Thread by @commaficionado

PDA in the world of neurology is an initialism standing for 'pathological demand avoidance'. It seems to be a type or subset of #autism as it shares some traits, but it is a bit of a mystery to be fair. #AutismAcceptance /1 THREAD

As it's name suggests, at the heart of PDA is a desperate wish to avoid having to do anything that could be seen as a demand. This could be rooted in fear of failure, fear of change, fear of any social situation or simply a need to be in control. #AutismAcceptance /2

But it's an interesting aspect of neuro-diversity for many reasons. Firstly, people with PDA tend to be much better at camouflaging their autistic tendencies (which they're likely to have a lot of). They can have excellent social ability, though only surface #AutismAcceptance /3

This social ability apparently often seems learned, and won't bear scrutiny too much as the social understanding isn't there. But they get by, and can use their social skills to avoid demands from others. #AutismAcceptance /4

Fascinating, isn't it? But it's very recent a concept and is not universally recognised at all. The fear of having demands placed can lead to behaviour that could be seen as manipulative, though the only real goal for the person is minimising stress #AutismAcceptance /5

These avoidance behaviours can include distraction, lying, charming, procrastinating, excuses - not a very positive list of words but remember, it's all in an effort to do no more than protect oneself from panic and fear. #AutismAcceptance /6

The fear of expectation and demand is very potent and can cause anxiety, depression and panic attacks. There is a need yo be in total control at all times - anything else is desperately frightening. By all accounts it's a very difficult condition to have. #AutismAcceptance /7

I wonder whether it's a neuro-type distinct from #autism - its own thing, if you like, or simply a particular manifestation of autism: just one way that autism can affect us depending on our personality, traits and life situation. I don't know. #AutismAcceptance /8

Other interesting aspects of PDA include the observation that many of the social skills learned may well have been picked up by copying another individual, either real or fictional. So a person with PDA could well act like their favourite TV character... #AutismAcceptance /9

It strikes me that the biggest thing about PDA is how it will suppress diagnosis and evade diagnosis simultaneously. Many #autistic people could also be PDA without knowing, and many PDA folk will not be diagnosed at all due to their surface social skills. #AutismAcceptance /10

So its quite a big deal, in my opinion, and not least because I'm concerned it may be something I'm living with. More research is definitely required. #AutismAcceptance /11