About this podcast
Welcome to the PDA Society’s podcast, where we explore all things PDA to help make life easier for PDAers, their families, and everyone affected by demand avoidance. Research suggests PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) is a profile of autism, meaning individuals share similar strengths and challenges. A key feature of PDA is extreme demand avoidance – finding it hard or impossible to complete everyday tasks, even those they want to do. PDAers often use social strategies to manage demands, form deep connections with safe people, and experience strong emotions. Join us as we dive into PDA together!
If any of the issues in today’s podcast affected you or you’d like to learn more, please visit our website for help and information on: www.pdasociety.org.uk [https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/]
Episodes
The newest 20 of 43 episodes
- Helpful therapies for PDA adults · 28 min · Season 1 Episode 13In this episode, Beth Silcox and Rebecca Homewood (who are both specialists in neurodivergent affirming practice) talk about what genuinely helpful therapy looks like for PDA…
- Accessibility for PDA pupils with The Access Hub · 44 min · Season 2 Episode 12In this episode we're chatting to Kate Whittlesey and Pat McMahon from the Access Hub about what it really means for a PDA or neurodivergent child to access their education. They…
- Parents of PDAers: Mental health & wellbeing · 29 min · Season 2 Episode 11In this episode we're chatting to Emma McDonnell, parent of two autistic children including one with a PDA profile, about the realities of parental mental health and wellbeing…
- SEND law and your child's education · 39 min · Season 2 Episode 10In this episode we're chatting to Laxmi Patel, specialist SEND lawyer and partner at Boyes Turner, about your rights when it comes to SEND law. She takes us from the very start…
- OT assessments and PDA children · 36 min · Season 2 Episode 9In this episode we're chatting to Faith Newton, highly specialist children's occupational therapist and parent of two PDA children, about how to approach OT assessments with PDA…
- Daily life in a PDA family · 32 min · Season 2 Episode 8In this episode we're chatting to Jennifer Chilton, neurodiverse informed coach and parent of a PDAer, about the ups and downs of daily life in a PDA family - and how when we…
- Finding support networks as a PDA parent · 29 min · Season 2 Episode 7In this episode we're chatting with Lindsay and Stacie, from the PDA Devon support group, both of whom are parents of a PDAer. It can be really isolating as a PDA parent…
- Declarative language made easy · 25 min · Season 2 Episode 6In this week's episode we're chatting to parent Steve Keightley about how declarative language can reduce demands for PDAers and the difference this has made for their family. If…
- PDA and the Biology of Sleep · 20 min · Season 2 Episode 5In this episode we're chatting to Nathalie Shek, a paediatric occupational therapist who works with neurodivergent children, young people and families. Sleep hygiene advice such…
- Finding therapeutic support as a PDA parent · 36 min · Season 2 Episode 4In this episode we're chatting with Christine MacInnis (LMFT) about some of the challenges parents of PDAers face when looking for support. Being a parent of a PDAer can be an…
- Animal therapy for children with SEND · 29 min · Season 2 Episode 3In this episode we're chatting to David Boxall from Elysian, who provide alternative farm-based education, about how animal therapy can support children who have been failed by a…
- The Hidden harm of School Behaviour Policies · 32 min · Season 2 Episode 2In this episode we're chatting with Beth from Lily Oaks psychological and Counselling practice about why school behaviour policies often do more harm than good. You can find out…
- Why Diagnosis Matters for PDA Adults · 30 min · Season 2 Episode 2Welcome back for Season 2 of PDA Life - The PDA Society Podcast. We're seeing a rise in adults discovering their autistic identities, and yet it's increasingly difficult to…
- OT solutions for PDA · 41 min · Season 1 Episode 27Welcome to the final episode of season one! We'll be back in May, after a short break, with a whole bunch of new conversations around PDA. When season two rolls around we'll…
- Learning to Drive · 29 min · Season 1 Episode 26In this episode, Sarah from the PDA Society is joined by Tom Crellin and Jim Sahlsberg to explore the experience of learning to drive as a PDAer. Jim shares his lived experience…
- Parental Blame and PDA · 34 min · Season 1 Episode 25In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Alice Running, an author and writer focusing on autistic lived experience and neurodivergent parenting, to explore the…
- Supporting Self-Care, Learning & Leisure: OT Approaches for PDA Children · 35 min · Season 1 Episode 24In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Bryher Hill, an occupational therapist from Helping Kids Shine, to explore how occupational therapy can support PDA…
- 'Connection before correction' The use of NVR for PDA families. · 36 min · Season 1 Episode 23In this episode, Sarah Stewart from the PDA Society is joined by Tracy Weiner, an NVR (Non-Violent Resistance) practitioner and parent of a PDA young person, to explore how NVR…
- Healthcare and PDA: From Avoidance to Access · 34 min · Season 1 Episode 22In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Julia Daunt, a PDA adult and trainer with the PDA Society, to explore the realities of accessing healthcare for PDAers…
- When School Doesn't Fit: The RISE Skool Approach · 38 min · Season 1 Episode 21In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Lyndsey Stokes and Keighly Murphy from Rise Skool, an alternative education provision supporting neurodivergent children…
