PDA needs freedom to follow rules

In this episode Clinical Psychologist Dr. Alex Klein and I discuss ten common misconceptions about Pathological Demand Avoidance or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy.

Here are five from Dr. Klein:

1. The parent of a PDAer is doing something wrong, especially if they've lowered demands.
2. If a PDA child did something yesterday, they can do it again today.
3. Accommodations won’t prepare PDA kids for the real world.
4. Progress made by a PDA child is measured by what we see on the surface.
5. Behaviorism (behavioral parenting) will be enough.

And here are five from me, in strong collaboration with my PDA 11- and 7-year-olds:

1. PDA kids are bad kids.
2. How much freedom PDA kids need.
3. It's not behavioral, it's stress.
4. Why and when they can hide nervous system stress.
5. Potatoes are green and they smell like poop :)

I hope the episode is helpful to you!

xo,

Casey

PS - New to PDA? You can take our free 6-minute quiz to learn how well your child or teen fits the profile.