Autism, Relationships & PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy

The challenges people have maintaining relationships can be related to relational trauma, PDA, the desire for consistency and/or adherence to high or unrealistic expectations. PDA is a profile of autism, and people with PDA may have no problem making friends, but they may have difficulty keeping them. Can someone who is autistic become more flexible and lower their expectations if they want to? What elements are needed in relationships to accommodate for neurodivergence?

CO-HOST

Jen Perry, MSEd, MA, LPC 

HIGHLIGHTS

·         The challenges faced in maintaining consistency and connection in friendship.

·         Autism and neurodiversity, and the importance of being aware of different types of neurodiversity.

·         The importance of consistency and pattern in the lives of neurodivergent people, and how it can relate to your emotional state.

·         The evolving nature of human experience and how things get put in and taken out of official stances.

·         TikToks that poke fun at the DSM and how it's revised.

·         The experience with ADHD and HSP, and how it relates to your emotional state. The importance of being aware of the current thought on certain topics, such as autism.

·         The challenges of being well-educated enough about certain topics, such as autism.

·         The importance of being intimate with different types of neurodiversity.

·         The importance of being fascinated by how we collectively as a culture and field talk about things.

·         The challenge of sharing your process without disenfranchising anyone or alienating anyone especially when talking about sensitive topics.

·         The challenges of studying and understanding neurodivergent experiences.

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