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Information, Advice and sources of support for young people in Suffolk

A presentation on PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance)

My name is Riley and I am 13 years old. I made this presentation to help myself and other people understand PDA. I wanted to help other people understand me as I have struggled for so long with my brain working differently. I was hoping it could help other people also understand how they can help people like me. 

A statement from Debbie, a family support worker working with Riley.

My name is Debbie and I am a family support worker working with Riley. Whilst Riley and his family recognise that he has not been assessed or diagnosed with PDA. Riley was seeking support and some understanding for some of his challenges that impact his life daily.

Riley and his parents felt he had traits of PDA within his ASD diagnosis and wanted to understand and explore this further. We recognise a diagnosis does not change an individual, who they are, their capabilities, what they struggle with and their uniqueness.

But by using tools and strategies that can support young people to manage similar behaviours or anxieties this can help a young person unpick who they really are and that there could be a reason to their challenges.

Riley has been able to understand himself more, share his view with others, what helps, what triggers, and this ultimately has lead to him feeling supported and understood with his needs. This helps the people around Riley understand how best to support him, how to unpick his behaviours, actions and feelings, to be able to approach Riley in a way which supports him to reflect and build resilience and manage.

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