The Teacher’s Introduction To Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) by Clare Truman

Intended Audience: Educator, therapists, or school staff members   Written By a Neurodivergent: No, the author is a parent of a neurodivergent child Audio Companion Available: No Neuro Affirming Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK If you’re a teacher juggling tight schedules and a busy classroom, this book is the quick, practical guide you’ve been looking for. A Teacher’s Introduction to PDA distills the complex artistic profile into easy-to-implement strategies for supporting students with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). It’s designed with teachers in mind—no overwhelming jargon:  just real, actionable steps. 

Why should you read it? Because it helps you move from traditional, often deficit-based approaches, to more flexible, compassionate methods that actually work with PDA students. Instead of feeling frustrated by what seems like defiance, this book helps you understand the root of the behavior and gives you the tools to manage it in a way that benefits everyone in the classroom.

You’ll learn how to:

• Avoid rigid demands that can trigger resistance.

• Present tasks as collaborative problem-solving.

• Build trust through honesty and humor.

• Balance routine with novelty to keep students engaged.
  

The goal? A more inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming classroom where all students, especially those with PDA, can thrive.

ABOUT THE READER

Elisabeth Anderson is a neuro affirming neurodivergent school psychologist with 10 years of public service and is the owner of Connected Family Practice. She is also the Director of Assessment for The ABLE Center.  Elisabeth has been recognized by families, colleagues, and school administrators for her leadership and knowledge as a policy writer, consultant and trainer. Elisabeth’s insights have made her a sought after internship supervisor.  Elisabeth believes that families should be able to find the supports they need both during and after the identification process to build greater understanding of neurodivergent brains, their needs, and potential support options. 

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Elisabeth’s Neuro Affirming Likert Rating Scale

⭐️: The resource contains language or content that perpetuates stereotypes, stigma, or misinformation about neurodiversity. It fails to use respectful and inclusive terminology, and may even promote harmful attitudes towards neurodiverse individuals.

⭐️⭐️: The resource makes some attempts at inclusivity, but still falls short in using affirming language and portraying neurodiversity in a positive light. It may contain instances of language or content that could be perceived as insensitive or exclusionary.

⭐️⭐️⭐️: The resource generally demonstrates a decent level of neurodiversity affirming language and content. It makes efforts to use respectful terminology and accurately portrays neurodiverse experiences, although there may still be room for improvement in certain areas.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: The resource consistently uses affirming language and content to depict neurodiversity in a positive and respectful manner. It actively challenges stereotypes and promotes understanding and acceptance of neurodiverse individuals and communities.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: The resource excels in its use of neurodiversity affirming language and content. It goes above and beyond to accurately represent the diverse experiences of neurodiverse individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. It serves as a valuable resource for promoting inclusivity and understanding in both neurodiverse and neurotypical audiences.