Recently I’m reading a lot of off-the-cuff claims that “studies” show a higher correlation of PDA “traits” tied to ADHD than to autism. This is my own off-the-cuff response to these claims: I have zero issue with eventually affirming PDA as it’s own diagnosis that has a high co-occurrence with ADHD and/or autism, but if […]
Is PDA a byproduct of ADHD? Read More »
Edited to remove more specific commentary on the situation in order to protect victim’s rights. This image I made is labelled for PDA families but is honestly true of ALL children. Children need caregivers to help guide and provide supports where needed. Adults on the other hand are responsible for utilizing the resources they have
A Response to the Harry Thompson/NEST controversy Read More »
Note: This isn’t intended for diagnostic purposes, and keep in mind that there is usually an overlap in conditions. Expanding the discussion to compare and contrast different diagnoses that look similar to PDA. By request I’ve included B&W versions at the end. From a clinical perspective it becomes difficult to accurately diagnose PDA because of
Different Styles of Demand Avoidance, part 2 Read More »
A graphic I made last year that attempted to tease apart different styles of demand avoidance was popular enough that I decided to repost it last week. I then decided it could use some expanding, and came up with the following: In black and white: It has since been shared almost a thousand times making
Different Styles of Demand Avoidance Read More »
I’ve mentioned before that one of my kids has a different PDA profile than me, which means they have a different way of expressing their anxiety so I struggle troubleshooting with them as much as anyone would (and maybe more because his way of regulating triggers my own sensitivities). I’ve also mentioned how PDA anxiety
Why Knowing the Correct Diagnosis Matters Read More »
One assumption about behavior is that if the reaction to something is sophisticated, like lying, faking illness, overly exaggerated reactions, that the NEED must be fabricated too. PDA individuals, even young kids, are known for using sophisticated social strategies to manage their anxiety. There can be a certain false note to these behaviors that make
PDA and Sophisticated Survival Read More »
PDA is known as Pathological Demand Avoidance, a term coined by Elizabeth Newson in the 80’s when she first discovered a constellation of unique avoidant traits in a subset of autistic children, but in recent years an alternative was posited to try to more accurately describe the feelings for some behind their in-born aversions: Pervasive
Pathological Demand Avoidance or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy? Read More »
PDA is a term that was given to a distinct profile on the Autism Spectrum by Professor Elizabeth Newson in 1980. While it’s still being explored whether PDA is exclusively autistic, for my purposes I’ll restrict myself to referring to it as an autism profile…