How can I support my child with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)?

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a behavioural characteristic that can be seen in children, young people, or adults. It is widely considered to be a profile on the autism spectrum. People with a PDA profile avoid everyday demands and expectations. This demand avoidance can come with high levels of anxiety.

The behaviours that come with PDA can have a very real impact on a child or young person’s life.

Children and young people with PDA may:

• Resist and avoid the ordinary demands of life.
• Have excessive mood swings and impulsivity.
• Be comfortable with role play and sometimes pretend to an extent that feels extreme.
• Show obsessive behaviour, especially about other people.

• It’s important to remember that your child isn’t trying to challenge or frustrate you. When their behaviour seems challenging, they may be having a hard time trying to control their environment.
• People with PDA can need a lot of support. The sooner you can recognise the behaviours, the sooner you can look for support. Make sure you speak to your GP or the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) at your child’s school.
• Spend some time thinking about the demands on your child. These might seem small and insignificant but can be just as tough. Some demands are indirect. For example, saying “it’s already 8:30am” can be an indirect demand for your child to hurry up. Some demands are completely silent, like raising your hand for someone to give you a high five.
• Your child may be able to cope with demands more on some days than others. Try to learn what impacts this. It could be which people they spend time with, or the environment around them.
• Prioritise the demands on your child, depending on how much they can cope with that day. Try to prioritise the demands that keep everyone safe. For example: not hitting other children is non-negotiable. But you might be able to compromise on what they wear for the day.
• Learn your child’s triggers. Try to plan out their day so they can avoid triggers, if possible. Make sure you include activities that you know they will find relaxing in their schedule.
• Pose demands as a problem that needs solving instead of something they have to do. Saying, “can you take some shopping into the house?” is a demand. Instead, you could ask: “how am I going to get this shopping from the car into the house?”
• Reward systems can work well for many children. But children with PDA may not respond well to them. Rewards highlight how compliant a child has been and this might be a negative thing for a child with PDA.
• The National Autistic Society has information about demand avoidance and PDA. It includes more advice and research on the topic.