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Pathological Demand Avoidance Parent Group

Next PDA Parent Support Group starting October 24th

RSVP for October Group here

Interested but cant attend next scheduled group? Please register your interest for later groups here

 

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a concept utilised to depict a specific profile of Autism. Individuals with PDA may exhibit a fight, flight, or freeze reaction when confronted with demands that challenge their independence, leading to heightened emotional responses. It has distinct characteristics, primarily characterised by an intense inclination to avoid demands, even when the individual desires to fulfil them. The primary function of demand avoidance in PDA is often the person’s attempt to safeguard their sense of autonomy and control.[1]

Parenting a child with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is hard because everyday requests trigger extreme anxiety, turning simple tasks like getting dressed or going to school into exhausting battles for control, leading to constant conflict, immense parental stress, feelings of isolation, and burnout, as traditional discipline often backfires and requires a complete overhaul of parenting strategies.

The PDA Parent Support Group will provide a mixture of education, support and connection for parents of children with PDA. Online sessions are a combination of education, Q&A and story sharing. A private online community for each group for sharing between sessions is provided on Discord.

 

[1] Reframing Autism (2025). Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Autism: A Guide For Allies.

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