Frequently Asked Questions
This is a quick link guide to the most frequently asked questions our enquiry line service receives about PDA …
Is a PDA profile of autism a good fit for me or my child?
Only an experienced clinician would be able to say whether a PDA profile of autism is a good fit for you or your child, after undertaking a very detailed assessment. There’s a wealth of information on our website which will help give you a good understanding of PDA, these are good starting points:
PDA case studies & lived experiences
What is PDA? information sheet
How is PDA assessed/diagnosed?
Please see detailed information on the diagnostic pathway for children and diagnostic pathway for adults.
Identifying & Assessing PDA (Practice Guidance)
PDA Society statement on diagnostic terminology
(How can PDA be diagnosed if it’s not in the diagnostic manuals?)
Whilst PDA is not mentioned in the diagnostic manuals that many clinicians refer to, a PDA profile can be identified as part of an autism assessment and terminology such as “Autistic with a PDA profile” used. This use of ‘specifiers’ to personalise and contextualise a diagnosis and helpful support approaches is encouraged by the European Society for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and The Lancet Commission on Autism. Further details can be found in the Identifying & Assessing a PDA Profile Practice Guidance.
How do I access support?
Support groups – local and Facebook
Self-help, coping strategies & therapies for adults
Helpful approaches for parents/carers
Support & signposting (parents & carers); Pathway to support (adults); Teen life (teens)
Resource library (support & signposting category)
Share the editable tools in our resource library and other materials from the PDA Society such as:
- What is PDA? booklet
- Introduction to PDA webinar
- What is PDA? information sheet
- Email template for informing others about PDA
- Information sheet for teaching professionals
- Information sheet for social care professionals
- Helpful approaches for parents/carers
- Helpful approaches for special occasions
- PDA P A N D A infographic
- Keys to Care
to help others understand how to support you/your child.
How do I get support at school/work?
Education support (parents & carers) and Pathway to support (adults) – signposts to many helpful organisations
What approaches are helpful with PDA?
Self-help, coping strategies & therapies for adults
Resource library (good practice & insight category)
Sources of further understanding
Is there training available on PDA?
Yes, we offer a suite of training options, which we deliver both directly and on behalf of other organisations. Please see our training pages for further information.
What information is there for professionals?
Please see our Working with PDA pages and our Resource library
How can I stay up to date with news?
Subscribe to receive news and update emails from us
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Please also see our news section