In this episode, I’m diving into how I teach the first foundational pillar of Attuned Parenting — parent well-being and co-regulation. As a neurodivergent parent myself, I understand how overwhelming it can be to support a child when you’re already running on empty. But here’s the thing: you are the foundation. When we focus on our own regulation first, we can better co-regulate with our children.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why more tools often don’t create real change for autistic and PDA children
• The importance of parent well-being and how it leads to co-regulation
• Why nervous-system safety comes first — and why behaviour-first approaches are doing more harm than good
• Unmasking and shifting away from societal expectations (if you’re a neurodivergent parent or feel you could be neurodivergent- this episode is for you!)
• How co-regulation transforms parenting and helps you show up for your child with more clarity and intention

Episode Summary:

Parenting an autistic or PDA child is hard — especially when you’re already feeling depleted. In this episode, I talk about the foundational pillars of attuned parenting that can make all the difference: parent well-being and co-regulation.

You’ll learn:

• Why traditional strategies often backfire and don’t work for neurodivergent children
• Why parent regulation comes first before any co-regulation with your child can happen
• How unmasking and understanding our own triggers helps us show up for our children with more clarity and patience
• The 4-step framework for co-regulation: Pause → Observe → Connect → Support (I’ll share a preview of this in the episode!)

Takeaway:
Ask yourself: “Am I regulated enough to support my child right now?”
This small, powerful question is the first step to shifting your approach to parenting and co-regulation.

What Next?

Want to dive deeper into these foundational tools and receive 30 days of community support?
The Attuned Parenting Foundations course is live, free for now, and packed with practical tools to help you and your child.

Join the course here: ChantalHewitt.com/course
No credit card required — just sign up and start today :)

Text me and tell me- What do you want to hear for future episodes?

Support the show

If you’re parenting an Autistic or PDA child and want support that actually works, you’ll find more tools and free resources at chantalhewitt.com.

✨ Join The Attuned Parenting Community for Parents Raising Autistic / PDA Children

LEARN MORE →

✨ Download my free guides
Early Signs Guide → CLICK HERE
Calm Parent Checklist → CLICK HERE
PDA Parenting Guide → CLICK HERE

✨ Connect with me on Instagram, TikTok & YouTube @chantal.hewitt

Reach out if you need anything- Say hello, share your story :) → [email protected]

Chantal x