SENDinMama
Articles

Welcome!

I write regularly about PDA, trauma-informed parenting, SEND, neurodiversity, and life as an AuDHD parent. My articles blend lived experience, professional insight, and evidence-informed practice.

Below you’ll find a small selection of recent pieces. My articles cover areas such as:

PDA parenting
Pathological Demand Avoidance
SEND resources
Neurodiversity-affirming practice
Trauma-informed parenting
Gestalt Language Processing
Autism in girls / AFAB
Parenting neurodivergent children

To read my full archive — including subscriber-only content — please visit my Substack.

The Low‑Demand Road: A Research‑Backed Guide for PDA Parents

Parenting a child with PDA isn’t just “harder”, it means rethinking everything. Traditional parenting methods often backfire, making anxiety, overwhelm, and shutdowns worse. Luckily, research and lived experience show another way: the low‑demand, low‑arousal approach.

Natalie Froud

Jul 247 min read

Levelling the Playing Field: Understanding Equalising Behaviours in PDA

Don’t call me on the phone. There’s no point. I won’t be allowed to speak to you. My four miniature typhoons will find me. They could be on the other side of the house, sitting quietly, angelically playing Lego or watching a movie… but they’ll sense it, Mum is on the phone giving someone else attention. They will move in from all directions with the stealth of Navy SEALs seeking out rations of snacks and juice, suddenly needing to read a book or ask whether the tooth fairy ex

Natalie Froud

Jul 248 min read

The Ladder and the Lion: A Gentle Guide to Polyvagal Theory for Parents of PDA Children

If you’ve ever wondered why your child seems to go from calm to full-on panic in seconds flat, or why a simple request to sit at the table can lead to a complete meltdown, this might help. We’re going to explore something called Polyvagal Theory, but don’t worry. No textbook jargon, no biology quizzes, and certainly no shaming. Just a warm cup of understanding.

Natalie Froud

Jul 2411 min read

The Quiet Spectrum: Autism in Girls and the Power of Unmasking

I am a 35 year old (tired) mother of three, soon to be four, who has a kitten called Blue. I have spent over 10 years at University doing multiple undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and conducting educational research in schools. I have had the privilege of teaching hundreds of children and working with as many families in multiple settings and in a variety of roles. I am married to my best friend in the world, have a loving family and a handful of close friends...

Natalie Froud

Oct 13, 20249 min read

See the full catalogue on Substack

SENDinMama
Articles

Welcome!

The Low‑Demand Road: A Research‑Backed Guide for PDA Parents

Levelling the Playing Field: Understanding Equalising Behaviours in PDA

The Ladder and the Lion: A Gentle Guide to Polyvagal Theory for Parents of PDA Children

The Quiet Spectrum: Autism in Girls and the Power of Unmasking

Contact Us

sendinmama@gmail.com

SENDinMama Articles

Welcome!

The Low‑Demand Road: A Research‑Backed Guide for PDA Parents

Levelling the Playing Field: Understanding Equalising Behaviours in PDA

The Ladder and the Lion: A Gentle Guide to Polyvagal Theory for Parents of PDA Children

The Quiet Spectrum: Autism in Girls and the Power of Unmasking

Contact Us

sendinmama@gmail.com

SENDinMama
Articles