Understanding the Pathological Demand Avoidance Profile of the Autism Spectrum

Understanding the Pathological Demand Avoidance Profile of the Autism Spectrum Description Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is now widely recognized as a distinct profile of autism in the United Kingdom and other countries. Individuals with a PDA profile share challenges in social communication/interaction and restricted and repetitive behaviors with others on the autism spectrum. In addition, however, PDA is characterized by high anxiety and a need to be in control. As a result, individuals with PDA can find everyday demands and requests intolerable resulting in behaviors that are challenging to others. The strategies developed to manage PDA differ from strategies considered effective for individuals with other forms of autism. This presentation will discuss PDA and focus on the interventions helpful to this population. Speaker Diane Gould LCSW, BCBA Ms. Gould is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. During her long professional career, Ms. Gould has worked for both private agencies and school systems. Ms. Gould has worked for the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization and the Niles Township District for Special Education. She has served as a consultant and been a guest lecturer for many area school districts and agencies. Ms. Gould was the Childhood Disability and Family Support Specialist for the Jewish Children’s Bureau for over a decade. Ms. Gould has expertise in autism. She served on the Professional Advisory Board of the Autism Society of Illinois for many years. She has provided training on autism and related topics to hundreds of teachers and therapists. Currently Ms. Gould has a full time private practice divided between Deerfield and Westmont, IL. In her practice, she serves children and adults with special needs and their families. As a BCBA, Ms. Gould also provides behavioral assessments and consultation to families and school districts. She also offers the PEERS program, an evidence based social skills program for teens and young adults. Ms. Gould’s education includes certification in Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn. State University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from The University of Illinois at Chicago in 1987. She has received additional training from The Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis in Los Angeles, California, The Center for Collaborative Problem Solving, Boston, Massachusetts, UCLA for PEERS certification and The Social Thinking Center, San José, California. She is a certified Grief Counselor and has recently been certified in Pathological Demand Avoidance. Recorded on December 11, 2019