Nelle Frances

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a neurobiological profile seen in some autistic children. These children experience extreme threat when they feel pressured, controlled or expected to comply. This is not a choice or attitude issue. It is a fight-or-flight (autonomic) nervous system reaction to loss of autonomy. Why PDA Behaviours Happen When your child feels: · Told what to do · Corrected or disciplined · Judged or controlled · Observed or evaluated · ...

Autistic children often don’t recognise they’re starving until it’s extreme !

Autistic people often experience the world — and relationships — differently. Social interaction is not simply a skill to be learned; it’s shaped by sensory processing, communication styles, nervous system regulation and the way meaning is interpreted. Social rules such as small talk, turn-taking in conversation or reading facial expressions are not always intuitive. This doesn’t mean autistic people don’t want friendships or relationships. Rather, connection may occur in ways that differ...