Frequently Asked Questions

This is a quick link guide to the most frequently asked questions our enquiry line service receives about PDA …

Is a PDA profile of autism a good fit for me or my child?

Only an experienced clinician would be able to say whether a PDA profile of autism is a good fit for you or your child, after undertaking a very detailed assessment. There’s a wealth of information on our website which will help give you a good understanding of PDA, these are good starting points:

About Autism & PDA

What is demand avoidance?

Identifying & Assessing PDA

Introduction to PDA webinar

PDA case studies & lived experiences

What is PDA? information sheet

What is PDA? video

How is PDA assessed/diagnosed?

Please see detailed information on the diagnostic pathway for children and diagnostic pathway for adults.

Identifying & Assessing PDA (Practice Guidance)

Group – what makes a good diagnostic assessment

PDA Society statement on diagnostic terminology

(How can PDA be diagnosed if it’s not in the diagnostic manuals?)

Whilst PDA is not mentioned in the diagnostic manuals that many clinicians refer to, a PDA profile can be identified as part of an autism assessment and terminology such as “Autistic with a PDA profile” used. This use of ‘specifiers’ to personalise and contextualise a diagnosis and helpful support approaches is encouraged by the European Society for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and The Lancet Commission on Autism. Further details can be found in the Identifying & Assessing a PDA Profile Practice Guidance.