When Does "Typical" Behavior Become Something More?

Is your kid extremely resistant to the simplest of requests? Or completely impossible to wake up in the morning? Or sure their peers don't like them, despite pretty clear evidence to the contrary?

All of these are extremely typical kid behaviors. All of these also have more intense manifestations—PDA, DSWPD, and RSD, respectively— which meet clinical definitions and which may require more concrete support, for both you and your kid.

In this episode, Amy and Margaret discuss the amorphous lines that often exist between typical child behavior and an issue that may need more attention and scaffolding.

From afterschool restraint collapse to ARFID, Amy and Margaret explore the moments when everyday challenges start to interfere with family life, friendships, or school—and what parents can do to respond from a place of understanding and clarity.

You’ll learn:

• How certain behaviors can sometimes point to larger patterns.

• The value of having names for behaviors—reducing shame, guiding next steps, and helping parents advocate for their kids.

• Practical strategies parents can use at home to reduce stress, manage transitions, and support kids in ways that actually work.

If you’ve ever wondered, is this typical, or is it more?—this episode is for you.

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parenting podcast, kids behavior issues, child tantrums, picky eating help, rejection sensitivity dysphoria, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, ARFID in kids, pathological demand avoidance, delayed sleep wake phase disorder, typical vs atypical child behavior, parenting strategies for behavior

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