Mental health
Found 22 listings
Keira’s story
Keira is 17 and currently doing very well after a 10 year struggle with an eating disorder and difficulties related to her PDA profile not being understood or supported by health and social care. Her story illustrates the life-changing impact when professionals adapt their practice to be person-centred and [...]
Eating Disorder Support
This page signposts some sources of useful information and support regarding eating disorders.
The PDA Society takes considerable care to check the services that we signpost, however we’re not responsible for the quality, experience or outcomes from third party organisations.
When accessing services and support, it is likely that you’ll need to [...]
PDA & school avoidance podcast with James
15 year old James shares his thoughts on why school is difficult for young people with a PDA profile. He openly talks about his experience of school and the daily challenges around demands, masking, sensory difficulties, school avoidance, friendships and transitions. He also offers some possible solutions and tips [...]
PDA & masking with James
In this video 14 year old James kindly shares information about his experience of PDA and masking.
Hi, I'm James and I'm 14 years old. I was diagnosed with PDA at the age of 12 and would like to share some information about masking. A lot of people with PDA [...]
Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty and Anxiety
Intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety as explanatory frameworks for extreme demand avoidance in children and adolescents
This research was conducted by researchers at the Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder Service and South Tyneside Community Team, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, and School of Psychology, Newcastle University.
The abstract concludes:
"This study represents one [...]
Disorders in childhood: Overview for paediatricians
Behavioural and emotional disorders in childhood: A brief overview for paediatricians
This is a review of all relevant published literature relating to behavioural, emotional and developmental problems in children and adolescents. It is intended as a guide for clinicians and aims to raise awareness of the importance of recognising and [...]
National Autistic Society PDA resources
Here are links to some of the National Autistic Society's PDA resources:
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
PDA - a guide for autistic adults
PDA - a guide for parents and carers
Pathological Demand Avoidance? An adult's perspective
Post-diagnosis support - a guide for autistic adults
Meeting the educational needs [...]
Support for PDA adults
This page signposts some sources of useful information and support for PDA adults and their families.
The PDA Society takes considerable care to check the services that we signpost, however we’re not responsible for the quality, experience or outcomes from third party organisations.
When accessing services and support, it is likely [...]
Keys to care
A single page information sheet for supporting and helping a PDA person. Ideal for those working with individuals whose care-needs have been identified as relating to demand avoidance. Useful as a grab-sheet for members of staff - a regular reminder of what can help.
Also helpful for family members or [...]
Self-help, coping strategies and therapies for adult PDAers
These suggestions for self-help, coping strategies and therapies were assembled from a variety of first-hand accounts shared by adults, diagnosed or self-identifying as having a PDA profile (PDAers being their preferred term of reference), in books, blogs and on social media and from the other information for adults on [...]
Adults: PDA & mental health
The following is a summary of Dr Judy Eaton's talk at the PDA Society Conference in Birmingham on 18th April 2018
Judy opened by sayings that people often ask her “what is this PDA? There was never this PDA when we were younger. Where were all these people?”. Her response [...]
Being Misunderstood – 2018 Survey
Experiences of the PDA Profile of Autism
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 [...]
PDA and Mental Health Issues
In this webinar, Dr. Judy Eaton from Help4Pyschology looks at aspects of mental health in both autistic children and adults, and in particular, with a PDA profile. She explores anxiety, eating disorders and the relationship with personality disorders before going on to look the opportunities for support from family [...]
Demand-Anxiety Cycle: resource template
A tool to help young people, parents & professionals understand demand avoidance and talk together.
Tick boxes that apply, write on it, or edit the document….
Whatever works for you.
Download editable template
A third party German translation of this document (by a German parent of a PDA child) is also available here.
Please [...]
Support for parents & carers
This page signposts some sources of useful information and support regarding health, social care, justice, benefits and more.
The PDA Society takes considerable care to check the services that we signpost, however we’re not responsible for the quality, experience or outcomes from third party organisations.
When accessing services and support, it [...]
Blogs by Professionals
All links are independent and external to the PDA Society.
Help for Autism and PDA by Dr Judy Eaton -Consultant Clinical Psychologist
SmallTalk Speech & Language Therapy - blogs by Libby Hill, independent Speech and language therapist specialising in autism and PDA
Raelene Dundon - Raelene is the Director of Okey Dokey [...]
PDA by PDAers
PDA by PDAers: From Anxiety to Avoidance and Masking to Meltdowns
This book is a collection of genuine insights and experiences from people living with PDA, adapted from their interactions on a popular online support group. It includes frank discussions of topics relevant to PDA, including work, relationships and managing [...]
Food Refusal and Avoidant Eating
Food Refusal and Avoidant Eating in Children, including those with Autism Spectrum Conditions
A Practical Guide for Parents and Professionals
Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have a restricted dietary range, and this book provides parents with suggestions and training on how to deal with this condition and achieve [...]
The Incredible 5-Point Scale
This much-awaited second edition of the popular Incredible 5-Point Scale is significantly improved and expanded.
Using the same practical and user-friendly format as the first edition, Buron and Curtis let readers benefit from work done with the scales over the past 10 years, to result in refinements to the original [...]
Mental Health Issues in Girls
A Guide to Mental Health Issues in Girls and Young Women on the Autism Spectrum: Diagnosis, Intervention and Family Support
This book addresses the specific mental health needs of girls and young women with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Looking at the ways autism presents differently in girls than in boys, [...]
PDA Society Conference 2015
The first PDA Society conference took place on September 23rd 2015 in Northampton. The day was a great success, with 240 delegates attending.
A booklet which includes some commentary and photos from the event, plus the key points from the pre-conference survey can be downloaded within the article.
Published: 2015
View article [...]
Survey of Professionals
Overview
Awareness of PDA has been growing rapidy in recent years. The National Autistic Society run annual conferences on the subject and research is now being conducted by a number of different institutions, so understanding of the condition is developing apace.
Parents, schools and health and eductional professionals are finding that [...]