Moving From Compliance to Invitation: Demand Avoidance, Faith, and Belonging with Sunita Theiss

Send us Fan MailWhat if “no” wasn’t seen as rebellion, but a nervous system seeking regulation? What if belonging in the church didn’t hinge on meeting expectations, but on being met with grace?In this rich and poetic conversation, I’m joined by Sunita Theiss—an autistic, ADHD, PDA’er and parent coach—who offers profound insight into demand avoidance and its impact on relationships, parenting, and spiritual formation. We explore the invisible weight of expectations in church spaces, how demand avoidance is often misunderstood, and what it might mean to create faith communities centered more around relationships than requirements.This episode is for the ones who’ve been labeled resistant, the parents walking the path with PDA kids, and the leaders who long to shepherd with more compassion than control.To check out Sunita's upcoming workshop entitled Parenting PDA Children with Grace & Hope: A Christian Perspective on Understanding, Supporting, and Raising PDA Children, use promo code NDFAITH and visit: https://sunitatheiss.com/resources/p/parenting-pda-children-with-grace-hope-a-christian-perspective-on-understanding-supporting-and-raising-pda-childrenTo connect with Sunita for 1:1 low demand parent coaching or schedule a free intro call, visit: https://www.amandadiekman.com/coaching (Promo code: SUNITA15)#DemandAvoidance #PDAProfile #NeurodivergentFaith #ParentingPDA #SpiritualFormation #SafeChurch #TraumaInformedChurch #AutisticChristian #ADHDAndFaith #GentleFaithTo connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.