Exploring Pathological Demand Avoidance in neurodivergent individuals, discussing factors contributing to demand avoidance, stress responses, and practical tips for minimizing its impact. Gender differences in PDA diagnosis and the importance of understanding individual demands and emotional regulation.
Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) was first conceptualized in 1983 by Elizabeth Newson and is characterized by extreme resistance to life's demands, driven by a need for control over one's environment. PDA is recognized as a behavior profile within autism, although not officially in diagnostic manuals. It's gaining recognition, particularly in the UK, for describing specific behaviors and experiences.
2. Critical Examination of the PDA Label
Challenges in the PDA label involve the term 'pathological,' which may pathologize behaviors and focus on individual problems rather than systemic factors. Some advocate to reconceptualize PDA as 'rational demand avoidance' to view it as a rational response to autistic experiences. The discussion questions the use of 'pathological' and societal expectations tied to compliance and control.
3. Factors Contributing to Demand Avoidance
Contributing factors to demand avoidance include a focus on gender expectations, differences in social hierarchy perceptions between neurotypicals and autistics, and the impact of trauma and executive functioning challenges. The episode highlights the need to consider individual sensory profiles and capacity to meet demands effectively.
4. Managing Demand Avoidance: Strategies and Coping Mechanisms
Strategies for managing demand avoidance encompass identifying the underlying causes, exploring the need for control versus freedom, and practicing emotional regulation. Emphasis is placed on building emotional literacy, regulating emotions, and aligning demands with individual priorities to reduce stress and increase coping capacity.
5. Reexamining Compliance and Social Expectations
The episode encourages individuals to delineate important personal demands from social constructs and expectations. Prioritizing energy for significant requirements alleviates pressure to conform to societal norms. Learning emotion regulation skills and identifying emotional triggers are highlighted as key steps in managing demand avoidance effectively.
On this week’s episode we discuss Pathological Demand Avoidance, or PDA. We explore what PDA is, including the history of this construct, and the positives and negatives of the PDA concept. We cover what factors can contribute to demand avoidance amongst neurodivergent people, including personal, neurobiological, cultural, and social factors, and chat though how our stress response plays into demand avoidance, and what you can do to lessen the impact of demand avoidance on your life (or how you can support your child with this).
For more information on Pathological Demand Avoidance check out:
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