In this episode of Autistic FM, I’m joined by Makay Davis, an inspiring educator specializing in special education and functional life skills. Makay shares her profound insights into the world of neurodiversity, stemming from her personal journey of discovering ADHD and autism within herself. Her mission is to create educational spaces that embrace autonomy and empower neurodivergent individuals to navigate life confidently.

Throughout our engaging conversation, Makay discusses how her life experiences, including growing up alongside a neurodivergent cousin, have shaped her teaching approach. She emphasizes the importance of balancing structure and choice to foster environments where neurodiverse individuals can thrive without feeling constrained by rigid expectations. Makay’s approach focuses on cultivating functional life skills that resonate with students, allowing them to express themselves authentically.

Listeners can look forward to an in-depth exploration of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), the significance of autonomy in education, and how neurodiversity should be celebrated rather than stigmatized. Makay sheds light on strategies that enable neurodivergent individuals to harness their strengths and lead fulfilling lives.

Topics covered in Episode 27

• Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): Understanding PDA and how rethinking autonomy impacts neurodivergent individuals in educational settings.

• Functional Life Skills Education: Makay's approach to teaching life skills that emphasize choice, autonomy, and empowerment for neurodiverse learners.

• Embracing Neurodiversity: The journey of recognizing and validating one’s unique neurodivergent identity and fostering inclusivity within communities.

About Makay Davis

Makay Davis is an educator with over a decade of experience in special education. Based in Sausalito, she runs a personalized teaching practice dedicated to helping neurodivergent individuals develop functional life skills and autonomy.

Her empathetic and innovative approach is informed by her own experiences with ADHD and autism, as well as a life spent growing up in different countries and supporting neurodivergent family members. This unique combination of lived experience and professional expertise—including a background in Special Education, Speech-Language Pathology, and specialized training in Pathological Demand Avoidance—has led to The Makay Method, an immersive model that prioritizes real-world learning experiences and celebrates every child’s unique strengths.

You can find Makay on Instagram at @Makay_Method.

Content warnings

Please note that this episode includes discussions of childhood trauma, experiences of bullying, and mental health challenges including ADHD and autism spectrum. Please take care of yourself and listen with care.