[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc” custom_padding=”80px||80px||true|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Being misunderstood \u2013 2018 survey ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”–et_global_heading_font||||||||” title_text_align=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding_tablet=”64px||64px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”24px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]In 2018, the PDA Society published a report which revealed how PDA autistic people are at especially high risk of being misunderstood.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”24px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]The report, entitled \u201cBeing Misunderstood\u201d, is based on the largest survey to date on the topic of PDA, conducted online for two weeks in March 2018 and completed by 1,445 parents, professionals, PDA adults and their partners\/family.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BeingMisunderstood.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”View being misunderstood report” button_alignment_tablet=”” button_alignment_phone=”center” button_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding_tablet=”64px||64px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”|0px|16px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc” custom_padding=”40px|40px|40px|40px|false|false” border_radii=”on|24px|24px|24px|24px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_heading title=”Experiences of the PDA profile of autism” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||24px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||40px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”24px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]Education, health and social care services are designed to be ‘needs-based’ and ‘outcomes-focused’.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”24px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]While the intention is clear, there is a group of autistic people whose needs are frequently not identified in detail, not understood in practice and not fully communicated between professionals. As a result, outcomes are very poor.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”24px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]This was the conclusion of an extensive survey of almost 1,500 people into experiences concerning the Pathological Demand Avoidance profile of Autism. It was carried out in March 2018 by the PDA Society.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc” custom_padding=”40px|40px|40px|40px|false|false” border_radii=”on|24px|24px|24px|24px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_heading title=”Key findings” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||24px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||40px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”24px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”||16px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]The results show that very many young people with a PDA profile of Autism are finding it very difficult or impossible to cope in the school environment, and the lack of support available from services means that families are often relying on their own research to work out how to support their children.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”24px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”||16px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]The results demonstrated the ways in which difficulties persist into adulthood, exacerbated by a continued lack of understanding and support from services.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”16px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc” custom_padding=”40px|40px|40px|40px|false|false” border_radii=”on|24px|24px|24px|24px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_heading title=”Conclusions” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||24px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||40px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”24px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]It is concluded that it is in the interests of everyone that professionals are empowered to see the individual and focus on improving outcomes.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”24px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]For this to happen there are a number of recommendations, the most important being that local authorities should develop\u00a0Position Statements<\/strong>\u00a0to clarify their position on the PDA profile to service providers.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de” custom_padding=”40px|40px|40px|40px|false|false” border_radii=”on|24px|24px|24px|24px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Do you want to understand PDA better?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_text_align=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n There\u2019s always more to learn about PDA – and it can be hard to keep up. Our newsletter brings updates, ideas and support straight to your inbox. It\u2019s free, and easy to join.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjgwMjgifX0=@” button_text=”Sign up” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-6923f909-25e5-4c77-be27-cbebb4bb1b7c%22:%91%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_border_color%22%93}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In 2018, the PDA Society published a report which revealed how PDA autistic people are at especially high risk of being misunderstood.The report, entitled \u201cBeing Misunderstood\u201d, is based on the largest survey to date on the topic of PDA, conducted online for two weeks in March 2018 and completed by 1,445 parents, professionals, PDA adults and their partners\/family.Education, health and social care services are designed to be ‘needs-based’ and ‘outcomes-focused’.While the intention is clear, there is a group of autistic people whose needs are frequently not identified in detail, not understood in practice and not fully communicated between professionals. As a result, outcomes are very poor.This was the conclusion of an extensive survey of almost 1,500 people into experiences concerning the Pathological Demand Avoidance profile of Autism. It was carried out in March 2018 by the PDA Society.The results show that very many young people with a PDA profile of Autism are finding it very difficult or impossible to cope in the school environment, and the lack of support available from services means that families are often relying on their own research to work out how to support their children.The results demonstrated the ways in which difficulties persist into adulthood, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"parent":11495,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"course_tag":[],"class_list":["post-10095","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10095","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10095"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10095\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10095"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"course_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/course_tag?post=10095"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}