Is It PDA? Demand Avoidance in the Context of Autism

Neurodiversity Podcast

On episode 270, Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Taylor Day, a licensed psychologist who specializes in neuro-affirming care for autistic children and their families. They discuss the complexities of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in children, and the importance of understanding neurodiversity and the need for family-centered care. They cover the challenges of identifying PDA, the risks of misdiagnosis, and the necessity of adapting parenting and therapeutic strategies to better support children with this profile. They also validate parents' experiences and intuition, and endorse a holistic approach to autism care that considers the needs of the entire family.

TAKEAWAYS

• PDA is a conceptualization rather than a formal diagnosis.

• Validating lived experiences is crucial for families.

• Research on PDA is progressing slowly.

• Parents often face dismissal in the medical community.

• PDA behaviors may resemble defiance or oppositionality.

• Affirming approaches can prevent family burnout.

• Quality of services is more important than quantity.

• Parents are the experts on their children.

• Therapy can take many forms beyond traditional methods.

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Dr. Taylor Day is a licensed psychologist specializing in neuro-affirming care for autistic children and their families, with a focus on early diagnosis and intervention. She is the CEO and founder of Dr. Tay Concierge Clinical Care, where she developed The Whole Family Approach, an evidence-informed model designed to address gaps in autism care by supporting both children and their families.

Dr. Day holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is dedicated to advancing early childhood autism support through personalized, family-centered interventions. Her passion for child psychology and autism advocacy is deeply rooted in her personal experience growing up with a brother diagnosed at 23 months of age.

BACKGROUND READING

Dr Day’s website, Instagram, EVOLVE with Dr. Tay: The Podcast of Parents of Autistic Kids (Spotify)