A blog post from Sunshine Support advocate Kerri Pearce…
40 years after PDA was first recognised and here in the UK, children still cannot get a formal diagnosis. While none of us are seeking to label our children, being unable to attain a piece of paper which clearly states that this is the difficulty they have makes it even harder to secure the support that they need. So, why isn’t PDA being formally recognised?
In the run-up to our webinar on 28 January with author and education consultant Laura Kerbey – which will look at parenting and PDA – we’ve been delving into the history books to try to understand how we have got to where we are today.
If you want to book onto Laura’s webinar, then all the details are here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/970333703227
The history of Pathological Demand Avoidance

PDA was first identified in the 1980s by Professor Elizabeth Newson, a child psychologist who observed distinct patterns of behaviour in some children that didn’t fit typical presentations of autism. She described PDA as a profile where individuals display:
- Extreme avoidance of everyday demands.
- Social strategies for avoidance, such as distraction or making excuses.
- Excessive mood swings.
- A need to control situations.
Newson’s work led to the term “Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome,” and she advocated for its inclusion within the autism spectrum. Her research resonated with parents and professionals who recognised these traits in children who struggled in mainstream autism support frameworks. However, PDA has not been formally recognised as a distinct diagnosis within the UK’s diagnostic manuals.
Why you can’t get a PDA diagnosis
In the UK PDA is not recognised as a standalone condition which means that you cannot get a diagnosis of it. Many people find their children will be diagnosed as either ‘autism with demand avoidance’ or perhaps ‘autism with a PDA profile’.
There are a couple of key reasons why doctors in the UK cannot diagnose PDA. These are:
Lack of consensus – While some clinicians will recognise PDA as a distinct profile there are others who view it more as a part of autism or as an anxiety-driven behaviour pattern. Over the years this lack of agreement on definition and the criteria for a diagnosis has mean that it’s not been included in the diagnostic manuals.
It’s not in the diagnostic manuals – In the UK the two most widely used diagnostic manuals are the DSM-5 and ICD-11, both of which do not list PDA as a separate condition and without it being in there, clinicians cannot diagnose it.
A complex presentation
PDA is very complex and many people feel that without being able to secure a diagnosis, they don’t then get the very specific support strategies which are needed to help a PDA child.
On this infographic you can get more of an understanding of that complexity by seeing the very wide spectrum of demands which can cause difficulty for a PDA child…

Help and support
If you are struggling with understanding PDA and how to help your child then know that you are not alone. Our webinars about PDA always have high numbers coming along because it is something which is so hard to fully understand.
Our next webinar on 28th January will see author and education consultant Laura Kerbey talk to us about:
- The key characteristics of PDA – looking at the unique features of PDA and what distinguishes it from other conditions.
- Anxiety and PDA – we’ll learn about the crucial role anxiety plays in PDA and how it drives behaviour.
- Effective communication and support strategies – you’ll be given practical tips for communicating with and supporting individuals with PDA.
- Managing meltdowns and crises – helping you to understand how to provide support during times of intense stress or crisis.
- Impact on learning – we’ll explore the effects of PDA on learning and how to create supportive educational environments.
To come along and join us, get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/970333703227
Kerri Pearce is a Sunshine Support Legal Advisor (non-practising solicitor) and has been with us since August 2024. Prior to that she was a teacher and SENCo working in mainstream and special schools for around 8 years which came about following a career change from being a practising litigation solicitor. This change came about after the birth of her child who was born with an extremely rare genetical condition and an array of special educational needs. Kerri’s specialisms are supporting parents with Education, Health and Care Plan Applications, EHCP Annual Reviews, collaboration meetings with schools, mediations, tribunal appeals, complaints, Pre-Action Protocol Judicial Review letters and DLA / PIP applications.