Navigating PDA in America

A Framework to Support Anxious, Demand-Avoidant Autistic Children, Teens and Young Adults

By: Ruth Fidler, Diane Gould, Sarah C. Wayland - foreword

Narrated by: Katherine Fenton

Although Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) has been a recognized autistic profile in the UK for some time, awareness is still growing in America. When parents first learn about it they talk about having a lightbulb moment of understanding their child better. Many described how, having found traditional parenting and behavioral techniques made things worse instead of better, they felt judged and alone. Teachers and school administrators also reported struggling to support their PDA students. The children, teens and young adults themselves were often left feeling misunderstood.

The authors of this book explain PDA with an emphasis on promoting well-being both for PDA individuals and all those who support them. They provide a neurodiversity-affirming framework for supporting anxious, demand avoidant individuals across a range of settings and services. As awareness spreads across the pond, the compassion and clarity in this book will become a valuable guide to many.

©2024 Ruth Fidler and Diane Gould (P)2024 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Glad I found this!

Thorough information about PDA. Affirming and hopefully to parents whose child is not finding the support they need and deserve in the US.

Finally more attention to PDA in the US

Loved comprehensive overview of the PDA experience, resources, approaches to consider. There are still many things to learn but at least we are moving in the right direction. Thank you for writing about it.

Life Changing

This book! There aren’t words to explain how this book has changed my life forever in the best possible way! It was a huge lightbulb moment at every turn of the page.

This book will start a revolution

The manner in which PDA is labeled and discussed puts it into an attainable language for educators and the school systems. as a PDA-er myself I know my appetite for understanding and self education presents as intimidating. having the language to bridge that gap will be game changing. Meeting tomorrow, wish us luck!

Informative re PDA

I needed an overview of PDA and this book is accessible and provides just enough information.