Articles

How to Explain PDA to a Child — A Low-Demand Approach

How to Explain PDA to a Child — A Low-Demand Approach

How to Explain PDA to a Child — A Low-Demand ApproachSarah Middleton
Published on: 30/04/2026

How to explain PDA to a child using a low-demand, story-based approach.

Pathological Demand AvoidanceHealth ProfessionalsNeurodiversity Affirming PracticeParentingEducationTeaching
Do Rewards Work for Children With a PDA Profile?

Do Rewards Work for Children With a PDA Profile?

Do Rewards Work for Children With a PDA Profile?Sarah Middleton
Published on: 30/03/2026

Do rewards work for children with a PDA profile? This visual cycle shows what can happen internally when rewards are used.

Pathological Demand AvoidanceEducationTeaching
Rethinking Positive Behaviour Support for Neurodivergent Students

Rethinking Positive Behaviour Support for Neurodivergent Students

Rethinking Positive Behaviour Support for Neurodivergent StudentsSarah Middleton
Published on: 19/03/2026

Before schools add reward systems, neurodivergent students already carry an invisible burden. A critical look at PBS through a neurodivergent lens.

AutismADHDPathological Demand AvoidanceNeurodiversity Affirming PracticeEducationTeaching
Outbursts, Running, Refusal: Understanding PDA Behaviour Through a Nervous System Lens

Outbursts, Running, Refusal: Understanding PDA Behaviour Through a Nervous System Lens

Outbursts, Running, Refusal: Understanding PDA Behaviour Through a Nervous System LensSarah Middleton
Published on: 25/02/2026

When a student reaches a point of physical escalation, it can feel confronting — especially when safety becomes a concern for other students and staff. These are the moments that test everyone. And they’re also the moments where the lens we use matters most.

AutismLearningADHDPathological Demand Avoidance