Pathological Demand Avoidance
Pathological demand avoidance training helps your team understand PDA and recognise how it presents. They learn to adapt support so that everyday demands feel manageable. Delivered on-site by our experienced trainers.
About the course
Understand PDA and adapt everyday support
By the end of the course, delegates will:
- Understand what pathological demand avoidance is
- Know how PDA relates to autism and the wider neurodiversity picture
- Recognise the common features of a demand-avoidant profile
- Understand why anxiety drives demand avoidance
- Be able to recognise the signs of escalating anxiety
- Know how to reduce and reframe everyday demands
- Understand why conventional behaviour approaches often do not work
- Be able to build trust and offer genuine choice
What you’ll cover
Full course content
Everything the course covers, exactly as our trainers deliver it:
Understanding PDA
- What PDA Is
- PDA and autism
- How PDA was identified
- The current picture in the UK
Recognising the Profile
- Resisting everyday demands
- Social strategies to avoid
- Surface sociability
- Comfort in role play and fantasy
- Sudden changes in mood
Anxiety and the Nervous System
- Anxiety as the driver
- Fight, flight and freeze
- The cost of masking
- Recognising overload
Adapting Demands
- Reducing the number of demands
- Reframing and indirect language
- Offering real choice
- Timing and pace
Why Standard Approaches Struggle
- Rewards and consequences
- Rigid routines
- Escalating through insistence
- What to do instead
Building Trust
- Relationship first
- Collaboration and negotiation
- Allowing recovery time
- Consistency across the team
Supporting the Wider Picture
- Working with families
- School and placement support
- Recording and reviewing
- When to seek specialist advice
Keep exploring
Related specialist courses
These subjects sit naturally alongside this course — and we can combine courses into one visit.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Where is the training delivered?
All of our training is delivered on-site at your service, anywhere in the UK — we come to you, so there are no travel costs or venue hire for your team.
How long is the Pathological Demand Avoidance course?
It runs as a half day – 3 hours course, delivered in one visit unless stated otherwise.
How many delegates can attend?
Up to 15 delegates per session.
Do delegates receive a certificate?
Yes — every delegate receives a certificate on completion. Certificates are valid for 1 year, so plan refresher training before they expire.
How much does the course cost?
We price every course on application, based on your dates, location and delegate numbers. Use the contact buttons below — we reply quickly with a quote.
Can we combine courses into one visit?
Yes. Many clients build a full training day from shorter courses, and we can deliver several subjects in one visit — just tell us what your team needs.
Do you only train care providers?
No. This course suits care & nursing homes, complex home care, special schools & SEN settings, children’s complex care, hospitals & clinics, hospices. If your sector isn’t listed, ask — we’ll tailor the course to your setting.
Book this course
We bring Pathological Demand Avoidance training to your service
Delivered on-site at your service, nationwide, with pricing on application. Tell us your dates and delegate numbers and we’ll reply quickly with a quote.
Part of our specialist training range. Also explore mandatory training and clinical training.