A behavior profile within the autism spectrum characterized by an extreme avoidance of everyday demands and an anxiety-driven need to control environments and situations.
The hallmark feature of PDA is this resistance to ordinary demands, coupled with a comfort in role play or pretend scenarios, where they can take on different personas or characters—environments they perceive as having more control over.
It’s important to approach PDA with strategies different from those used for other forms of autism, focusing on negotiation, flexibility, and creating environments where the individual feels a greater sense of autonomy and control.