PDA Parenting
About this episode
This episode discusses Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in autism, exploring its characteristics and effective parenting strategies.
In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're returning to the subject of PDA, or Pathological Demand Avoidance. PDA is a profile of autism where the standout feature is demand avoidance - and the behaviours that come with it are often misunderstood, dismissed as naughtiness or stubbornness. We're drawing on guidance from the PDA Society alongside our own lived experience to help you understand what's really going on, and what actually helps. Key Takeaways PDA is an autism profile where everyday demands can trigger intense anxiety and a need for control. Responses commonly look like fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Many children with PDA have a spiky profile - real strengths in some areas and significant challenges in others. Appearing articulate or socially capable can mask what's really going on inside. Some common approaches make things worse - strict routines, reward charts, behaviour systems, and countdowns can all increase anxiety and erode trust. It varies so much between children. Think of boundaries with an elastic band around them: knowing what really matters and letting the rest go. Language matters. Swapping direct demands for gentle suggestions, indirect…
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- Encore: Challenging Behaviours, A Late Autism Diagnosis and Motherness with Julie Green
- Travelling with Autistic Children
- Autistic Burnout in Children
- Toothbrushing Tips for Autistic Children
- Why Friendships Change When You’re Raising an Autistic Child
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