Pathological Demand Avoidance

Empowering clinicians and families to understand PDA, reduce pressure & create a path toward trust and collaboration.

A$35.00

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  • 11 Worksheets

  • Easy-to-use

  • Instant access

Pocket Psych Resources Autistic People Parents Professionals Clinicians Educators

Our PDA Family Guide offers a structured yet flexible approach with practical, neuroaffirming strategies to reduce pressure, build trust, and help families begin reconnecting — an essential first step.

Pathological Demand Avoidance is a profile often linked to autism, characterised by an intense need to avoid everyday demands due to high anxiety and a strong need for control.

As clinicians, we have the opportunity to support families in understanding the child’s experience and shift the focus from compliance to connection.

Pocket Psych Resources Autistic People Parents Professionals Clinicians Educators

Key features:

Guided Collaboration

Designed to facilitate meaningful discussions between professionals and caregivers.

Neuroaffirming Approach

Celebrates strengths, respects social differences, and provides actionable strategies for navigating challenges in a way that honours the child’s autonomy.

Trauma-Informed

Recognises the impact of past experiences, prioritising emotional safety and reducing stress for both the child and caregivers.

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Pocket Psych Resources Autistic People Parents Professionals Clinicians Educators

What you’ll get:

2 Handouts for Parents

  • PDA in Families Understand how PDA shapes family dynamics.

  • PDA and Anxiety – The link between PDA and stress responses.

9 Worksheets for Professionals

  • Family Values – Clarifying what truly matters.

  • Increasing Connection – Strengthening relationships.

  • Prioritising What Matters – Focusing on what’s manageable.

  • Window of Tolerance – Recognising and respecting emotional capacity.

  • Disguising Demands – Using declarative language effectively.

  • Reducing Pressure – Creating a low-demand environment.

  • Letting Go of Demands – Knowing when to step back.

  • Self-Care for Carers – Preventing burnout and fostering well-being.

  • Using Humour – A powerful tool to diffuse tension.

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How it Works

  • 01. Purchase

    Add to cart and check out — this is a digital resource, so there’s no shipping, just instant access.

  • 02. Download

    You’ll receive your download link right away and again in your confirmation email.

  • 03. Print

    Please note colours may vary depending on your printer and settings.

FAQs

  • This is a digital product, so no physical items will be shipped. Once you complete your purchase, you’ll get instant access to download your files. Because it’s a digital product, all sales are final — but if anything goes wrong with your download, just send us an email at hello@pocketpsych.com.au and we’ll sort it out for you.

  • You can use the guide sequentially with a family over multiple sessions. Or you can pull out the worksheets as certain topics arise in therapy. It’s designed so you can dip in and out as you need. 

  • No! We have designed this guide to take an evidenced based approach. Any allied health professional working with PDA children will be able to pick it up and use it with minimal preparation.  

Get your copy of Pathological Demand Avoidance

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