PDA Society Podcast

Content warning This episode includes discussion of suicidal thoughts. In particular, there is a brief section between 6:50 and 7:10 that listeners may wish to approach with care. Please listen in a way that feels safe and supportive for you. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, is a severe form of PMS that causes significant emotional and physical symptoms during the 1-2 weeks before menstruation. Sy...

In this episode, the PDA Society begins a clear and accessible exploration of PANS and PANDAS, conditions that can cause sudden and significant changes in a child or young person’s behaviour, emotional wellbeing and functioning. Although not linked with PDA, some of the presenting characteristics can be similar, making diagnosis and treatment difficult. The conversation focuses on what PANS and PA...

In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society speaks with Julia Daunt, an adult PDAer, author and trainer, about the experience and meaning of distressed behaviours. Drawing on her personal insight and professional experience, Julia explains what distressed behaviours look and feel like from the inside. She discusses the difference between being in control and feeling overwhelmed, and how anxiety,...

In this episode, PDA Society CEO Ed speaks with Suzanne McManus, an editorial leader and creative professional, who joins the podcast to share her personal experience as the parent of a PDA child. Suzanne reflects on the steep learning curve of parenting when traditional approaches don’t fit, and how she had to unlearn familiar ideas about authority, control and compliance. She discusses the shift...

In this episode, Rachel and guest Julia Daunt begin an open and thoughtful conversation about puberty and PDA, exploring how hormonal, physical and emotional changes can intensify anxiety and demand sensitivity during this stage of development. The discussion looks at how puberty can affect PDA profiles in ways that are often misunderstood or overlooked. Listeners are guided through common challen...

In this episode, host Rachel is joined by Jenni Honeyben , a parenting coach with specialist experience in supporting families of PDA children. Together, they explore the idea of highly sensitive nervous systems - a trait particularly relevant to PDAers. Jenni shares how heightened sensitivity affects children’s ability to cope with everyday demands, why safety and regulation are so important, and...

In this episode, PDA Society CEO Ed speaks with Clare Truman, educator, author and PhD researcher, about the experiences of PDA learners for whom school feels overwhelming or impossible. Drawing on her extensive background in mainstream and specialist education, Clare shares compassionate, evidence-informed insights into why traditional school settings can be so challenging for PDA children and yo...

In this ep, CEO Ed Archer sits down with Beth Silcox , a qualified counsellor and specialist in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) advice. With experience spanning therapeutic counselling, education, and family advocacy, Beth brings a powerful mix of professional knowledge and lived experience as a parent of neurodivergent children. Together, Ed and Beth explore the real-world challen...

As a special bonus episode for the festive period, the PDA Society invites you to join us for 10 minutes to pause, rest and relax with our guided ten-minute meditation. We’ve also be released an episode on Relaxation and Breathwork all our podcast platforms, as well as a Soundbath episode from Forgotten Forest, available for free to subscribers on our website. You can find more details here: PDA P...

As a special bonus episode for the festive period, Dawn from Milestone Coaching joins us on the podcast to talk through relaxation and breathwork techniques to help you when times are stressful. We’ll also be releasing a ten-minute body scan meditation session on all our podcast platforms, as well as a Soundbath episode from Forgotten Forest, available for free to subscribers on our website. You c...

In this episode, Rachel and Sarah from the PDA Society begins a timely conversation about Christmas, and how the build-up can feel exciting, intense, and sometimes overwhelming for PDA children, young people, and their families. We explore why this season can bring extra demands, changes in routine, sensory overload and social expectations, all of which can increase anxiety for PDAers. We’ll talk...

In this episode, PDA Society’s Rachel speaks with Paula Webb, the parent of an adult PDAer, about what happens when PDA goes unrecognised through childhood and beyond. Together they explore how the lack of understanding and support in earlier years can have lasting effects on both the individual and their family.  Through honest and heartfelt conversation, Paula shares their family’s journey...

In this episode, we hear from Dr Rachel Worthington , a forensic psychologist, chartered scientist and senior lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University. Rachel has spent years working with autistic people in forensic settings and recently led two ground breaking studies into the experiences of autistic people with a PDA profile within the criminal justice system. Rachel shares why she carried...

In this episode, our host, Rachel, speaks with Matt, a PDA adult working for the police, about navigating life and work through the lens of Pathological Demand Avoidance. From recognising his PDA traits later in life to finding strategies that make a demanding job sustainable, Matt shares what it’s really like balancing public service with a neurodivergent profile. With honesty, humour and insight...

In this episode, PDA Society CEO Ed speaks with H Arlo-Harris – teacher, trainer and PDA adult – about what life is really like when you’re PDA. From discovering PDA through a word cloud on our website, to navigating internal demands, sensory overwhelm and social communication, H takes us beyond labels and into lived experience. With warmth, humour and clarity, H shares how PDA impacts their daily...

Podcast Show Notes – Managing PDA in a mainstream classroom In this episode, host Rachel talks with guest speaker Kelly Evans about the challenges PDA children face in mainstream education. We explore why schools can be overwhelming, the importance of trust, how strong links between families and schools make a difference, and what adjustments can help PDA learners feel safe and supported. Kelly sh...

In this episode, Rachel Crutcher shares her experience of parenting a PDA child and how she has developed resilience along the way. We explore what resilience means, some of the research behind it, and the qualities that help it grow over time. Rachel talks about how she copes during particularly difficult moments, and how she has stayed resilient while navigating her child’s journey through healt...

Welcome to the PDA Society’s podcast, where we explore all things PDA to help make life easier for PDAers, their families, and everyone affected by demand avoidance. Research suggests PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) is a profile of autism, meaning individuals share similar strengths and challenges. A key feature of PDA is extreme demand avoidance -finding it hard or impossible to complete ever...