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Reframing Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) : A Neuroaffirming Perspective
Rethink PDA to recognize avoidance as a form of self-advocacy, self-preservation, and autonomy.
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On-Demand Webinar
Recorded Live Session
2 Hours
Self-Paced Learning
+ Bonus E-Book
+ Bonus E-Book
$99
$150 Value
2 Credits
Approved Provider for
APA & PA Board SW, MFT, & PC
APA & PA Board SW, MFT, & PC
Audience
Psychologists, Behavioral Health Therapists, Teachers, Individuals & Families
Introductory
Program design to build foundational understanding of an emerging area of knowledge.
What You'll Gain
Explore a neurodiversity-affirming approach to PDA and related frameworks, including EDA, RDA, and Pervasive Drive for Autonomy. Learn from experts and lived experience how to reduce demand-related stress, minimize power struggles, and support autonomy and well-being. Gain practical, evidence-informed strategies and real-world tools to implement NAS principles confidently in clinical, educational, and caregiving contexts.
Describe
Describe
the historical origins and defining characteristics associated with
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
Identify
Identify key controversies regarding PDA’s
diagnostic status within existing classification systems.
Explain
Explain
the principles of neurodiversity-affirming practice as applied to demand
avoidance presentations.
Differentiate
Differentiate between
behaviorist/pathology-based interpretations and nervous-system-informed
conceptualizations of demand avoidance.
Identify
Identify at least three introductory clinical strategies that support autonomy and reduce escalation in individuals presenting with extreme demand avoidance.
Let's Rethink PDA
Real-World Guidance From the Experts!
Course References
The following references informed course development and are not required reading for participation or credit.
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
Kildahl, A. N., Helverschou, S. B., Rysstad, A. L., Wigaard, E., Hellerud, J. M., Ludvigsen, L. B., & Howlin, P. (2021). Pathological demand avoidance in children and adolescents: A systematic review. Autism: The international journal of research and practice, 25(8), 2162–2176. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211034382
Lerner, M. D., Gurba, A. N., & Gassner, D. L. (2023). A framework for neurodiversity-affirming interventions for autistic individuals. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 91(9), 503–504. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000839
Milton, D. (2017). A mismatch of salience: Explorations of the nature of autism from theory to practice. Pavilion Press.
Madra, M., Ringel, R., & Margolis, K. G. (2020). Gastrointestinal Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 29(3), 501–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2020.02.005
Naseef, R., & Shore, S. (2025, July 9). Reframing pathological demand avoidance: A neurodiversity-affirming perspective - autism spectrum news. Autism Spectrum News. https://autismspectrumnews.org/reframing-pathological-demand-avoidance-a-neurodiversity-affirming-perspective/
Sarris, M. (2024, June 18). Anxiety’s toll on children and adults with autism. SPARK: Simons Powering Autism Research. https://sparkforautism.org/discover_article/anxiety-autism/
Stuart, L., Grahame, V., Honey, E., & Freeston, M. (2019). Intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety as explanatory frameworks for extreme demand avoidance in children and adolescents. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 25(2), 59–67. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12336
Woods, R. (2020). Commentary: Demand avoidance phenomena, a manifold issue? Intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety as explanatory frameworks for extreme demand avoidance in children and adolescents – a commentary on Stuart et al. (2020). Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 25(2), 68–70. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12368
World Health Organization. (2019). International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (11th ed.). https://icd.who.int/
Kildahl, A. N., Helverschou, S. B., Rysstad, A. L., Wigaard, E., Hellerud, J. M., Ludvigsen, L. B., & Howlin, P. (2021). Pathological demand avoidance in children and adolescents: A systematic review. Autism: The international journal of research and practice, 25(8), 2162–2176. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211034382
Lerner, M. D., Gurba, A. N., & Gassner, D. L. (2023). A framework for neurodiversity-affirming interventions for autistic individuals. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 91(9), 503–504. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000839
Milton, D. (2017). A mismatch of salience: Explorations of the nature of autism from theory to practice. Pavilion Press.
Madra, M., Ringel, R., & Margolis, K. G. (2020). Gastrointestinal Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 29(3), 501–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2020.02.005
Naseef, R., & Shore, S. (2025, July 9). Reframing pathological demand avoidance: A neurodiversity-affirming perspective - autism spectrum news. Autism Spectrum News. https://autismspectrumnews.org/reframing-pathological-demand-avoidance-a-neurodiversity-affirming-perspective/
Sarris, M. (2024, June 18). Anxiety’s toll on children and adults with autism. SPARK: Simons Powering Autism Research. https://sparkforautism.org/discover_article/anxiety-autism/
Stuart, L., Grahame, V., Honey, E., & Freeston, M. (2019). Intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety as explanatory frameworks for extreme demand avoidance in children and adolescents. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 25(2), 59–67. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12336
Woods, R. (2020). Commentary: Demand avoidance phenomena, a manifold issue? Intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety as explanatory frameworks for extreme demand avoidance in children and adolescents – a commentary on Stuart et al. (2020). Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 25(2), 68–70. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12368
World Health Organization. (2019). International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (11th ed.). https://icd.who.int/
Frameworks and practical tools for supporting autonomy and regulation.
Course Highlights
A Neuroaffirming Definition of PDA
Examine PDA through a strengths-based, neuroaffirming lens.
Alternative Frameworks Explained
Compare and contrast EDA (Extreme Demand Avoidance), RDA (Rational Demand Avoidance), and PDA-2 to understand how different models conceptualize demand avoidance and guide intervention choices.
Guidance Grounded in Evidence and Practice
Explore how research, clinical expertise, and neuroaffirming principles converge to inform ethical, supportive, and evidence-informed responses.
Case-Based Analysis
Analyze real-world scenarios to distinguish between:
What Works—According to Experts
Apply insights from lived experience and professional practice to develop practical strategies that reduce harm, minimize power struggles, and promote well-being.
Tools & Resources for Real-World Settings
Learn neurodiversity-affirming strategies that can be immediately applied across clinical, educational, and caregiving contexts to support autonomy and collaboration.
Turn Learning Into Action — E-Book Included
Transform expert insights into meaningful change. Participants receive a downloadable e-book packed with actionable, easy-to-use strategies to support autistic individuals with respect, clarity, and care.
Examine PDA through a strengths-based, neuroaffirming lens.
Alternative Frameworks Explained
Compare and contrast EDA (Extreme Demand Avoidance), RDA (Rational Demand Avoidance), and PDA-2 to understand how different models conceptualize demand avoidance and guide intervention choices.
Guidance Grounded in Evidence and Practice
Explore how research, clinical expertise, and neuroaffirming principles converge to inform ethical, supportive, and evidence-informed responses.
Case-Based Analysis
Analyze real-world scenarios to distinguish between:
- Stress-driven avoidance
- Cognitive load–driven avoidance
- Autonomy-driven avoidance
-
Build confidence in differential understanding rather than one-size-fits-all explanations.
What Works—According to Experts
Apply insights from lived experience and professional practice to develop practical strategies that reduce harm, minimize power struggles, and promote well-being.
Tools & Resources for Real-World Settings
Learn neurodiversity-affirming strategies that can be immediately applied across clinical, educational, and caregiving contexts to support autonomy and collaboration.
Turn Learning Into Action — E-Book Included
Transform expert insights into meaningful change. Participants receive a downloadable e-book packed with actionable, easy-to-use strategies to support autistic individuals with respect, clarity, and care.
Meet the instructor
Stephen Shore, EdD
Dr. Shore is a professor of special education at Adelphi University, where he teaches and researches issues related to the autism spectrum. He co-developed Adelphi’s autism certificate program and teaches a variety of courses in special education. His mission is to make fulfilling and productive lives for autistic people the rule rather than the exception.
Through teaching, research, writing, workshops, and presentations, he shares evidence-based strategies and lived perspectives to support autistic individuals, their families, and the professionals who work with them. In addition, he integrates his passion for music by offering lessons that foster creativity and personal growth.
Dr. Shore regularly presents for organizations on autism, education, and inclusion, and welcomes opportunities to collaborate with groups seeking to advance understanding and support for the autistic community.
Meet the instructor
Robert Naseef, PhD
Robert Naseef, Ph.D. is a psychologist, author, and father of an adult son with autism. He is internationally recognized for his work supporting families and training professionals in autism treatment and inclusion. Alongside Stephen Shore, Ed.D., he serves as a lead consultant to the Arc of Philadelphia and SAP’s Autism at Work program.
Dr. Naseef is the author of Autism in the Family: Caring and Coping Together (2013) and Special Children, Challenged Parents (1996), and co-editor of Voices from the Spectrum (2006). He has spoken nationally and internationally, given a TEDx talk, and received the 2008 Variety Children’s Charity award for his contributions to the autism community. His work highlights the psychology of men, fatherhood, and the lived experience of families raising children with disabilities.
