The PDA Experience
Pathological Demand Avoidance.. perhaps the trickiest therapeutic dance in our studio. PDAers need a very flexible approach that is centred around autonomy and safety.
1. What is PDA?
Neurodivergent minds are wired differently. Their brains preference certain areas over others.. like over the prefrontal cortex that is home to our Executive functions.
2. The breakdown of demands
3. Demands from a PDAer perspective explained
4. How to support
The language approach- invitational and declarative
Download and print this handout about language if you need to- Get very familiar with this approach!!
Reducing demands with declarative language means we need to be mindful of
OUR NON VERBAL CUES. This is a form of coregulation. Notice your tone, eye contact, body language and facial expression... because PDA kids will notice if you are trying to "trick them". So meet them as an equal in curiosity instead.
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In essence this language is really about using commentary and narrating your actions and reasonings; presenting from your experience. It's a very clear way of distinguishing the YOU and the Me in a relationship and it supports autonomy.
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Below is a video interview that is super helpful to understand what this language is and why we do it. It's not specifically geared toward PDA but valuable.