![Dr. Caroline Buzanko](/img/default-banner.jpg)
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Dr. Caroline Buzanko
Canada
Приєднався 2 сер 2014
Helping parents, educators, and mental health professionals build kids' courage and resilience.
About Dr. Caroline
Dr. Caroline is a psychologist, mother, public speaker, and the Yoda of anxiety. With over 25 years of experience, she has dedicated her career to supporting children, teens, and their families in enhancing their lives by strengthening confidence and resilience. Her expertise is sought after by professionals and educators looking for effective approaches to optimally support children and teens. As an Assistant Professor at Athabasca University, Dr. Caroline expertly integrates evidence-based practice with practical, actionable strategies to make scientific evidence accessible and applicable to everyday situations. Through this blend of theory and practice, Dr. Caroline empowers her audience to apply these insights effectively in clinical and educational settings as well as everyday interactions, significantly enhancing the outcomes for children and teens.
About Dr. Caroline
Dr. Caroline is a psychologist, mother, public speaker, and the Yoda of anxiety. With over 25 years of experience, she has dedicated her career to supporting children, teens, and their families in enhancing their lives by strengthening confidence and resilience. Her expertise is sought after by professionals and educators looking for effective approaches to optimally support children and teens. As an Assistant Professor at Athabasca University, Dr. Caroline expertly integrates evidence-based practice with practical, actionable strategies to make scientific evidence accessible and applicable to everyday situations. Through this blend of theory and practice, Dr. Caroline empowers her audience to apply these insights effectively in clinical and educational settings as well as everyday interactions, significantly enhancing the outcomes for children and teens.
How can self-care boost kids’ resilience and how can you encourage it?
In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, I look at the critical topic of self-care for children. I explore why self-care is essential for kids and provide practical strategies to help them develop healthy habits. While self-care is often emphasized for adults, it’s equally important for children to prioritize their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Tune in to learn:
The importance of self-care in reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
How self-care practices contribute to physical health, resilience, and self-esteem.
Practical tips for establishing a self-care routine for your child.
Activities that make children feel relaxed, happy, and rejuvenated.
The role of mindfulness and healthy habits in a child's self-care routine.
How to model self-care behaviours and teach kids to set boundaries.
Equip your kids with the tools to manage stress, face challenges, strengthen their resilience and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Don’t miss this episode packed with actionable advice and insights!
Tune in to learn:
The importance of self-care in reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
How self-care practices contribute to physical health, resilience, and self-esteem.
Practical tips for establishing a self-care routine for your child.
Activities that make children feel relaxed, happy, and rejuvenated.
The role of mindfulness and healthy habits in a child's self-care routine.
How to model self-care behaviours and teach kids to set boundaries.
Equip your kids with the tools to manage stress, face challenges, strengthen their resilience and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Don’t miss this episode packed with actionable advice and insights!
Переглядів: 28
Відео
How can kids turn anxiety into problem-solving power?
Переглядів 30Місяць тому
In today’s episode of Overpowering Emotions, I chat about how kids can manage anxiety and empower themselves by responding to their anxiety-driven thoughts in helpful ways. I outline exactly what you need to do to guide kids through the problem-solving process. Discover how to help kids break down overwhelming emotions, foster resilience, and turn anxiety into actionable steps. We’ll cover: - U...
What are the unseen impacts of soothing anxious kids?
Переглядів 26Місяць тому
In this critical episode of Overpowering Emotions, as part of our ongoing series on traps that inadvertently exacerbate children's anxiety, I address a common question I am asked: how is it that our instinctive efforts to alleviate a child's anxiety might actually be making it worse? I will continue other critical traps to consider, but I always get a flurry of questions whenever I talk about t...
How can tailored wellness strategies enhance resilience in children and teens?
Переглядів 6Місяць тому
In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, we jump into the fascinating world of emotional and physical wellness with guest expert Brenda Wollenberg. Brenda shares her journey from social work to nutrition, emphasizing her innovative approach to enhancing resilience in children, teens, and adults through personalized wellness strategies. It is so important to move beyond a one-size-fits-all ment...
How can kids channel their inner Avengers to master emotional regulation?
Переглядів 19Місяць тому
Today on Overpowering Emotions, we explore the intriguing concept of 'subselves'-the different parts of our personality that shape our thoughts and emotions. Discover how these subselves can either work together or clash, leading to internal conflicts. Learn practical strategies to help kids recognize and manage their subselves, fostering better emotional regulation. Join Dr. Caroline for an in...
How do internal cues help kids master their emotions?
Переглядів 15Місяць тому
Today on #OverpoweringEmotions, learn about the internal cues of emotion that drive behaviours and how to guide kids to recognize these to manage emotions and build resilience.
Explaining Anxiety to Kids
Переглядів 37Місяць тому
In this short video, Dr. Caroline breaks down the internal experience of anxiety in a way that's easy for kids to understand. We'll explore what anxiety feels like inside our bodies, using simple and relatable examples. By helping children recognize these feelings, we empower them to manage their anxiety more effectively. Why is this important? Knowing how to identify what is happening in their...
Why is understanding emotions key to emotion regulation?
Переглядів 55Місяць тому
Today on Overpowering Emotions, I discuss how emotions like fear, anger, sadness, and joy drive our behavior and influence our responses to the world around us. Teaching this to kids is critical to promote emotion regulation and resilience. With this understanding, they can strengthen their mindfulness and acceptance skills to effectively manage any emotion that comes up. Learn practical strate...
How can mindfulness, acceptance, and fear extinction create an anxiety-proof brain?
Переглядів 252 місяці тому
In this special recast episode of #OverpoweringEmotions, we explore how to optimize the brain's resistance to anxiety by integrating fear extinction, mindfulness, and acceptance into one cohesive approach. Discover how combining these powerful techniques can lead to faster and more lasting progress in kids’ emotional regulation.
Why is acceptance so important to help kids master emotion regulation?
Переглядів 202 місяці тому
Uncover the power of acceptance in guiding children through their emotions effectively. Discover how nurturing resilience and emotional understanding can help manage emotions. Get valuable tips to assist kids in handling intense emotions gracefully. Tune in to learn about acceptance's vital role in fostering emotional resilience and healthy emotion control in children. Learn why mindfulness is ...
How do we help kids build self-awareness to master emotion regulation?
Переглядів 282 місяці тому
Today on Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline walks through the next step in helping kids develop the core skill they need for emotion regulation and resilience. Her discussion emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in kids, guiding them to understand their physiological responses, thoughts, and behaviours when emotions arise. Discover practical techniques to build the foundations of self-a...
What is the most important core skill kids need to master emotion regulation?
Переглядів 412 місяці тому
Today on Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline talks about the foundational core skill of managing anxiety and other big emotions to build resilience. Because it is such a critical skill with several components, she starts today by sharing the framework addressing the three key responses that contribute to anxiety and maladaptive reactions. Discover how our bodies, thoughts, and actions interplay...
What are the key stages of resilience and how can we navigate them?
Переглядів 433 місяці тому
In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline Buzanko welcomes Stephanie Elliston to chat about resilience. They explore its stages and how to build resilience muscles. Stephanie shares personal anecdotes and professional insights to illustrate the power of resilience during life's most challenging changes. Learn practical strategies to foster resilience in yourself and the children yo...
How do family dynamics influence resilience?
Переглядів 1233 місяці тому
Today on Overpowering Emotions, guest expert Dr. Celeste talks about the interplay between family dynamics and resilience, particularly during stressful situations. In a world where resilience is paramount for navigating life's challenges, understanding how family dynamics shape our ability to bounce back becomes imperative. Tune in to learn practical strategies for cultivating resilience in an...
How can a dialectical approach nurture family resilience?
Переглядів 363 місяці тому
Delve into the heart of mindful parenting with our enlightening podcast episode featuring Dr. Lauren Pasqua, a clinical psychologist specializing in children and families experiencing intense emotions and behaviors. We unpack the pivotal role of family dynamics in nurturing resilience, with a deep dive into how dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can offer practical strategies for parents. Disco...
How can mindful parenting transform emotional well-being and resilience?
Переглядів 424 місяці тому
How can mindful parenting transform emotional well-being and resilience?
How can letting children face consequences foster resilience?
Переглядів 794 місяці тому
How can letting children face consequences foster resilience?
Could our methods of teaching kids to regulate their emotions be doing more harm than good?
Переглядів 1424 місяці тому
Could our methods of teaching kids to regulate their emotions be doing more harm than good?
How can we teach kids to choose the right coping strategy to build resilience?
Переглядів 1574 місяці тому
How can we teach kids to choose the right coping strategy to build resilience?
Are you forgetting to care for yourself while caring for others?
Переглядів 204 місяці тому
Are you forgetting to care for yourself while caring for others?
How can problem-focused coping enhance (orcripple) resilience?
Переглядів 495 місяців тому
How can problem-focused coping enhance (orcripple) resilience?
What is emotion-focused coping and how can it enhance or cripple resilience and emotional wellness?
Переглядів 1175 місяців тому
What is emotion-focused coping and how can it enhance or cripple resilience and emotional wellness?
What are the foundations of building effective coping strategies in kids?
Переглядів 1085 місяців тому
What are the foundations of building effective coping strategies in kids?
What are effective ways to promote our children’s emotional well-being?
Переглядів 485 місяців тому
What are effective ways to promote our children’s emotional well-being?
127. How can we nurture Emotional Intelligence in children and teens?
Переглядів 1786 місяців тому
127. How can we nurture Emotional Intelligence in children and teens?
What are the key competencies for emotional intelligence?
Переглядів 2986 місяців тому
What are the key competencies for emotional intelligence?
How does Emotional Intelligence shape children's resilience?
Переглядів 1756 місяців тому
How does Emotional Intelligence shape children's resilience?
How can childhood adversity buid resilience?
Переглядів 516 місяців тому
How can childhood adversity buid resilience?
What are the key traits of resilient children?
Переглядів 1297 місяців тому
What are the key traits of resilient children?
What are the foundational building blocks of resilience?
Переглядів 487 місяців тому
What are the foundational building blocks of resilience?
What do you mean by “not accommodating their anxiety”? That doesn’t make sense to me in light of you saying their main problem is anxiety and “their battery of tolerance”. Also arent choices/rewards a type of manipulation?
I believe she means it during the process of building tolerance. Something like that: 1st you do an anxiety "detox". So do only accommodations, no pressure at all, so the person can regulate and get out of the constant stress zone and feel calmer and more comfortable around you and close people. Once the person has achieved this "relaxed zone", you can build a collaborative plan, probably better with the therapist and parents involved somehow, to let the PDA person experience dosed challenges (so in this stage not accomodate all the anxiety, but let the person experience it in a moderate/low level). With this, the goal is that the person can develop better coping skills and be more functional. It just needs to me done in a "natural" way, not forced, in a more "go with the flow" style. If the PDA person can feel like they are being able to navigate through small steps it can be very rewarding and make a very positive impact on their behaviour.
About the choices/rewards it can definitely come across manipulative but I think it will depend in which mind state the person is and how you present them. If you are able to internalize a non-expectative/non-demanding type of comunication and behaviour you will probably be succesfull with this aproach. It's more about feeling comfortable around eachother
Maipulation is not a bad thing, you can use it for bad things but manipulating means just coveret influence. The good or bad part is something that is in their human using it. Parent manipulate children all the time. Kid whining, parent helping to stop cry?-> Manipulation in most cases same for partners, family etc
Excellent episode!
It is wrong to view this behavior as wrong. It is natural for humans not to comply with slavery.
Would you say all this is true for special needs and especially PDA kiddos? Is her anxiety all my fault? She shouldn’t have a 504? The teacher shouldn’t be giving her more options to lessen demands which are working to get her to complete classwork and lowering school refusal?
"Pathological" demand avoidance. A pathology is a disease. I think people who waste the most valuable resource, time, on things they hate are the sick ones. .. I have to yell at myself to do work to survive. Thing is, I never stop thinking about my interests, they are in my head while I slave away...
Mhh interesting..now have to take my benzos
How would a parent assist with maladaptive coping skills in young teen with PDA when positive suggestions are met with animosity and further break down? From what I see and deal with, there is a step inbetween that we really need to focus on how to accomplish this. The desire for autonomy can reject input.
'promosm'
Thx
My son desperately needs an evaluation but even looking at the Pda America website I can't seem to find anyone in my area. I am a hundred percent positive he is Pda with an extensive difficult school history and in home behaviors that were simply baffling until I found at peace parents.
I'm in the same boat 💯
Thank you Caroline! Such precious and valuable content shared in youtube for free! You explained it very well, hope your channel grows more ❤
As adult PDAers my best friend and I, in our sixties, well we were initially going to be lovers perhaps but immediatelly we both shirked from the intolerable demands inherent. Neither of us will submit to the control the other one needs to exert over every aspect of our relationship. So we live in our separate territories with an exclusion zone in the middle. We actually see each other two times a year because fixing a meeting between us comes across to both as an intolerable hyper emotion, either him or myself end up cancelling most of the attempts. Creativity is needed to maintain in time our mutual love and affection, built on absolute respect for each other's radical autonomy. A very difficult path to walk to try and stick together when we both are fiercely independent, but because we are mature adults and we value having a friend at this stage in our life, we are allowing ourselves to build and maintain a terribly impossible relationship based on 'an emotional connection at a distance'. All of it is yielding important knowledge and at the same time it is exhausting. But the connection remains strong since six years ago when we met, and I don't think at this point we can live without each other. I feel it is ok to have an eccentric relationship and everybody considers us a couple except ourselves ha ha ha Thanks a lot Dr Buzanko, it is nice to see oneself understood. Bless, Yana.
Good Evening. I am 66 years old and realise that Asperger’s did not fit but PDA does. I had covid bad and had to spend a week in hospital. Since then have been falling which it has been a lifelong problem. I now feel like I am only safe in bed and feel like I am in freeze response. It is usually fight or flight. I know you are dealing with children or teens. I just wondered what you thought. My husband is depressed, my daughter shouts at me and my son has hardly any contact with me. I can’t explain PDA to them. Can you help me what to do.? Regards. Many Thanks. Gillian
Is exposure therapy ever used with this?
You nailed it in every area! Thank you
Great informative video. So comprehensive. This is so difficult to navigate.
Looking for information that correlates PDA and adoption and early childhood trauma (the complex ptsd developmental trauma.) seems pervasive that adoptees are diagnosed with “RAD” but basically it makes more sense to look at the demand avoidance as stemming from anxiety. Especially because anxiety for adoptees is sooooo high.
01:48 it's a sub category? Of autism? Or is it a subcategory of autism?
Thank you for acknowledging thid. This was completely unaddressed in my childhood and I kept mine a secret. It sucked because my own parents were emotionally immature and would tease and bully me. I was always terrified of other females hearing me pee in public. I'm older now and I've had enough. Paruresis recovery is working. CBT therapy and graduated exposure helps too. ❤
The biggest issue with all of this... you keep saying "children" and "child". Children grow up to become adults if they live long enough. While it can be annoying for parents and induces more anxiety due to the negative responses received... it can be horrendous as an adult when you don't work out a way in life that you can exist with PDA and have some sense of peace and achievement. That isn't ever going to be "fixed" due to any intervention in childhood.
Yes! I totally agree with you! I am an autistic female adult with PDA and I wish that people would address not just children, but adults as well!
True, but learning how to reduce demands for our children reduces nervous system activation and helps them avoid burnout and PTSD. That will then help them get to adulthood.
@@lord-lala No, it won't. The demands are very different as a child and an adult. Also, a child is having a hard time understanding what is going on and making sense of things. The child finds some way to comply just to get by and that doesn't address actual demands or the anxiety or compulsion. Speaking as an actually autistic and PDA person.
this was great thank you! Do you have specific recommendations for autistic adults with PDA? My husband is very high functioning autistic, has a good job and makes it to work but the PDA can come up sometimes and be challenging.
Sistemic family view...
Thank You for this!!!
As someone who has a minor in psychology and counseling and a bachelors in special education I believe I have children on the spectrum. I have had referrals from the pediatrician but have had a difficult time being seen by a professional due to the high volume of patients. We haven’t had any official testing but definitely have conditions impacting home and school life. I feel like I have no resources for help but cannot deny that I’m seeing all kinds of signs and symptoms. As far as PDA, we have been researching it for years and believed it to be a version of ASD. Unfortunately, we have no one in our area that I can find that can help us. We experience everything in your video and yes it is validating. I am too exhausted to be experiencing a normal family dynamic while also researching and finding solutions from my college knowledge base. I am pioneering it along with you.
So many comments haha. Not an easy phase... depending cultural expectations...
I played with an at child and it was way more productive to teach him orientation in(pseudo) low-fear situations... he felt way more orientated in the world.
Good information. thank u
There is SO much filler and unnecessary verbiage in here like “you know” that it’s almost unlistenable for anyone with ASD. Plus “kiddos” UGH.
Personally I loved it! I disregarded the form and went to the core of what was said. But PDA is one of my restricted interests so my motivation to listen is high.
I'm autistic and a researcher working at a Cal Poly. Autistic practitioners also call it "Personal Demand for Autonomy". I think this all comes through a pathological lens and that's a mistake. We autistic researchers are beginning to prove that most of our stress is caused by the rigidity of non-autistic folx. For example, their insistance on being able to lie, manipulate, and cheat.
I'm a PDA adult, please research me. Hlp pls lol
Do you have advice for when a child refuses to watch video modeling?
Have heard PDA called Perceived Demand Avoidance. Have had this especially when it came to school work or sometimes with family planned events and maintaining finances. Anything in my life can become a Perceived Demand and then comes the Avoidance portion. Even reading a book I bought that I had a huge excitement and there it sits because it turns into a Demand. Why??? It's awful to have to live this way. Then comes the horrible anxiety that hangs over me and the failure that's felt.
As an AUADHD with PDA Id prefer to be Pathological rather than Pervasive
This sounds utterly impossible. Do everything, anything, or nothing…they will take it as a demand.
I agree it seems super difficult. I think that as a late diagnosed autistic person who is trying to navigate this with my son the thing that is helping me is to remember how much harder it is for them as a child and not having any context or experience and even less control of their environment. Having that empathy I feels helps me.
It definitely feels utterly impossible. At times it can be very hard for me to want to go on with life.
Personal Demand Autonomy. Wanting to control your own existence and behavior.
This is amazing ❤
My 6 year old has autism and PDA is the only thing that 100% describes his behaviors. We are on our 10th major referral at school and 3rd out of school suspension. He is in 1st grade in a full time gifted class with only 6 kids in the classroom. Myself along with the entire team at his school are at a lost as to how to cope and help him with his behaviors in a school setting. Where are you located? PDA ABSOLUTELY needs to be more educated to everyone.
@@yanamarte4542 PDA is not a "character flaw".
Mental health professionals can be and often are guilty of biases. Im not trying to be negative or trolling- I think it's important to not assume every therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, Healthcare provider in general is empathetic and good at their job. A lot of power and control focused people enter these fields. Seeking help can be traumatic because of these types of people being a vulnerable person/family "help" when they finally reach out for help.
Also want to say thank you for the information. Demand avoidance is so difficult to navigate and accommodate. I experience it and I am still sometimes feeling offended and thinking just do the thing! With my son who is exhibiting pda reactions daily now that he's entered school and demands in his life are suddenly numerous. I hate how chronically difficult this is going to make his life (I know attitudes and understanding improvement will make his experience better than mine has been. But still very scared for the things he'll face or miss out on) hate how others will often miss out on knowing him and how kind and curious and funny he is because he can lash out or argue relentlessly to avoid anything but not in a predictable way.
I definitely agree, it's an unfortunate truth. And the same with other adults who work with children as well, such as educators... These students need lots of warm, caring, non-judgmental people in all aspects of their lives.
Why “unfortunate”? It is really confusing how you use qualifiers. As an autistic person and proud PDA-er, I don’t see this as a problem. On the one hand, you call this a “uber-power” and on the other hand, you want to “treat” it. I am really worried when you speak about webinars and how you propagate such borderline gaslighting. If you want to help others, join autistic groups and organizations led by autists and start to truly understand from the inside out. After a while, you’ll realize that a more complex and humane approach is needed. Or better yet, you’ll realize that “changing” us is an erroneous idea.
Can we not call them "kiddos"-- so annoying.
@@dr.carolinebuzanko Maybe it doesn't bother other people. Using it three or four times in one video is just grating. I noticed it at first with my cousin who worked with autistic children. Just sounds like kind of cloying "special ed" talk, like it's too risky to talk about them like they're "regular" kids or children. I don't think I'd like it if adults talked about me that way. I don't like "doggo" either, or if a vet kept saying "kitties" instead of cats.
Take a shot every time someone says or types kiddos!
Is it ok if I refer to Blacks as Blackies?
@@huyuli Can you run fast, or are you really good at fighting? Say what you want, if you just want to expose yourself as a jerk, as you have done here.
@@argusfleibeit1165I think they actually might have been being sarcastic as a way to back up your point.
My daughter's is so severe that you can make her fight for the opposite of what she wants by demanding she do what she wanted to do. It's been like this since she was born. She was literally like this as a baby. I used to say, "She's an infant and already wants to be treated like an adult." She didnt want to be held, she wanted me to *hold her like she was walking* untill she could actually walk. Then, she never wanted "up" What is the difference between ODD and PDA?
You’re dealing with neurodivergence; research it;
A very helpful resource. Thank you.
Thank you! Glad it was helpful.
This is a fantastic overview. Thanks so much.
This is an okay-ish overview in the first part, until she starts talking about changing “kiddos” to not “miss out” on neurotypical stuff. Autistic individuals simply do not feel the need to do neurotypical things, for the most part. They are not missing out on this stuff. This researcher needs to RESARCH more before they continue to propagate neurotypical perspectives on gullible and exhausted parents.
What kind of therapy would best help PDA kids? Would CBT be a good fit?
With PDA, anxiety really drives the avoidance of demands, such as anxiety about meeting expectations or losing control. This anxiety is pervasive so we want to ensure that any therapeutic approach targets that anxiety. We initially want to modify how we communicate demands and expectations. Along with parental training and family therapy (which is an essential part of the treatment plan!), we would want to look at incorporating: • Adapted Communication. At least initially, we absolutely need to modify how demands are communicated to reduce the perception of demands and build success/momentum. • Low-arousal Approaches. Over aroused kids = emotional outbursts. Because we want to encourage adaptive behaviour, we want to keep the emotional arousal low. • I LOVE Ross Green, so using Collaborative Approaches. Methods like the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model emphasize identifying unmet expectations and solving problems collaboratively. Now, for CBT, yes, it can be helpful to address the underlying anxiety. The components of things like distress tolerance and mindfulness are important. HOWEVER, traditional CBT might be too structured. Therefore, we need to ensure we are modifying it to meet the child’s needs adequately. So, using things from above like reducing perceived demands and framing activities as choices (which a good therapist should be doing anyway). We need to be flexible for the child’s needs.
Great video 😀
Thanks!
i have a problem like this: when im at the doctor. im hi on anxiaty. when she takes be blood pressure. my blood presure is high too
I’m a fan. Hello from New Zealand!
With caution though
This is Great advice Dr. Caroline . Your advice is Great. you are very smart and intelligent. But sometimes seeking someone's attention can lead to negative consequences. When I was 7 years old I was always trying to get my Fathers attention. But my Father kept ignoring me. One day I decided to stand up to my Father and confront him. I said to my Father. What the HELL are you Doing ! My Father did give me his attention and a SPANKING. smiles
What you are saying, for me, is utterly valuable in understanding how fear and anxiety are produced and maintained. Thank you! However, your facial expressions, reinforced by wide-eyed movements towards the camera, in themselves are anxiety producing. If you are not aware of these, please become aware. My response is to turn off the visuals so that I am able to focus on your excellent content.
Yeah, the physical presentation is overly dramatic.
This is incredible. Keep the solid work and thank you!!