“I reduce demands before an activity so that my anxiety reduces.”

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob chats with Julia Daunt, a passionate advocate for the neurodivergent community. Julia shares her lived experience with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and ADHD, offering insights into how she overcame the challenges she faced from childhood and adulthood.

She discusses the lack of early support, the impact of PDA on daily life, and the strategies she has developed to help her succeed. Through her work as an author, blogger, and speaker, Julia raises awareness about PDA and empowers others with practical tools for self-acceptance and support.

Key Takeaways:

• Finding a supportive neurodivergent community can be validating and life-changing.

• ADHD medication helped Julia process her PDA traits and navigate daily challenges.

• Letting go of societal expectations allows for more ease in completing daily tasks.

“I reduce demands before an activity so that my anxiety reduces. When I'm doing whatever it is what I'm doing, my anxiety obviously will increase, but because it was low to start with, it doesn't go above what I can handle, so I don't get to the point of meltdown. And then after, I'll have a period of recovery, so that it goes down again.”

About Julia Daunt:

Julia Daunt is an advocate, author, and public speaker dedicated to raising awareness about PDA and ADHD. As a neurodivergent individual, she shares her experiences to promote understanding, acceptance, and better support systems for others. Through her writing, consulting, and public talks, Julia works to empower individuals and families navigating PDA and neurodivergence.

Learn more about Achievable Journey

Follow Your Voice Matters and Connect with Asma on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Your Voice Matters wherever you listen to podcasts!

Share this episode with someone who could benefit from hearing Asma’s story.