Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome in Children

A Guide for Parents, Teachers and Other Professionals

By: Margaret Duncan, Zara Healy, Ruth Fidler, Phil Christie

Narrated by: John Telfer

Straightforward guide to understanding PDA for anyone needing an overview of the condition.

Pathological demand avoidance syndrome (PDA) is a developmental disorder that is being increasingly recognised as part of the autism spectrum. The main characteristic is a continued resistance to the ordinary demands of life through strategies of social manipulation, which originates from an anxiety-driven need to be in control.

This straightforward guide is written collaboratively by professionals and parents to give a complete overview of PDA. Starting with an exploration into the syndrome, it goes on to answer the immediate questions triggered when a child is first diagnosed, and uses case examples throughout to illustrate the impact of the condition on different areas of the child's life. Early intervention options and workable strategies for managing PDA positively will make day-to-day life easier for the child, their family and peers. New problems faced in the teenage years and how to assist a successful transition from adolescence to adulthood are also tackled. The book concludes with a valuable resources list.

Full of helpful guidance and support, this user-friendly introductory handbook is essential listening for families, carers and anyone who knows a child with PDA.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2011 Phil Christie, Margaret Duncan, Ruth Fidler, Zara Healy (P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd

So helpful

So helpful for my son! I’ve been researching since he was one!! So glad to have some guidance

Invaluable

I’m only in chapter 2 and this book is already invaluable for the solidarity and encouragement. Parenting a kid with PDA is so hard, but it’s even harder when you don’t understand PDA. I’m so grateful to have a resource with so many good ideas about how to make life better for our family.

Very helpful

This gave me more insight to the PDA profiling and it will help me in the future.

Finally, Someone Who Understands My Kid!

So helpful on understanding the mind of someone who has PDA! Really good ideas on how to help manage the external systems and family dynamics.

This is the one!!!

Parents, teachers, THIS is the book you want!!! I’ve read 6 books on PDA. This is what I was looking for!

Life changing!!

Just hearing the words pathological Demand Avoidance syndrome was a lightbulb moment! The thoroughness of the explanation of symptoms rang so true for my family. The interventions and strategies conveyed in this book are so helpful. I hope this is Maura recognized in the US very soon. I feel like I finally have a key to unlock the mysterious behaviors in my children. Thank you!

Not for me

Not enough content info for me…too much talking to get to a point. I felt frustrated while listening and kept fast forwarding, only to end this book after a few chapters. I’ve listened to a few other PDA books that were helpful and easily processed.