Persistent Drive for Autonomy
Huge Thanks for Dr. Jennifer McAdams for finding many of these resources. She does amazing work with Internalized Adult PDAers or those in Adult Relationships with PDAers.
Books And Blogs
Books
Detailed Review of PDA Books provided by Steph’s Girls
PDA in the Family: Life after the Lightbulb Moment by Stephanie Curtis
Low Demand Parenting By Amanda Diekman
PDA by PDAers: From Anxiety to Avoidance and Masking to Meltdowns by Sally Cat
Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome in Children by Phil Christie,Margaret Duncan, Zara Healy, & Ruth Fidler
Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome - My Daughter is Not Naughty by Jane Sherwin
The Explosive Child [Sixth Edition]: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children by Ross W Greene PhD
Blogs
Websites
What is PDA
Extreme Demand Avoidance Questionnaire
Casey Ehrlich - 5 Characteristics of PDA in Children
Autism PDA Explained: The Core Characteristics of Pathological Demand Avoidance
What's the Difference Between PDA and Demand Avoidance?
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Characteristics
Video:
Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance PDA - A 3-minute tutorial for Parents
Is this PDA or Not?
The PDA Nervous System
Neuroception and the PDA Brain
Videos:
It’s like there is two different versions of my kid; one that I see and one others see
Confused why they do well in one setting but horrible at home
They are fine at school but explode at home
What is the difference between a “fawn” response and a “freeze” response in PDAers
How to De-Escalate a PDA Meltdown
Autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance and Screen Time: Can it sometimes be good?
What is "Strewing" and How Can it Help a PDA Child or Teen?
Podcast Episodes:
Episode 66: Helping Autistic PDAers feel Safe
Equalizing Behavior
Let's talk about indicators of "Equalizing" behavior
How do internalized PDA'ers assert control or "equalize"?
Videos:
What does “equalizing behavior” look like in real life?
Sibling Challenges with PDA Kiddos
Does your child freak out when they don’t see something you pointed out in the window while driving?
The Parenting Mindset Shift
Adjusting your parenting mindset
PDA North America “The Paradigm Shift”
Why Even Some Gentle Parenting Approaches Don’t Work for PDA Children
Low-Demand Parenting and Why It's Important
How to help children with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
How will they ever cope as adults
Videos:
Why natural consequences do not work
Aren’t you afraid your child will grow up to be abusive?
Mini training: The Three Phases Parents go through to Peace while Parenting a PDA Child
Connecting with Your PDA Kiddo
Declarative Language Handbook handouts
How might you deepen your practice of accommodation with your PDA child or teen?
Pathological Demand Avoidance Behavioural Strategies - by Autism West Midlands
When Declarative Language Doesn’t Work
Podcast:
Videos:
Things To Do To Improve Connection
Internalized PDA
What is Internalized PDA (By Sally Cat)
Videos:
Internalizers (Explaining Sally Cat’s model)
Internalized Vs Externalize PDA
Holidays and Special Occasions
Holidays with Pathological Demand Avoidance by Stephs Two Girls
Holiday travel with Pathological Demand Avoidance by Stephs Two Girls
Helpful approaches for special occasions
Holiday Expectations and how they translate to a PDA mind
Videos:
Mini training: How to Manage the Holidays with a PDA Child
How do I manage my PDA child's sibling's birthday?
Podcasts:
PDA and Lying
Random PDA Topics
Sleep
Videos:
Pets
Toileting
Info For Teachers and Schools
Letter Template from PDA North America Explaining PDA and Support Needs
Books For Teachers
Collaborative Approaches to Learning for Pupils with PDA by Ruth Fidler and Phil Christie
The Educator’s Experience of Pathological Demand Avoidance by Laura Kerbey
PDA Coaches/Therapists and Classes
Amanda Diekman (Author of Low Demand Parenting)
Check out the low demand parenting summit which is held annually
Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D. (at peace parenting)
Dr. Danika Maddocks - Parenting Your Intense Gifted Kid
PDA Not What You Think It Is By Dr. Donna Henderson
Dr Naomi Fisher - webinars on PDA and unschooling
The PDA Space - webinars and annual online summit
Therapists who Identify as PDA
*They have great content on PDA traits in Adults
Adult PDA Relationship Dynamics
**It is hard to find much content on this and the info that is out there is not affirming. I have included because it may be helpful to someone.
Part 1: Autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance, and …Sociopathy?
Part 2: The Antithetical Nature of “Partnership” with a PDA Spouse
Romance, Limerence, Trauma & PDA
Videos:
PDA and Relationships - when it looks like commitment issues
PDA and Relationship - the impact of expectation
How Romantic Relationships are Hard
I used to shame and judge myself a lot for how I fell in love
Online Communities/Forums
Research on PDA
PDA and Work
If you have questions or need support, please reach out to me! This journey can be difficult, but you don’t have to walk it alone.
Adding to this Page…
I am continuously adding to this page as I get new information so bookmark the page and come check back to see new additions. If you have any resources that you have found helpful but are not listed please email me as I would love to add them (henry@therapyforpetpeople.com).
Please forgive any typos or broken links. As an ADHDer it’s a challenge for me to keep up but I am making it a priority as this page is truly a labor of love. Be sure to forward the link to others in your life who may benefit from this information. Bring some food and water as this is a deep deep dive into all things neurodivergent.
