PDA is currently considered a subcategory of autism (although there is active debate about whether it should be a standalone diagnosis). However, PDA kids may not present with many, or any, of the autism stereotypes. They (tend to) make (more) eye contact, appear social, and have strong expressive language capabilities as well as the ability to read the emotions of others. PDA also differs significantly from autism in the types of support needed; in fact, many approaches commonly recommended for autistic children are counterproductive or even damaging for PDA kids.

No, PDA is a neurotype, meaning it is how your child’s brain is wired. They will not “grow out of it,” but the hope is that it can become less debilitating over time with accommodation, maturity, and critical learned skills like self-awareness and self-advocacy. Realizing that your child is PDA - and responding with support and accommodation - can make a huge difference in the trajectory of their life.

Absolutely. PDAers tend to be very high masking, meaning consciously or unconsciously they often work hard to conceal their disability and try to “fit in.” It is extremely common for a child to do well at school, then come home and melt down as soon as they are with their safe person (usually the primary parent). Alternatively, some children seem “fine” at home but have challenges at school, where they have to face different demands and expectations.

No, the anxiety that a PDAer feels when faced with a loss of autonomy or equality is cumulative, so there often isn’t a clear and immediate “cause” of big behaviors. Think of it like this: They have a bucket and each demand, request and expectation they face adds a drop to the bucket. Once the bucket overflows, they become dysregulated. Until then, they may be able to comply - even if doing so adds a drop (or several drops) to the bucket (and a stressor to their sensitive nervous system).

No, there is a high correlation between ADHD, SPD, and PDA. In fact, most PDA children also have sensory sensitivities (e.g., light, touch, sound), and a 2020 study indicates that ADHD may be more closely correlated with, and a better predictor of, PDA than autism is. While there are not yet large-scale prevalence studies on PDA, a 2016 study suggested that around 30% of people with ADHD are also PDA.

No, that is actually very typical for a PDAer. Many parents describe their PDA child as being like “Jekyll and Hyde” - loving, kind and empathetic one minute, and out of control, perhaps hitting, yelling or throwing things the next. What you are actually seeing is your child in their “thinking brain” when they feel safe vs. their “survival brain” when their panic response is triggered. These meltdowns are actually panic attacks and should be viewed as such - they are NOT behavioral and not by choice. In fact, many PDA children experience deep remorse and shame after a panic attack, and it is deeply unsettling to feel out of control.

Absolutely! First of all, self-diagnosis is completely valid. If you see your experience reflected in this website, trust your instinct. And secondly, the approach and tools that I teach are helpful for any child - just particularly necessary for those with sensitive nervous systems (for any reason).

Although PDA is not rare, it is unfortunately not yet formally recognized in the DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manual)-5 or ICD (International Classification of Diseases)-11. Although awareness is growing, research and knowledge about PDA is much less well established in the United States than in other countries, like the UK and Australia. Part of the goal of Rise Parenting is to help amplify PDA voices, raise awareness, and push for additional research and recognition for this disability that affects so many.

Disability is defined by the CDC as “any condition of the body or mind that makes it more difficult for the person to do certain activities and interact with the world around them.” PDA is without doubt a disability, as it affects every aspect of a PDAer’s life, including their ability to access everyday activities, even those they enjoy and want to do.