Extreme Demand Avoidance in Children: Refinement of a Caregiver-Report Measure

This study presents the EDA-8, a shorter and more refined version of the Extreme Demand Avoidance Questionnaire (EDA-Q). The EDA-8 is designed for researchers and professionals assessing neurodevelopmental conditions. Unlike the original EDA-Q, it does not include a cut-off score, making it more adaptable. While not intended for diagnosis, it may help identify children who need further assessment for Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) traits. The EDA-8 aims to improve understanding of demand-avoidant behaviours in autistic children and support better research and assessment approaches.