Pathological demand avoidance (explained by ducks) | Diploma Duck

What nobody tells you about PDA meltdowns… until you’ve lived through one 👇 They’re not tantrums. They’re not “acting out.” They’re full-body storms - the nervous system going into survival mode. What looks like anger is often panic. What sounds like shouting is often fear. And what people don’t see is what happens after: The exhaustion, the guilt, the heartbreak - for the child and the parent. I used to think I had to stop the meltdown. Now I know my job is to keep us both safe until it passes

Does your child have ADHD or Pathological Demand Avoidance? Or both? Sometimes we don’t know for sure until we engage in some trial and error with different approaches and parenting strategies. If you are using behavioral strategies or “executive functioning” supports for your ADHD child that consistently aren’t working or are making things worse, it may be an opportunity to look through the nervous system lens! 🩷 Not sure if your child is PDA? Our free 6-minute survey can help you figure it ou