The Benefits Of Understanding A PDA Profile
All research points to early understanding of strengths and needs, together with appropriate understanding and support, being key to positive long term outcomes.
Some PDA adults thrive in employment, particularly where they have sufficient control and a deep interest in the activity. Others may move regularly from one job to another (by choice or necessity) or find working for themselves more fruitful, whilst others may find they can’t function in a work environment. Some need significant support from loved ones and/or the care system; others don’t require support.
Children and young people may struggle with the school environment, and school avoidance is common with PDA. Sometimes schools are able to make sufficient accommodations, specialist placements can be effective or some families find home education works well for their child. In other cases young people are able to ‘mask’ during the school day but may need time and space to release tension at home.
Many parents find that they need to adapt their parenting style considerably to meet their child’s needs.
What is PDA?
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About Autism and PDA
PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) is widely understood to be a profile on the autism spectrum, though we are still at an early stage in our understanding and PDA research is in its infancy.
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What is PDA? - Information Sheet
PDA individuals share autistic characteristics and in addition have many of the "key features' of a PDA profile.
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What is demand avoidance?
‘Demand avoidance’ involves not being able to do certain things at certain times, either for yourself or others, and also refers to the things we do in order to avoid demands.
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Identifying and Assessing PDA
The goal of this document is to aid the assessment of a PDA profile, to distinguish PDA from other presentations of marked demand avoidance, and to signpost