WHAT IS PDA?

Pathological Demand Avoidance, or PDA, is a profile of the autism that is characterised by an extreme need to avoid everyday demands and expectations. This isn’t simply defiance or disobedience — it’s a hardwired response to anxiety that can feel overwhelming and even terrifying to the person experiencing it.
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Children (and adults) with PDA often have a strong need for autonomy and equity, and can be incredibly creative in finding ways to avoid demands — even those that seem simple or enjoyable.

What makes PDA Different?

While PDA sits under the umbrella of autism, it presents in ways that are often very different from more typical autistic profiles. Some features may include:

• Anxiety-driven avoidance of demands (both direct and indirect)
• Use of social strategies to avoid (e.g. distraction, humour, making excuses)
• Sudden, intense emotional responses when overwhelmed
• ‍Comfortable in role play or fantasy – often imaginative and expressive
• ‍Need for control that may appear rigid, unpredictable, or ‘oppositional’

Every child with PDA is unique, and not all will show the same traits or to the same degree.

Why is it important to understand PDA?

Recognising a PDA profile can make a world of difference. Traditional parenting or teaching approaches often don’t work, and can actually escalate anxiety and behaviours.
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Understanding PDA means you can:

• Adjust your approach with low-demand, collaborative relationship-based strategies
• Help reduce anxiety and build trust
• Support your child in ways that feel safe and respectful
• Empower your family to work with your child, not against them