Pathological Demand Avoidance in Neurodivergent Kids

As bedtime approaches, you gently remind your child to brush their teeth. Their response is startling: They scream at you, fall to the ground in despair, or run off as if you’d made an unbearable demand. This intense reaction may be a sign of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), which has been linked to autism and ADHD.

Children with PDA exhibit a strong desire for autonomy and are extremely sensitive to real or perceived demands. They may say they can’t do chores because their arms don’t work or use delay tactics or make excuses to avoid completing requests. PDA differs from other diagnostic categories and it’s important for parents, teachers, and other professionals to understand the challenges and supports to help children with PDA and their families.

In this webinar, you will learn:

• How PDA stems from nervous system dysregulation, and why children with autism and ADHD are more likely to show signs and behaviors associated with PDA.
• About the characteristics of PDA, including where and how it shows up in different settings.
• About the behavioral strategies and supports for children with PDA, including how to help them build self-regulation skills and manage stress and strong emotions.
• What not to do with children with PDA, including using traditional disciplinary approaches and implementing rigid structures.