Tips for Managing Children with PDA
Pathological Demand Avoidance
What is Pathological Demand Avoidance?
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a term which encompasses exhibited behaviours indicating string resistance to everyday demands and increased need for control. PDA is a pattern of behaviour. These behaviours are often linked to an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis but PDA is not a subtype of ASD or a separate diagnosis.
Key Characteristics of PDA in Children
1. Resistance to Requests
Not following instructions, including in response to demands which are simple or daily tasks. The response to requests can be defiant or aggressive.
2. Social Manipulation
Using social strategies such as causing distractions, making excuses and using redirection to avoid demands.
3. Mood Swings
Large variations in mood occur, particularly when given demands.
4. Anxiety-Driven Behaviours.
This can include a range of anxious behaviour, dependent on the child associated with the perceived pressure of demands.
5. Need for Control.
Needing to control the environment and people around them. This can limit the activities people want to participate in.
Practical Tips for Managing PDA
1. Give Simple Choices
This will help to give the child a sense of control. Keep choices limited and orientate towards the skill or task you are wanting the child to do/learn.
2. Collaborate with the Child
Where possible include the child with decision making process to encourage a sense of control and increase task motivation.
3. Involve Play
Use playfulness during tasks to make them more enjoyable, with less of a focus on demands.
4. Allow Extra Time for Tasks
Give notice for when tasks will be ending and allow for processing time for instructions. Allow for additional time for task to be completed when planning activities. Time pressures can increase avoidance behaviours.
5. Do not Use Ultimatums
These can amplify avoidance behaviours. Explain options and possible consequences of their choices.
6. Manage Sensory Inputs and Adjust Environments
Sensory overload is common with PDA and can amplify avoidance behaviours. Where possible modify the environment to lower sensory inputs or use sensory strategies such as noise cancelling headphones to help the child cope in the environment.
7. Be Flexible with Expectations
Adapt your expectations as needed based on the mood and presentation of the child. Lower demands, approach the task from a different angle or try again later.
8. Be Calm and Consistent
Remaining calm and ensuring a predictable response or routine will help to manage anxiety in the child.
9. Provide positive Reinforcement
Give ample praise and encouragement for positive behaviours. Look for opportunities to praise them for even small amounts of effort.
When to Seek Professional Support
PDA can substantially limit a child’s ability to perform day to day tasks and negatively impact their engagement and performance at school. It is important to reach out and work with professionals including psychologists, counsellors and occupational therapists to assist with the development and implementation of strategies as required.
Pathological Demand Avoidance
What is Pathological Demand Avoidance?
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a term which encompasses exhibited behaviours indicating string resistance to everyday demands and increased need for control. PDA is a pattern of behaviour. These behaviours are often linked to an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis but PDA is not a subtype of ASD or a separate diagnosis.
Key Characteristics of PDA in Children
1. Resistance to Requests
Not following instructions, including in response to demands which are simple or daily tasks. The response to requests can be defiant or aggressive.
2. Social Manipulation
Using social strategies such as causing distractions, making excuses and using redirection to avoid demands.
3. Mood Swings
Large variations in mood occur, particularly when given demands.
4. Anxiety-Driven Behaviours.
This can include a range of anxious behaviour, dependent on the child associated with the perceived pressure of demands.
5. Need for Control.
Needing to control the environment and people around them. This can limit the activities people want to participate in.
Practical Tips for Managing PDA
1. Give Simple Choices
This will help to give the child a sense of control. Keep choices limited and orientate towards the skill or task you are wanting the child to do/learn.
2. Collaborate with the Child
Where possible include the child with decision making process to encourage a sense of control and increase task motivation.
3. Involve Play
Use playfulness during tasks to make them more enjoyable, with less of a focus on demands.
4. Allow Extra Time for Tasks
Give notice for when tasks will be ending and allow for processing time for instructions. Allow for additional time for task to be completed when planning activities. Time pressures can increase avoidance behaviours.
5. Do not Use Ultimatums
These can amplify avoidance behaviours. Explain options and possible consequences of their choices.
6. Manage Sensory Inputs and Adjust Environments
Sensory overload is common with PDA and can amplify avoidance behaviours. Where possible modify the environment to lower sensory inputs or use sensory strategies such as noise cancelling headphones to help the child cope in the environment.
7. Be Flexible with Expectations
Adapt your expectations as needed based on the mood and presentation of the child. Lower demands, approach the task from a different angle or try again later.
8. Be Calm and Consistent
Remaining calm and ensuring a predictable response or routine will help to manage anxiety in the child.
9. Provide positive Reinforcement
Give ample praise and encouragement for positive behaviours. Look for opportunities to praise them for even small amounts of effort.
When to Seek Professional Support
PDA can substantially limit a child’s ability to perform day to day tasks and negatively impact their engagement and performance at school. It is important to reach out and work with professionals including psychologists, counsellors and occupational therapists to assist with the development and implementation of strategies as required.
Our Values in Practice
At Belong Health, we prioritise compassion, integrity, and empowerment in our approach to behaviour management. Our goal is to support you in fostering positive behaviour in your child, no matter your location. Whether you’re in Mandurah, Rockingham, Perth Metro, or connecting via telehealth, we are committed to offering personalised care and ongoing guidance to help you achieve the best outcomes.
At Belong Health, we prioritise compassion, integrity, and empowerment in our approach to behaviour management. Our goal is to support you in fostering positive behaviour in your child, no matter your location. Whether you’re in Mandurah, Rockingham, Perth Metro, or connecting via telehealth, we are committed to offering personalised care and ongoing guidance to help you achieve the best outcomes.
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Your feedback helps us continue to provide support and information that benefits our community.
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Explore Home Therapy Packs
Our guides provide practical strategies to support children facing these challenges. To further enhance your approach, consider our Home Therapy Packs, designed to engage children and improve focus at home.
Explore Home Therapy Packs
Our guides provide practical strategies to support children facing these challenges. To further enhance your approach, consider our Home Therapy Packs, designed to engage children and improve focus at home.
Explore Home Therapy Packs
Have a question? or need more information
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Referrals to Belong Health
We are Medicare and Private Health fund registered for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.
EPC/Team care arrangements/Chronic disease (CDM) or GP management plans and self-referrals are all acceptable.
WA NDIS Registered Provider
We are Medicare and Private Health fund registered for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.
EPC/Team care arrangements/Chronic disease (CDM) or GP management plans and self-referrals are all acceptable.
WA NDIS Registered Provider
Medicare
You can get a referral from your/your child’s GP for OT on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan this gives you 5 sessions for OT per calendar year with a $53 rebate available on each session or a Helping Children with Autism/PDD/ or an eligible disability package (20 sessions between allied health professionals, as set up by a Paediatrician/Psychiatrist) which gives your child under 16 years a $75 rebate per session for the 20 sessions, you can use up to 10 sessions per Health Professional (up to 10 for OT) and you will need a separate referral letter from your child’s Paediatrician for each Allied Health Professional you are seeking services from.
You can get a referral from your/your child’s GP for OT on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan this gives you 5 sessions for OT per calendar year with a $53 rebate available on each session or a Helping Children with Autism/PDD/ or an eligible disability package (20 sessions between allied health professionals, as set up by a Paediatrician/Psychiatrist) which gives your child under 16 years a $75 rebate per session for the 20 sessions, you can use up to 10 sessions per Health Professional (up to 10 for OT) and you will need a separate referral letter from your child’s Paediatrician for each Allied Health Professional you are seeking services from.
Private Health
Your Private Health fund may cover up to 75% of the cost of OT sessions if this is included in your cover, be sure to call them or check your policy for details.
No referral or self referral
You do not require a referral for accessing OT
Your Private Health fund may cover up to 75% of the cost of OT sessions if this is included in your cover, be sure to call them or check your policy for details.
No referral or self referral
You do not require a referral for accessing OT
NDIS Registered Provider
We are an NDIS Registered Provider
Whether you or your child have NDIS funding that is NDIS Managed, Third Party Plan Managed or you are Self-Managing your funds, you are able to use your funding to cover the full cost of therapy services plus travel costs. You will need provide us with your/your child’s NDIS number and plan details ahead of your first session. Once you have booked a session or contacted us, our team will be in touch to discuss our service agreement and provide you with our services price list.
We are an NDIS Registered Provider
Whether you or your child have NDIS funding that is NDIS Managed, Third Party Plan Managed or you are Self-Managing your funds, you are able to use your funding to cover the full cost of therapy services plus travel costs. You will need provide us with your/your child’s NDIS number and plan details ahead of your first session. Once you have booked a session or contacted us, our team will be in touch to discuss our service agreement and provide you with our services price list.
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BELONG HEALTH'S Paediatric Occupational Therapy SERVICES FOR Perth region
A: Alexander Heights, Alfred Cove, Applecross, Applecross North, Ardross, Armadale, Ascot, Ashby, Ashfield, Attadale, Atwell, Aubin Grove, Aveley
B: Balcatta, Balga, Ballajura, Banjup, Banksia Grove, Baskerville, Bassendean, Bateman, Bayswater, Beaconsfield, Beckenham, Bedford, Bedfordale, Beechboro, Beeliar, Beldon, Belhus, Bellevue, Belmont, Bennett Springs, Bentley, Bibra Lake, Bicton, Booragoon, Boya, Brabham, Brentwood, Brigadoon, Broadway Nedlands, Brookdale, Bull Creek, Burns Beach, Burswood, Bushmead, Butler
C: Canning Vale, Cannington, Carabooda, Carine, Carlisle, Carramar, Caversham, Champion Lakes, Churchlands, City Beach, Claremont, Clarkson, Cloverdale, Cockburn Central, Como, Connolly, Coogee, Coolbellup, Coolbinia, Cottesloe, Craigie, Crawley, Currambine
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E: East Cannington, East Fremantle, East Perth, East Victoria Park, Eden Hill, Edgewater, Ellenbrook, Embleton
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K: Kallaroo, Karawara, Kardinya, Karragullen, Karrakatta, Karrinyup, Kelmscott, Kensington, Kenwick, Kewdale, Kiara, Kings Park, Kingsley, Kingsway, Kinross, Koondoola, Koongamia
L: Landsdale, Langford, Lathlain, Leederville, Leeming, Lexia, Lockridge, Lynwood
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N: Nedlands, Neerabup, Nollamara, Noranda, North Beach, North Coogee, North Fremantle, North Lake, North Perth, Northbridge, Nowergup
O: O'connor, Ocean Reef, Orange Grove, Osborne Park
P: Padbury, Palmyra, Parkerville, Parkwood, Pearsall, Peppermint Grove, Perth, Piara Waters, Pinjar, Queens Park, Quinns Rocks
R: Red Hill, Redcliffe, Ridgewood, Riverton, Rivervale, Roleystone, Rossmoyne, Rottnest Island
S: Salter Point, Samson, Sawyers Valley, Scarborough, Seville Grove, Shelley, Shenton Park, Sinagra, Sorrento, South Fremantle, South Guildford, South Lake, South Perth, Southern River, Spearwood, St James, Stirling, Stoneville, Stratton, Subiaco, Subiaco East, Success, Swan View, Swanbourne
T: Tamala Park, Tapping, The Vines, Thornlie, Treeby, Trigg, Tuart Hill
U: Upper Swan
V: Victoria Park
W: Wangara, Wanneroo, Warwick, Waterford, Watermans Bay, Wattle Grove, Wattleup, Welshpool, Wembley, Wembley Downs, West Leederville, West Perth, West Swan, Westfield, Westminster, White Gum Valley, Whiteman, Willagee, Willetton, Wilson, Winthrop, Woodbridge, Woodlands, Woodvale, Wungong
Y: Yangebup, Yokine
B: Balcatta, Balga, Ballajura, Banjup, Banksia Grove, Baskerville, Bassendean, Bateman, Bayswater, Beaconsfield, Beckenham, Bedford, Bedfordale, Beechboro, Beeliar, Beldon, Belhus, Bellevue, Belmont, Bennett Springs, Bentley, Bibra Lake, Bicton, Booragoon, Boya, Brabham, Brentwood, Brigadoon, Broadway Nedlands, Brookdale, Bull Creek, Burns Beach, Burswood, Bushmead, Butler
C: Canning Vale, Cannington, Carabooda, Carine, Carlisle, Carramar, Caversham, Champion Lakes, Churchlands, City Beach, Claremont, Clarkson, Cloverdale, Cockburn Central, Como, Connolly, Coogee, Coolbellup, Coolbinia, Cottesloe, Craigie, Crawley, Currambine
D: Daglish, Dalkeith, Darch, Darlington, Dayton, Dianella, Dog Swamp, Doubleview, Duncraig
E: East Cannington, East Fremantle, East Perth, East Victoria Park, Eden Hill, Edgewater, Ellenbrook, Embleton
F: Ferndale, Floreat, Forrestdale, Forrestfield, Fremantle
G: Gidgegannup, Girrawheen, Glen Forrest, Glendalough, Glengarry, Gnangara, Gosnells, Greenmount, Greenwood, Guildford, Gwelup
H: Hamersley, Hamilton Hill, Hammond Park, Harrisdale, Haynes, Hazelmere, Heathridge, Helena Valley, Henderson, Henley Brook, Herdsman, Herne Hill, High Wycombe, Highgate, Hilbert, Hillarys, Hilton, Hocking, Hovea, Huntingdale
I: Iluka, Inglewood, Innaloo, Jandabup, Jandakot, Jane Brook, Jindalee, Jolimont, Joondalup, Joondanna
K: Kallaroo, Karawara, Kardinya, Karragullen, Karrakatta, Karrinyup, Kelmscott, Kensington, Kenwick, Kewdale, Kiara, Kings Park, Kingsley, Kingsway, Kinross, Koondoola, Koongamia
L: Landsdale, Langford, Lathlain, Leederville, Leeming, Lexia, Lockridge, Lynwood
M: Maddington, Madeley, Mahogany Creek, Maida Vale, Malaga, Manning, Marangaroo, Mariginiup, Marmion, Martin, Maylands, Melaleuca, Melville, Menora, Merriwa, Middle Swan, Midland, Midvale, Millendon, Mindarie, Mirrabooka, Morangup, Morley, Mosman Park, Mount Claremont, Mount Hawthorn, Mount Lawley, Mount Nasura, Mount Pleasant, Mount Richon, Mullaloo, Munster, Murdoch, Myaree
N: Nedlands, Neerabup, Nollamara, Noranda, North Beach, North Coogee, North Fremantle, North Lake, North Perth, Northbridge, Nowergup
O: O'connor, Ocean Reef, Orange Grove, Osborne Park
P: Padbury, Palmyra, Parkerville, Parkwood, Pearsall, Peppermint Grove, Perth, Piara Waters, Pinjar, Queens Park, Quinns Rocks
R: Red Hill, Redcliffe, Ridgewood, Riverton, Rivervale, Roleystone, Rossmoyne, Rottnest Island
S: Salter Point, Samson, Sawyers Valley, Scarborough, Seville Grove, Shelley, Shenton Park, Sinagra, Sorrento, South Fremantle, South Guildford, South Lake, South Perth, Southern River, Spearwood, St James, Stirling, Stoneville, Stratton, Subiaco, Subiaco East, Success, Swan View, Swanbourne
T: Tamala Park, Tapping, The Vines, Thornlie, Treeby, Trigg, Tuart Hill
U: Upper Swan
V: Victoria Park
W: Wangara, Wanneroo, Warwick, Waterford, Watermans Bay, Wattle Grove, Wattleup, Welshpool, Wembley, Wembley Downs, West Leederville, West Perth, West Swan, Westfield, Westminster, White Gum Valley, Whiteman, Willagee, Willetton, Wilson, Winthrop, Woodbridge, Woodlands, Woodvale, Wungong
Y: Yangebup, Yokine
