Is Pathological Demand Avoidance a “meaningful subgroup” of autism?

Authors

Abstract

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a proposed Mental Disorder, from Elizabeth Newson, in the United Kingdom. While excluded from the two main diagnostic manuals, PDA has garnered much interest and controversy. While originally viewed as a new type of syndrome, a Pervasive Developmental Coding Disorder. Presently there is much focus on PDA as an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), that ignores broader discussions around how PDA should be clinically viewed. Due to arguments against doing that in favour of diagnosing PDA as an ASD. Charting the history of PDA from Newson’s research, through to how four main divergent schools of thought developed. From PDA being viewed as rebranded autism through to symptoms resulting from the interaction between autism and common co-occurring conditions. Conceptualising PDA as a common mental disorder best conforms to Newson’s opinions and research. Various empirical research supports this outlook. PDA can be diagnosed and researched independently of autism. Such an approach is needed to allow its full nature to become clear through scientific-method research.

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