How can we recognise Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in autistic children?

We discuss when challenging behaviour can be deemed as Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), and how to recognise it in a child with an autism diagnosis.  Although PDA is not currently formally recognised as part of an autism diagnosis, there is growing evidence showing it can be included in an autism profile. Ann suggests strategies to try at home to help manage the behaviour, getting to the core of the behaviour and how to have conversations with teachers, schools and other institutions to support children.

Dr. Ann Ozsivadjian is an Independent Practitioner and Honorary Researcher at King's College London. She is a leading expert in the assessment and treatment of mental health difficulties in ASD, in understanding cognitive pathways to anxiety in ASD, and also working with girls and women on the autism spectrum.