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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]

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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.

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The PDA Parent Support Group will provide a mixture of education, support and connection for parents of children with PDA. Sessions will run for an hour with a combination of education, Q&A and story sharing.

 

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