Me and My PDA: A Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance for Young People

by Gloria Dura-Vila, Tamar Levi (Illustrations)

This beautifully illustrated guide helps young people with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) to understand their diagnosis, develop self-awareness and implement their own personalised problem-solving strategies. Written in consultation with young people with PDA and their families, this book recognises the importance of handing control back to the young person, and that there is no one-size-fits-all PDA profile. Readers are encouraged to engage throughout with interactive writing, doodling and checklist exercises to explore their own particular characteristics, strengths and challenges. Me and My PDA is sensitively tailored to the needs and experiences of young people (aged 10+) with PDA. The guide is designed to grow with the reader, and can be used for many years as the young person develops and changes - making it invaluable to PDA-diagnosed individuals and their families.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

144 pages, Hardcover

Published November 21, 2018

Reviews

[sweet orange books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never heard of Pathological Demand Avoidance before reading this book. Glòria Durà-Vilà and Tamar Levi did a wonderful job at explaining it and at creating a workbook that is useful for the child and for their caregivers. The book is long (144 pages) but not too dense, and it is not meant to be finished at once. There is room on every page to answer a question with checkbox, or to allow the child to draw their own answer.

The book starts with an open letter to the child with PDA, who is asked to become a teacher, so that their caregivers can understand better what it feels to have PDA. The book goes on exploring the symptoms, the solutions, and the resources available whether at home or at school. The book ends with a personal summary of what everyone came up with to help the child in every overwhelming situation.

I can recommend "Me and My PDA" to any family with children who suffer from anxiety, social stress, and pathological demand avoidance.

Thank you NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Read and reviewed: 2018-11-13

[Cynthia Ayyad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must have been out of my mind to think my PDA child would actually do the exercises. The moment the book arrived… arguments, melt downs, his the book. Better luck getting your PDA child to fill out the exercises.
2 stars for the author’s desire to help.
Down 3 stars for thinking a child with demand avoidance would actually cooperate.

[Annette Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great workbook for young people who have been diagnosed with PDA.

[Jodie Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is perfect, just what any child growing up with PDA needs in their corner. Bright and informative which really talks to the child and helps the child speak to their adults. I will be buying this for my daughter on publication and look forwards to working through it somewhat together.

[NellieTests · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the parent of a spectrum child, the quest for books that will help without hindering or scaring is ongoing and, although not applicable to my child, I'd love to be able to find something in a similar vein that was. It's cheery, informative and aimed perfectly at the child without being patronising.

Highly recommended.

With thanks to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.