PDA

This version of PDA may not be what you think, as we are not talking about Public Displays of Affection! The PDA we will look at today is Pathological Demand Avoidance. The term “pathological” is not to be taken like what we think of as a person being pathological. In this case “pathological” means that the behaviors associated with this condition are extreme. With PDA, extreme measures are taken to ignore directives or to avoid perceived demands placed, causing emotional discomfort and leading to avoidance of demands placed..

A child with ASD does not learn social cues like other children. While most children would see a teacher as an authority and accept directives accordingly, those with ASD do not connect the same socially and may see teachers on the same level of authority as they are, so they would not take directives to change their behaviors as coming from a place of authority.

A child with PDA will complete tasks when they are motivated, yet resist when a parent/adult asks them to do the same task. These tasks can be tying their shoes when children are younger, or completing homework assignments when they are in middle or high school. Because those with PDA have limited cognitive flexibility, escalations can lead to verbal or more physical aggression.

While this condition is not part of the DSM, it is helpful for an understanding of reasons for oppositional behavior. Currently, PDA is viewed as behaviors and not as a stand-alone or as part of a diagnosis of ASD. Knowing a child or teen has ASD can parents help see “oppositional or defiant” behaviors in a different way.

One resource I highly recommend for those dealing with PDA in their children is The Strong Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson. Another is The Explosive Child, by Dr. Ross Greene, which does a great job of explaining why motivating some children with consequences and rewards is unproductive. Both of these books were written long before Pathological Demand Avoidance was known, but have ways to motivate children that do not respond to the traditional behavior modification techniques of consequences and rewards.