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Low arousal approaches and PDA

Dr. Andrew McDonnell developed the Low Arousal Approach to minimise stress and avoid escalation. This approach is helpful for PDA people, who can experience anxiety when faced with everyday demands. Traditional behaviour strategies can rely on rules, reinforcement, and consequences. McDonnell’s approach asks caregivers and professionals to help reduce anxiety through changing their behaviours and environments they work in.

Core principles of the low arousal approach

The low arousal approach has a strong evidence base:

  • Evidence suggests that maintaining low-stimulation, predictable, and calming environments significantly reduces anxiety-driven behaviours. For PDAers, this might mean reducing sensory input or incorporating familiar/ comforting elements into their daily routines. (McDonnell, 2019)
  • Demands can cause intense anxiety for PDA people, resulting in avoidance or challenging behaviours. Studies show significantly reducing the frequency and intensity of demands can lead to measurable reductions in these behaviours (Christie & Fidler, 2012).
  • Caregivers’ and support staff’s ability to manage their responses and present calm, neutral, and non-confrontational behaviour is critical. Research shows adult emotional regulation significantly influences anxiety levels and behaviours in neurodivergent populations (McDonnell, 2019)

    Practical implementation examples

    Practical implementation examples for PDA adults:

    • Knowing which demands consistently heighten stress enables you to plan around them. Scheduling sensory breaks or anxiety-reducing activities can help.
    • Flexible and adaptable routines help to reduce anxiety, providing control and predictability.
    • Managing social interactions can help avoid sensory and emotional overload. This can help you have more rewarding social experiences and relationships.

      When supporting PDAers, evidence-based practical strategies include:

      • Structuring demands gently and offering choices rather than instructions significantly reduces anxiety. This has shown positive outcomes in engagement and behaviour (Christie & Fidler, 2012).
      • Approximately 60% of communication is non-verbal. Neutral and calming body language is crucial to prevent anxiety (McDonnell, 2019).
      • Modelling calm, controlled responses can reduce anxiety and distressed behaviours. Caregivers who assess and adapt their emotional reactions can see a reduction in anxiety-driven behaviours (McDonnell et al., 2015).

        Why the Low Arousal Approach is effective for PDAers

        The Low Arousal Approach works well for PDAers because it reduces the anxiety that demands often cause. It does this by managing the environment, lowering the number of demands, and using supportive communication. These changes help because they address the real issue behind PDA behaviours, which is anxiety, not deliberate defiance.

        Using Low Arousal Approaches can also help PDA individuals and caregivers build relationships based on mutual support and respect. This method is backed by evidence, making it a strong choice for leaders to adopt. It helps reduce distressed behaviours and greatly improves the everyday wellbeing of PDAers.