All Posts
PDA Research - unanswered questions
Isaac described his experience of PDA in a video a few years ago, and so many questions come to mind when watching it. What is going on in his brain to set off a flight response when someone says 'you have to put your shoes on'...and why does that challenge remain until actively resolved? (it took two weeks of negotiation before he was able to go outside again). Should we be looking at neuroscience and physiology as well as psychology to explore what is going on? And where,
PDA Practice Guidance
This is the first publication for clinicians on the practicalities of identifying a PDA profile. It provides substantial detail on the things to look for, the experience of conducting assessments and how to differentiate PDA from other potential causes of demand avoidance. As is always the case, practice is running ahead of research, and so to have gathered the consensus view of a large group of practitioners will be valuable for all clinicians interested in assessment of aut
Guidance on Fabricated or Induced Illness
BASW have published a Practice Guide for Social Workers on Fabricated or Induced Illness and Perplexing Presentations. The Guide describes what is meant by these terms and the evidence (and more importantly, lack of evidence) for their suggested indictors. It also challenges the notion that parents seeking the best for their child, are inadvertently harming them. This is a practical Guide which considers the ways in which Social Workers should remain open to a range of causes
Diagnosing PDA in Hertfordshire
Today, a report of the experiences of 38 parents was sent to Hertfordshire's ' All Age Autism Partnership Board ' with a call for action. The majority of parents had very poor experiences of local services and of the diagnostic process. One mother wrote: "I first became aware of PDA on a television programme and thought that was exactly like my son. I was then astonished/disgusted that professionals involved with my son all agreed he had problems with demands (understatemen
PDA Diagnosis at a Tipping Point
The process of diagnosing Autism has changed in recent years, following the direction of the American diagnostic manual (DSM-5) which did away with the distinction of 'Asperger's syndrome', 'Autism' and 'others' and provided us with the formal diagnosis of ASD, with profiles then being described. Although it is the International manual that is more commonly used in the UK, the expected 2018 revision is likely to follow suit and a shift in the way ASD is diagnosed in the UK is
Supporting young people in care
A proposed amendment to the Children and Social Work bill would require assessment of children entering care to check for neurodisabilities (such as ADHD or ASD) and sufficient training of those supporting them. It has received widespread support from charities and individuals. The reason this is important was explained by one respondent: “ Without the right understanding of the way in which people think and react to others it is very easy to harm children, young people
PDA and Professionals
Pathological Demand Avoidance was described as a condition relatively recently, and while schools and parents are recognising children with the distinct set of characteristics, clinicians have correctly been awaiting more detailed research evidence. Separating out individuals from others with Autism is important as the nature of the support that they need is in some respects very different. This survey for the PDA Society identified the views of professionals working with y
Improving CAMHS and Social Care
This report describes the experiences of Isaac and our family while accessing services from CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) and Social Care in Hertfordshire over the past 6 years. It describes what was done well and what could have been improved upon. It is hoped that this case study will be valuable in the development of service commissioning and delivery, both locally and across the country. Download the report
Decline in health visiting
In 2008 the health visiting service was in decline and the effects on families were captured in this report of a survey of 6,000 mums. 'Left fending for Ourselves ' was the Netmums' response to seeing families with very young children struggling with concerns about their children's development or their own mental health and feeling that they didn't have anyone to turn to. Today, as Local Authorities take forward the responsibility for commissioning services in England there
Mums and Mental Health Problems
When health problems are discussed, very often it is professionals getting together to try to work out what will work best. It is not often that we get insights into the experiences of those who are suffering with illness. This report was a helpful reminder of the difficulties faced by women in even admitting that they are not well, and the wide range of activities that can help them to recover. It provides a very practical viewpoint of Perinatal Mental Health to help those
Personal Profile
This personal profile is a resource intended to help identify individual PDA traits, and what actions can help. It could be adapted for use by others with Autism Spectrum Conditions, or other disorders. As a family, we used this completed example . Use the template in Microsoft Word document format to amend for your own use or to support others. It is hoped that it may be used to develop understanding with a young person, with family members or with professionals. It is in
Demand-Anxiety Cycle
The Demand-Anxiety cycle helps families explore what it means to have Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and to explain the key aspects of the condition to others. It illustrates the way in which the anxiety created by the need to avoid demands can become a continual cycle. It is in Microsoft Word document format so it can be personalised. See the PDA Society for many other resources, including an opportunity for peer and expert support. You can also download a copy here
Perinatal mental health
The Pregnancy and Post-Birth Wellbeing Plan This plan is used by women with support from their midwife or health visitor at around the time they are also thinking about a Birth Plan. By considering the possibility that they may need support, and by talking to their partner, family or friends, it should mean that everyone is more alert to the possibility of mental health problems both during pregnancy and after the birth.
