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Are you familiar with pathological demand avoidance? Do you need helpful strategies to raise a child with the challenging behaviors that characterize PDA? Listen in to this conversation with Dr. Cynthia Martin, a clinical psychologist, the former Senior Director of the Autism Center at the Child Mind Institute, and founder of CM Psychology in Manhattan, NY.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What is Pathological Demand Avoidance?
• What makes PDA different from typical defiance or resistance?
• Is PDA considered an official diagnosis, or is it more of a way to describe a cluster of behaviors that we’re seeing in some kids?
• What do we know about the underlying causes?
• How does PDA relate to other conditions like autism or ADHD? What are the overlaps with trauma, prenatal substance exposure??
• What are the types of behaviors parents or caregivers might see?
• How can a caregiver tell the difference between a child who can’t comply and one who won’t comply?
• Where do parents start when considering if their child has a PDA profile?
• What observations or examples should parents share to help a clinician understand their child’s challenges?
• What kinds of strategies are effective for parenting a child with PDA traits?
• How can parents reframe their approach so that daily demands — like getting dressed, brushing teeth, or doing homework — don’t turn into constant battles?
• What types of therapies or interventions tend to be most helpful?
• What do you say to caregivers who are feeling worn down and ineffective? Where do they start?
• How can a parent or caregiver set their child up for success even if they do have this PDA profile?
• What words of hope or encouragement would you offer to parents and caregivers just starting to investigate?

Resources:

• Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in Kids - Child Mind Institute
• Demand Avoidance: Why Kids Refuse to Follow Directions - Psychology Today
• Symptom Tests for Children: Is Your Child Showing Signs of Pathological Demand Avoidance? - ADDitude: ADHD Science & Strategies
• Unstuck & On Target - Evidence-Based Curricula and Resources for Professionals and Families to Support Executive Functions.

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