Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is best understood as a profile on the autism spectrum – for more information please see About autism & PDA.

It is important for legal professionals to have PDA on their radar, because individuals with this profile of autism and their families are particularly vulnerable to being misunderstood.

The latest edition of the Judicial College Equal Treatment Bench Book includes information about PDA, the difficulties PDA individuals may have with the legal process and reasonable adjustments that may be helpful.

Information to follow – in the meantime please see:

• Our introductory webinar Introduction to PDA – Focusing on the criminal justice system
• Information for healthcare, social care and education professionals
• National Autistic Society Criminal Justice information
• National Autistic Society – guide for police officers & staff – please note that the approaches may need considerable adaptation for a PDA profile of autism

For further information please see our Resources directory. Our What is PDA? booklet is a helpful introductory guide to the PDA profile as well, and please don’t hesitate to contact us. In addition, we’d like to draw your attention to these additional sources of information, topics or fields of study which we feel are helpful in furthering understanding about PDA.

The PDA Society also offers email updates for professionals. To subscribe to receive updates about the latest news, resources and events relevant to professionals, please click on the button below: