What is Pathological Demand Avoidance and How Do I Parent This Child?

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Are you familiar with pathological demand avoidance? Do you need helpful strategies to raise a child with the challenging behaviors that characterize PDA? Listen in to this conversation with Dr. Cynthia Martin, a clinical psychologist, the former Senior Director of the Autism Center at the Child Mind Institute, and founder of CM Psychology in Manhattan, NY.


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In this episode, we cover:

  • What is Pathological Demand Avoidance?
  • What makes PDA different from typical defiance or resistance?
  • Is PDA considered an official diagnosis, or is it more of a way to describe a cluster of behaviors that we’re seeing in some kids?
  • What do we know about the underlying causes?
  • How does PDA relate to other conditions like autism or ADHD? What are the overlaps with trauma, prenatal substance exposure??
  • What are the types of behaviors parents or caregivers might see?
  • How can a caregiver tell the difference between a child who can’t comply and one who won’t comply?
  • Where do parents start when considering if their child has a PDA profile?
  • What observations or examples should parents share to help a clinician understand their child’s challenges?
  • What kinds of strategies are effective for parenting a child with PDA traits?
  • How can parents reframe their approach so that daily demands — like getting dressed, brushing teeth, or doing homework — don’t turn into constant battles?
  • What types of therapies or interventions tend to be most helpful? 
  • What do you say to caregivers who are feeling worn down and ineffective? Where do they start?
  • How can a parent or caregiver set their child up for success even if they do have this PDA profile?
  • What words of hope or encouragement would you offer to parents and caregivers just starting to investigate?

Resources:


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Music Credit: Michael Ashworth; Podcast Producer: megownsoundworks.com; Photo by Meruyert Gonullu: https://www.pexels.com/photo/young-girl-in-despair-6034063/