PDA individuals share autistic characteristics in addition to PDA characteristics that make up the PDA profile. The main characteristic of PDA is to avoid everyday demands & expectations to an extreme extent. The root of PDA is anxiety. The feeling of control helps to soothe the anxiety. The more autonomy they have the less their overall anxiety level will be. Think of it as "Pervasive Drive for Autonomy".

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a sub-type of autism, described as an anxietydriven need for control. Individuals with PDA resist the everyday demands of life. Their brains are wired to perceive demands as a threat which triggers extreme anxiety.

A Guide to Understanding, Developing, and Applying Reasonable Accommodations for Autistic People (A project of the autistic community)

A workshop presentation applying the concept of 'flow states' to autistic ways of perceiving and being in the world, particularly in regard to reframing what are often described as 'restrictive' behaviours and interests.

This printable PDF allows the person / parent / professional to identify the Executive Function skills that are difficult, as well as a summary section to write your own dysregulation triggers, and regulation strategies.

Bonus content: If you would like somewhere to note your thoughts and reflections in reading through the Welcome Pack, the Workbook is a fillable PDF that collects together the reflection prompts within the Welcome Pack for you to complete.

Recognising the existing gap in post-diagnostic support for people diagnosed in adulthood, Reframing Autism has facilitated the development of a community-designed “Welcome Pack.” Our Welcome Pack has been collaboratively developed by our Intersectional Advisory Committee – a diverse group of Autistic adults, ensuring a wide range of perspectives from within the Autistic community. The Welcome Pack has been developed through a neuro-affirming lens, where Autism is seen as a difference rather than a deficit. Our Welcome Pack is a resource, designed to welcome newly diagnosed Autistic individuals to our community following the diagnostic process. This resource will also provide informative and reflective support to newly diagnosed Autistic adults in their everyday lives. The topics were selected in collaboration with and created by the co-design group and are based on initial research on the post-diagnostic support needs of newly diagnosed Autistic adults (e.g. Crowson et al., 2022; Wilson et al., 2023). Our Welcome Pack is a resource that targets the large disparity existing for Autistic individuals diagnosed in adulthood, due to the limited support available for this cohort. As part of this gap, co-design outputs like this one that capture the perspectives of adults are critical. We are delighted that this Welcome Pack will be used by Aspect clinicians to support Autistic adults following their diagnosis. In partnership with Aspect, the Welcome Pack will be evaluated to ensure it is relevant for our community into the future.