Sally Cat PDA

Sleep issues are often talked about in PDA forums, with exhausted parents and carers desperate for their PDA kids to sleep through the night. Current folk wisdom is to restrict screen use and feed kids melatonin, both of which may be counter-productive. Most people will know about me because of my PDA, but I’m blessed with another invisible difference that makes me appear selfish and lazy: Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS), which forces me to be awake all night and sleep through the day. My sleep phase has been severely delayed since I was a small child. I’ll talk more about DSPS later in this article, but start off with a summary of other sleep issues associated with PDA, and look at what may help. Much of the first part of this article is taken from PDA Society’s 2018 booklet on sleep, produced in association with The Sleep Charity and me (Sally Cat)  LINK PDA Society’s 2021 sleep survey A survey conducted by PDA Society in November 2021 revealed that sleep is a significant...

This blog post is co-authored with Brook Madera, also known as No Pressure PDA , and was originally published on PDA North America's website [ LINK ] Regardless of age, interpersonal stress is a hallmark of PDA. It can be possible to smooth relationships by reducing triggers or, in other cases, realising that a behaviour isn't going to go away and taking steps to limit damage from it. As authors who are PDA ourselves and the moms of PDA kids, we know first-hand that one size doesn't fit all with PDA and that it helps to know what the drivers are behind relationship friction. Care warning: Discussion of narcissism. Emotional dysregulation According to Web MD, emotional dysregulation is: “a term used to describe an emotional response that is poorly regulated and does not fall within the traditionally accepted range of emotional reaction. It may also be referred to as marked fluctuation of mood, mood swings, or labile mood.” [LINK] PDA people are so prone to emotional dysregul...

Introduction Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) research has solely focused on its external manifestations, neglecting those of us who internalise our stresses. Internalised PDA tends to go unnoticed. Our meltdowns are concealed and our demand avoidance is carried out subtly, so that we slip under the radar. However, it’s crucial to recognise that internalised PDA isn’t “less” than externalised PDA; like an iceberg, much of our experience is hidden beneath the surface. The Hidden Struggles of Internalisers The driving forces behind internalised PDA are as intense as those experienced by externalisers. This often leads to severe consequences, such as self-harm, school or work dropout, and even suicidal thoughts. It’s essential to spotlight the internalised aspects of PDA, as our ability to mask and conceal our traits results in a lack of understanding from those around us. A Guided Tour Through Internalised PDA This article invites you to explore the lesser-known aspects of PDA, partic...

Abstract Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is lifelong condition that is widely understood as a profile on the autism spectrum that has distinct characteristics beyond the broader set of traits associated with autism. This study, which was carried out in 2016, investigates the differences between PDA adults and those with a non-PDA autistic profile, focusing on 155 traits that emerged from a community-driven inquiry. Using data from 290 self-diagnosed PDA adults and 90 non-PDA autistic adults, this analysis explores significant differences between these groups, contributing to a clearer understanding of PDA as a unique profile within the autism spectrum. Introduction Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is often considered an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), although it is distinguished by an extreme avoidance of everyday demands, heightened anxiety, and unique social strategies. Despite increasing recognition, particularly in children, research into adult PDA remains limited. To addr...

This is a simplified account of what I call my "Big Traits Study" which suggests 105 traits that are distinct to PDA but not gneral autism. Method In 2016, I invited fellow members of an online adult PDA group to suggest potential, distinct PDA traits for inclusion in an in-group poll. The 228 traits were suggested were put into a Google Form poll, without editing any of the wordings. Members of the same adult PDA group were then invited to rank each of the 228 with 0 equalling "not at all" and 5 equalling "majorly". The results were filtered to select:     All traits scoring an average of 3.5+ out of 5      A small number of very unusual traits (such as making up new names for people)     Traits that were considered to be PDA indicators (being late learning to talk and being dyspraxic) 155 of the original 228 traits made it through the filter and were transferred to a second Google Form, which was completed by 290 people identify as PDA and 90 p...