Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome in Children cover art

Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome in Children

A Guide for Parents, Teachers and Other Professionals

Preview
Get this deal Try Premium Plus free
Offer ends 29 January 2026 at 11:59PM GMT.
Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Just £0.99/mo for your first 3 months of Audible.
1 bestseller or new release per month—yours to keep.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts, and Originals.
Auto-renews at £8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome in Children

By: Margaret Duncan, Zara Healy, Ruth Fidler, Phil Christie
Narrated by: John Telfer
Get this deal Try Premium Plus free

£8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly. Offer ends 29 January 2026 at 11:59PM GMT.

£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

LIMITED TIME OFFER | £0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Premium Plus auto-renews at £8.99/mo after 3 months. Terms apply.

About this listen

Straightforward guide to understanding PDA for anyone needing an overview of the condition.

Pathological demand avoidance syndrome (PDA) is a developmental disorder that is being increasingly recognised as part of the autism spectrum. The main characteristic is a continued resistance to the ordinary demands of life through strategies of social manipulation, which originates from an anxiety-driven need to be in control.

This straightforward guide is written collaboratively by professionals and parents to give a complete overview of PDA. Starting with an exploration into the syndrome, it goes on to answer the immediate questions triggered when a child is first diagnosed, and uses case examples throughout to illustrate the impact of the condition on different areas of the child's life. Early intervention options and workable strategies for managing PDA positively will make day-to-day life easier for the child, their family and peers. New problems faced in the teenage years and how to assist a successful transition from adolescence to adulthood are also tackled. The book concludes with a valuable resources list.

Full of helpful guidance and support, this user-friendly introductory handbook is essential listening for families, carers and anyone who knows a child with PDA.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2011 Phil Christie, Margaret Duncan, Ruth Fidler, Zara Healy (P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
Children's Health Education Mental Health Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Special Education & Disabilities Autism Special need Health

Listeners also enjoyed...

The Explosive Child cover art
The PDA Paradox cover art
Declarative Language Handbook cover art
Low-Demand Parenting cover art
Changing Our Minds cover art
Autism cover art
Pathological Demand Avoidance cover art
A Practical Guide to CBT for Work cover art
Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Adults cover art
Lost at School cover art
Understanding Your High Functioning Autistic Child cover art
Your Child is Not Broken cover art
Parenting Your Child with Autism cover art
Beginner’s Guide to Raising ADHD Kids cover art
Give Them the Words cover art
Parenting ADHD Power Pack 3 in 1 Bundle cover art
All stars
Most relevant
My sons educational psychologist report recommended this book to be read by his special school teachers and assistants. As a parent I felt it would be useful for me to read this too and I am so glad I have! In being diagnosed I was just told his diagnosis of ASD with pathological demand avoidance due to anxiety and was given no explanation or tools to support him. We have had disability social services support and many of their tools are for your typical ASD child and were not at all effective in meeting my sons needs. This book explains PDA and also strategies to be used. It talks about siblings and the pressure put on parents of children with the condition. I felt like I finally found a resource I need everyone to read before they judge how I negotiate and compromise on every part of my sons day! My mum has already read it and I feel overwhelmingly more supported. I am using strategies from the book with success and I feel we are managing our day to day better.

I think this is the one book (and I have read a lot) on PDA which all social workers, teachers, parents and wider family network should read. In better understanding PDA we can better support both the child/adult with PDA and their families!

An absolute must read for all involved with PDA

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Engaging, warm narrator who conveyed the strong advice in the book with positivity and good humour (we need that)! The book was well researches and written. I'll listen again!

Highly recommended

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This is a good guide to give you a helpful understanding of PDA, and if you’re a parent looking to understand this condition, it’s a good place to start. The narration is clear and well-paced. Definitely recommended.

Helpful guide

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I knew it, reading this book confirmed all my suspicions.... Thank you..
It was as if this book was wrote about my daughter.

WOW

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This book is amazing! I feel like it has been written about my child. It helped me to identify and understand what is going on in his brain. Since I read and listened (100 times) this book our life (and his behaviour) changed a lot. Highly recommend to everyone who has a little genius at home but he/she cannot comply in the school environment.
Also thank You for the clear and enjoyable narration! The best voice on audible.

The best book about PDA

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews