This study examines the prevalence of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) within a general population of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Faroe Islands. Researchers screened all 15 to 24-year-olds for ASD, identifying 67 individuals who met the diagnostic criteria. Parents of 50 of these individuals were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO), which includes 15 PDA-specific items.
The study found that nine individuals (around 20% of those with ASD) had shown PDA traits in childhood. However, by the time of assessment, only one person still met the full PDA criteria. The findings suggest that while PDA traits may be present in childhood, they may not persist into late adolescence and early adulthood in the same way. This study is a thought-provoking read for professionals and those interested in PDA diagnosis and classification.