Autism: Demand avoidance in children and young people

Professionals in Bath, North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) Integrated Care Board (ICB) do not use the label of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) as it is not recognised or included in the current international diagnostic classifications used by clinicians. These include ICD 10 (and ICD 11, which is in draft) as well as DSM 5.

The position statement that has been coproduced with professionals and parent carer forums across the BSW ICB partnership can be viewed below.

Position statement for pathological demand avoidance (PDF)

The Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Society is a charity set up by parents of children with a PDA profile of autism. They provide information, support and training about PDA for individual, families and professionals.

The following pages provide key information on demand avoidance as well as helpful approaches and strategies to help you and your young person from the PDA society.

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