PDA and Play Therapy

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) has been recognized by the United Kingdom National Autism Society as a subtype of autism spectrum disorder. While it is not widely recognized and discussed in the United States, play therapists often support children with PDA-like characteristics resulting in a need for further discussion and training opportunity

Objectives: 1.  Define Autism and PDA and be able to identify the core characteristics of both 2.  Identify the PANDA acronym and the key strategies for supporting PDA in the playroom 3. List 5 ways a play therapist can be neurodiversity-affirming in the playroom 4. Identify helpful approaches for supporting families of children with PDA characteristics. 5.  List 3-5 supportive strategies that are helpful in supporting an individual with PDA characteristics in the play therapy 6. Describe the therapeutic powers of play and what powers are activated using the recommended strategies