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Pathological Demand Avoidance syndrome
Background
Pathological Demand Avoidance syndrome: PDA
Pathological demand avoidance syndrome (PDA) is a pervasive developmental disorder related to, but significantly different from, Autism and Asperger syndrome Autism Spectrum disorders, including Asperger syndrome. First identified as a separate syndrome at the University of Nottingham, research has continued at the Elizabeth Newson Centre, which now holds a database of more than 250 children and adults with the condition. More recently, PDA is increasingly being recognised as part of the autism spectrum, a term that is itself synonymous with pervasive developmental disorders (National Autism Plan for Children). These children would previously have been diagnosed as having 'non-typical autism/Asperger syndrome' or 'pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified'; but it is important to diagnose them separately since they often do not respond well to the educational and treatment methods that are helpful other children on the Autism spectrum. Guidelines for education and handling are now available from the Elizabeth Newson Centre or from the PDA contact group (see ‘Is there support?’).
