So, what is PDA anyway?
Both a type of avoidance & a neurotype (Originally published on the PDA Insiders website ) PDA—Pathological Demand Avoidance—can be confusing because the same term is used to describe both a pattern of avoidance and a full neurotype (brain type). The neurotype involves many more traits than demand avoidance alone, which is why misunderstandings often arise. Because PDA is the name of a neurotype, people sometimes use the acronym as a noun (pronounced “pee-dee-ay”) or as an adjective, much like “autistic.” For instance, someone might describe themselves as a “PDA person.” Isn't "pathological" a dirty word? While some people dislike the term because “pathological” is traditionally linked to illness, many PDA individuals feel it best captures the intensity and involuntary nature of their avoidance. Much like the disability community reclaimed the term “disabled,” some PDA pe...