTEEM for this free poster!

Self-esteem isn’t built in a day…
but small things like using kind self-talk,
trying again after mistakes,
setting boundaries, and helping others
add up.

I use this poster during morning meetings,
small groups, counseling sessions,
and it works just as well at home with families.

It’s an easy visual to point to
when a child needs a confidence boost
or a reminder of what they’re working on.

Comment FREE ESTEEM and I’ll DM it to you.

01/30/2026

Coaching With Brooke ❤️

01/29/2026

Thank you, Kids Listen❤️

01/28/2026

It is easy for parents to identify their child’s physical needs: nutritious food, warm clothes when it’s cold, bedtime at a reasonable hour. However, a child’s mental and emotional needs may not be as obvious. Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially and learn new skills. Additionally, good friends and encouraging words from adults are all important for helping children develop self confidence, high self-esteem, and a healthy emotional outlook on life. ( Health America ❤️)

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01/27/2026

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. These include emotional highs, also known as mania or hypomania, and lows, also known as depression. Hypomania is less extreme than mania.

When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. When your mood shifts to mania or hypomania, you may feel very excited and happy (euphoric), full of energy or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior and the ability to think clearly.

Episodes of mood swings from depression to mania may occur rarely or multiple times a year. Each bout usually lasts several days. Between episodes, some people have long periods of emotional stability. Others may frequently have mood swings from depression to mania or both depression and mania at the same time.

Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you can manage your mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, healthcare professionals use medicines and talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, to treat bipolar disorder. (Mayo Clinic ❤️)

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01/26/2026

"Every single person who has been given an ADHD diagnosis DOES and WILL present differently. There are no two people who share the exact same traits."

Thanks to ❤️

01/26/2026