Parent Teacher Interview

In this episode, Joshua is joined by Isabelle from PDA Perspective to explore what PDA (Persistent Drive for Autonomy) is and how it shapes everyday family life. Through her lived experience raising a daughter with a PDA profile of autism, Isabelle shares the diagnosis journey, the realities of low-demand parenting, navigating education, and the importance of trusting parental instincts. This is an honest conversation for parents, educators and anyone wanting to better understand PDA.

What We Discussed
- What PDA is and why many people now use the term Persistent Drive for Autonomy.
- Early signs that led Isabelle to seek an autism assessment.
- The diagnosis journey and the emotions that followed.
- How PDA has influenced family life and sibling relationships.
- Common misconceptions about PDA.
- Why low-demand parenting can be more effective than traditional approaches.
- Finding a school that understands and supports PDA.
- Considering homeschooling and flexible education pathways.
- The impact of PDA on work, routines and daily family life.
- Why Isabelle created PDA Perspective to support other families.

Resources & Links
PDA Society
https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/

PDA Perspective (Instagram)
https://www.instagram.com/pdaperspective/

Parent Teacher Interview Podcast (Instagram)
https://www.instagram.com/parent_teacher_interview_pod/

Music Credits
'Ember' by The Lakes via Uppbeat
'Green Leaf' by The Lakes via Uppbeat

Thanks for listening to the Parent Teacher Interview Podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the show, leaving a rating or review, and sharing it with someone who may find it helpful.

Every child communicates differently. In this episode, we explore how creativity can become another pathway for children to express themselves, process emotions and build connection.

In this episode of the Parent Teacher Interview Podcast, Joshua sits down with registered Creative Arts Therapist Rebecca Iona to unpack what art therapy really is—and perhaps more importantly, what it isn't.

Together they explore how creativity can become a powerful tool for communication, emotional regulation and healing, particularly for children who struggle to express themselves verbally. Rebecca also shares practical insights into neuroaffirming practice, trauma-informed care and how parents and educators can create environments where children feel safe to be themselves.

Whether you're a parent, teacher or someone who works with children, this conversation offers practical ideas and a fresh perspective on supporting young people.

In this episode we discuss:
What art therapy actually is (and what it isn't)
Why creativity can help children communicate when words are difficult
The difference between therapeutic art and art therapy
How art therapy supports emotional regulation
Neuroaffirming practice and supporting neurodivergent children
Trauma-informed approaches in therapeutic settings
Sensory needs and creating safe environments
The importance of qualified Creative Arts Therapists
Practical regulation tools for home, school and therapy
The Māori concept of Takiwātanga ("in their own space and time")
Connect with Rebecca
🌿 Website
https://www.thearttherapist.co.nz/
📸 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thearttherapistnz/

Resources mentioned
ANZACATA (Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association)
https://www.anzacata.org/
Whitecliffe College (Creative Arts Therapy programme)
https://www.whitecliffe.ac.nz/

Connect with Parent Teacher Interview
📸 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/parent_teacher_interview_pod/

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🎵 Music Credits
Intro Music
Ember – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)
Outro Music
Green Leaf – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)

What makes a teacher unforgettable?

In this episode of Parent Teacher Interview, Josh sits down with Deputy Principal Ethan Ford from Melbourne to explore the moments that truly shape a child's experience at school.
Drawing on years of classroom teaching and school leadership, Ethan shares why genuine relationships are at the heart of great education. From greeting students at the classroom door to understanding the story behind challenging behaviour, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the little things teachers do every day often leave the biggest impression.
Together, Josh and Ethan discuss the importance of consistency, creating a sense of belonging, supporting student wellbeing, and why being fully present for the children in front of us is one of the greatest gifts an educator can give.
Whether you're a teacher, school leader, pre-service teacher or parent, this episode offers practical insights and heartfelt reminders about the lasting impact we can have on the lives of young people.

In this episode, we discuss:
Ethan's journey into primary school teaching and school leadership.
Why relationships are the foundation of effective teaching.
The importance of being present and creating positive daily interactions with students.
Understanding behaviour through curiosity rather than judgement.
Supporting children from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Why consistency helps children feel safe and ready to learn.
The role of male teachers in primary education.
Balancing student wellbeing with academic learning.
Lessons from parenthood that have shaped Ethan's leadership and teaching.
Advice for graduate teachers entering the profession.
Why the smallest moments can have the biggest impact on a child's life.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider following Parent Teacher Interview, leaving a rating or review, and sharing the episode with a colleague, friend or fellow parent.

Follow the podcast on Instagram:
📱 @parent_teacher_interview_pod

Music Credits:
Ember – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)
Green Leaf – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)

In this deeply personal episode, Josh and Hannah sit down late at night in their tiny apartment in Japan to talk honestly about the real reason their family moved overseas for a year.

What started as an opportunity to teach abroad slowly became something much bigger — a response to burnout, mental exhaustion, and the growing realisation that something needed to change.

Together they unpack:
what burnout actually looked like behind closed doors,
the emotional weight of making a huge decision for a young family,
parenting children through uncertainty and homesickness,
the realities of starting again in another country,
and why they still believe the experience has been worth it.
This episode is not about teaching being uniquely difficult, nor is it an attempt to romanticise moving overseas as the answer to burnout. It’s simply an honest conversation about mental health, family, vulnerability, and what can happen when people choose to support each other through a hard season of life.

There are moments in this episode that feel heavy, reflective, funny, hopeful and raw — which probably makes it one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on the podcast so far.

If this episode resonates with you, we’d love for you to share it with someone else who might need it.

Music Credits:Ember – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)Green Leaf – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)

Follow PTIP on Instagram: @parent_teacher_interview_pod

In Part 2, we zoom out from personal experience to the broader ecosystem around neurodivergent children. Laetitia shares insights from her work with Understanding Zoe and what over 1,000 families have revealed about the realities of raising and supporting neurodivergent kids.
We take a deeper look at the Understanding Zoe platform itself—a tool designed to help families better understand their child’s unique profile, bridge the gap between home and school, and provide practical, personalised strategies grounded in real data from families. It’s about moving beyond labels and toward meaningful, day-to-day support.
This episode is all about community—what it looks like, why it matters, and how we build it.
We also unpack some of the key ideas and resources Laetitia references throughout the episode—helping to reframe how we think about behaviour, connection, and support for neurodivergent children in a way that feels both practical and achievable for families.
We explore the idea that challenges often don’t come from the child themselves, but from a mismatch between the child and their environment. This aligns with the social model of disability, which suggests that greater understanding, flexibility, and acceptance in society can significantly improve outcomes for neurodivergent individuals.

In this episode, we cover:
Key findings from Understanding Zoe’s research with families
How the Understanding Zoe platform supports families and schools
Why support systems—not just strategies—are critical
The role of schools, parents, and community in shaping outcomes
Influential ideas and resources for supporting neurodivergent children
The “double empathy problem” and mutual understanding
Practical ways to better support neurodivergent children

Resources & Links:
Understanding Zoe White Paper:
https://understandingzoe.com/white-paper
The Rainbow Brain by Sandhya Menon
The Brain Forest by Sandhya Menon
Research reference: Autism Acceptance and Mental Health
Understanding Zoe - https://understandingzoe.com/
Understanding Zoe Instagram (@understanding.zoe)

Music Credits:
Ember – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)
Green Leaf – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)