Orchid Pediatrics

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Portland, OR
Orchid Pediatrics

You are not alone. You matter. Your kid matters.

11/14/2025

Your child might struggle with sensory sensitives, rigid routines, and limited food preferences, but with gentle and consistent strategies, progress is possible.

Here are some small, safe steps to help your child become more flexible with food:
• Start with a familiar food: Introduce new foods alongside something your child already enjoys to reduce anxiety.
• Use visual supports: Picture charts or food diaries can help your child understand and anticipate mealtime routines.
• Model positive eating behaviors: Eat together as a family to demonstrate healthy eating habits.
• Respect your child's pace: Allow them to explore new foods at their own comfort level, without pressure.
• Create a calm mealtime environment: Minimize distractions & maintain a predictable routine to help your child feel secure.

Remember, progress may be gradual, and that's okay. Celebrate small victories and be patient with the process.

If you're concerned about your child's eating habits, we're here to help. Contact Orchid Pediatrics to learn more about our feeding support services, or visit our site 🔗 https://orchidpediatrics.com/feeding-problems/

11/12/2025

For many neurodivergent children, mealtimes can be a real challenge. Sensory sensitivities, strong food preferences, and difficulties with texture or taste can make eating stressful, for both kids and parents.

Our team at Orchid Pediatrics understands that it’s never “just picky eating.” These challenges often come from how the brain processes sensory input, oral motor skills, or digestion.

Here are a few reasons why eating might be tough:
• Heightened sensitivity to smells, textures, or temperatures
• Strong preference for sameness or routine
• Difficulty with chewing or swallowing
• Digestive discomfort or food intolerances

We’re here to support your child’s unique needs with gentle, integrative, and holistic approaches that respect their body and brain.

💚 Need guidance? Reach out, we’re here to help!

11/10/2025

At Orchid Pediatrics, we look beyond symptoms to support your child’s whole system: body and brain. Today we are breaking down key supplements that can nurture calm, focused, and healthy growth:
✨ NAC: Low dose = body calm. High dose = brain calm.
✨ Luteolin: “Nature’s Motrin” for neuroinflammation and mast cell balance.
✨ Iron: Fuels speech, sleep, and focus.
✨ Vitamin D: The “happy cofactor” that supports mood and immunity.
✨ Zinc: Supports immune defense and helps picky eaters.

💡 Small nutrient shifts can create big changes in how your child feels and functions. Swipe to learn how these supplements work and when to check in about adding them to your child’s plan.

Explore further at our online supplement store 🏪 https://orchidpediatrics.com/supplement-store/

11/07/2025

When it comes to PDA, one-size-fits-all therapy doesn’t work.

Kids with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) often struggle in traditional therapy settings that prioritize compliance, structure, or rewards. Their needs are different and so is what helps.

Supportive approaches may include:
• Child-led play therapy to reduce anxiety and build connection
• Occupational therapy with a sensory-informed focus
• Relationship-based models like DIR/Floortime
• Collaborative, autonomy-affirming approaches instead of behavior charts
• Parent coaching that supports flexibility and co-regulation

Therapy for PDA isn't about fixing behavior. It’s about building trust, safety, and emotional resilience. The goal isn’t control, it’s connection💜

11/06/2025

Demand Avoidance: it's not defiance, it's survival.

11/05/2025

Parenting a child with PDA? Traditional strategies might not work - and that’s okay.

Children with PDA often experience extreme anxiety when faced with everyday demands. What looks like defiance is actually fear-driven avoidance. Instead of firm boundaries and consequences, PDA responds better to low-demand, collaborative approaches.

✅ Use indirect language ("I wonder if..." instead of "Do this")
✅ Offer choices to give a sense of control
✅ Prioritize connection over compliance
✅ Reduce demands during high-stress moments
✅ Focus on trust and emotional safety

Our team is here to support families in understanding and adapting to the real needs behind behaviors. You’re not alone and there are tools that can help.

11/03/2025

Is it “just autism” or something more?

While many children with autism struggle with social communication or sensory sensitivities, some show a very different profile: extreme resistance to everyday demands, even those they want to do. This may be Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a lesser-known, high-anxiety-driven profile on the autism spectrum.

Orchid Pediatrics and Dr. Joy herself specialize in holistic pediatrics, helping parents and caregivers understand the full scope of their child’s unique needs. PDA isn’t about being “difficult.” It’s about a different brain wiring that needs a different approach.

Understanding the why behind the behavior is the first step to finding what works. Read more on our blog: https://orchidpediatrics.com/understanding-pathological-demand-avoidance/

10/24/2025

Struggle to focus on "boring" tasks but can get lost for HOURS in something you love? That's not a character flaw, that's the ADHD brain! 🧠✨

For me (AuDHDer here 💜), ADHD isn’t about not being able to focus, it’s about how our brains regulate attention. Sometimes that means hyperfocus takes over, which can be challenging and wonderful.

Knowing your wiring can make life feel a little lighter. You’re not broken, you’re brilliant, just as you are. 🤗

If you feel like it, share your own ADHD “superpower” below. Or just read along and know you’re not alone. 💫

Disclaimer: Information shared by Dr. Joy Eberhardt De Master ("The PDA Doc") is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for medical or clinical care. While Dr. Joy provides neurodivergent-affirming guidance, tips shared online cannot address your child’s unique needs. Please consult a licensed provider for personalized recommendations.

10/22/2025

Are you looking for more resources to guide you through your parenting journey? 🛣️

Behavior SOS Summit speakers are parents, educators, therapists, and advocates who truly understand the realities of raising and teaching complex kids…including me, Dr. Joy!

Register now for the “Summit All Access Pass” so you can grow your mind—and your parenting—with:
✅ Ongoing Access to All Sessions
✅ Workshops in a Podcast
✅ Take Action Workbook
✅ Implementation Coaching Lab
✅ Expert Cheat Sheets
✅ Speaker Bonuses
✅ Weekly Integration Prompts (tiny steps without overwhelm)

10/09/2025

It’s PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day. Let’s talk about what that means. 👇

It means that sudden, extreme changes in behavior are NOT "just a phase."

It means a child's brain can literally be on fire from an infection. 🔥🧠

It means parents become fierce advocates overnight.

To every family navigating this journey: Your fight is seen. Your intuition is valid. You are not alone.

Share this with someone who needs to understand.

Disclaimer: Information shared by Dr. Joy Eberhardt De Master ("The PDA Doc") is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for medical or clinical care. While Dr. Joy provides neurodivergent-affirming guidance, tips shared online cannot address your child’s unique needs. Please consult a licensed provider for personalized recommendations.

10/07/2025

Tomorrow is World Dyslexia Day, so I wanted to share something from the heart. ❤️

Does your brilliant, creative kid struggle with reading and writing? Does it feel like their skills on paper don't match the bright mind you know so well? You are not alone.

This one is personal for me, as a mom to a dyslexic child and a sister to a dyslexic sibling, I've seen this journey up close. Dyslexia isn't a deficit. It's a different way of processing the world, one that often comes with incredible strengths like creativity, problem-solving, and big-picture thinking. ✨

Your child isn't "behind". Their brain is just wired beautifully differently. Sending you the biggest hug today and always. 🤗

Comment with a ❤️ if this resonates.

Disclaimer: Information shared by Dr. Joy Eberhardt De Master ("The PDA Doc") is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for medical or clinical care. While Dr. Joy provides neurodivergent-affirming guidance, tips shared online cannot address your child’s unique needs. Please consult a licensed provider for personalized recommendations.

Address

4850 SW Scholls Ferry Road
Portland, OR
97225

Telephone

+15032084007

Website

https://www.orchidpediatrics.com/

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