What is Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)? Who Are These PDA’RS?

This is a relatively new term for a profile of traits under the Autism umbrella. Autistic children often need extra support when processing requests or demands especially for things that may be
unfamiliar. Those with a PDA profile experience severe anxiety over similar situations but also include everyday ‘demands’ such as hygiene, eating, dressing, and attending school. Parents and
educators often hear “I can’t” and interpret it as “I won’t”. Let’s see what is really happening for these children, why they respond as they do and how we can support them.