What It Is
PDA is an autism profile characterized by extreme, anxiety-driven avoidance of ordinary demands and expectations. People with PDA often use sophisticated social strategies to avoid demands, have significant rigidity around control, and respond very differently to typical autism support approaches.
How It Presents in Autistic People
PDA may present as extreme non-compliance with even preferred activities when they are framed as demands, use of social strategies (negotiating, excusing, distracting) to avoid demands, significant distress when control is removed, and relatively stronger social awareness than stereotypical autism.
Treatment and Support
Traditional behavioral approaches consistently fail with PDA, they increase anxiety and avoidance. Low-demand, collaborative, autonomy-supportive approaches are more effective. The PDA Society (UK) has developed resource guides. Reducing demands and building trust is the starting point.