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Supporting Students with a Demand Avoidance Profile at Bundoora Secondary College

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Demand avoidance describes a pattern where a student persistently resists or avoids everyday requests and expectations. This response is often rooted in anxiety and can significantly impact daily routines and learning.

 

The Rise and Challenges of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)

Recently, the term Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) has become more widely discussed, especially in parenting communities and on social media. However, this grassroots popularity presents several challenges and it’s important to approach this concept thoughtfully:

 

Not an Official Diagnosis

PDA is not formally recognized in major diagnostic manuals such as the DSM-5 or ICD-11. There is a lack of robust, peer-reviewed research supporting PDA as a distinct condition. Without clear criteria, PDA may be misapplied, leading to inappropriate interventions or missing other underlying needs (such as anxiety, autism, or oppositional defiant disorder).

 

Demand Avoidance in Other Conditions

It is also commonly seen in:

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Anxiety Disorders

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

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Anecdotal Approaches

Many strategies shared online are based on personal experience rather than research, and may not always be effective.

 

The rise of low demand parenting approaches

The rise of low-demand parenting approaches—often promoted in PDA advocacy and parenting communities—has raised concerns among professionals. Some experts warn that while these approaches may reduce conflict in the short term, they can inadvertently reinforce avoidance behaviors and hinder the development of coping skills and resilience. This concern is echoed in professional commentary and autism support organizations, which note that reducing all demands may limit opportunities for growth and independence, and can make it harder for children to manage real-world expectations.

 

Commercialisation

The growth of PDA “coaches” and online resources has created a market around the label, often without clinical oversight.

 

Our Approach at Bundoora Secondary College

 

Building Quality Relationships

We prioritise strong, trusting relationships. For students who show demand avoidance, we create a safe, flexible, and respectful environment. Our goal is to reduce anxiety, offer choices, and foster trust—laying the foundation for learning and growth.

 

Consistent, Predictable Routines

We use Consistent Predictable Routines (CPRs) to help students feel safe and supported. Structured daily practices, such as Welcome Circles and clear de-escalation strategies, reduce stress and support self-regulation, focus, and a sense of belonging.

 

Reframing Instructions: “Distant Instruction”

Instead of direct commands, we use indirect, less personal ways of setting expectations. For example, rather than saying, “You need to start your work now,” we might say, “According to the schedule, it’s work time.” This approach reduces pressure and increases student autonomy.

 

Embedding Expectations in the Environment

We make expectations clear and accessible by:

• Positive Behaviour Supports: Displaying and modelling school-wide expectations such as “We are safe, respectful, responsible.”

• Environmental Tools: Using visual schedules, checklists, and timers to help students navigate their day independently.

• Neutral Authority References: Framing tasks as part of class routines or school norms, rather than personal requests from teachers.

 

Building Tolerance for Uncertainty and Autonomy

We help students gradually develop skills to cope with uncertainty and changes in routine. While reducing demands can help in the short term, our long-term goal is to support students in managing anxiety and building resilience.

 

Positive Behaviour and Logical Consequences

We celebrate small steps toward engagement and self-regulation. Consequences are natural and logical, and are directly related to the student’s actions, predictable, and consistent. This helps students understand the connection between their choices and outcomes, while maintaining a sense of agency and security.

 

Collaboration with Allied Health Professionals

We work closely with allied health professionals, especially speech pathologists, to support:

• Functional communication (e.g., asking for a break, expressing uncertainty)

• Visual supports and scripts for seeking help or negotiating

• Emotional literacy and self-awareness

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References

Kildahl, A.N., Helverschou, S.B., Rysstad, A.L., Wigaard, E., Hellerud, J.M.A., Ludvigsen, L.B. and Howlin, P. (2021) ‘Pathological demand avoidance in children and adolescents: A systematic review’, Autism, 25(8), pp. 2162–2176. doi:10.1177/13623613211034382. [theotlink.com]

 

Stuart, L., Grahame, V., Honey, E. and Freeston, M. (2019) ‘Intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety as explanatory frameworks for extreme demand avoidance in children and adolescents’, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 25(2), pp. 59–67. doi:10.1111/camh.12336. [europepmc.org]

 

How pathological demand avoidance (PDA) blew up online

Australian Psychological Society (2024) ‘How pathological demand avoidance (PDA) blew up online’, APS Insights, 19 September. Available at: https://psychology.org.au/insights/how-pathological-demand-avoidance-%28pda%29-blew-up-on (Accessed: 28 October 2025). [psychology.org.au]

 

Methods of studying pathological demand avoidance in children and adolescents: A scoping review

Haire, L., Symonds, J., Senior, J. and D’Urso, G. (2024) ‘Methods of studying pathological demand avoidance in children and adolescents: A scoping review’, Frontiers in Education, 9, Article 1230011. doi:10.3389/feduc.2024.1230011. [frontiersin.org]

 

​Intolerance of uncertainty underlies demand avoidance behaviours in children

Stuart, L., Grahame, V., Honey, E. and Freeston, M. (2019) ‘Intolerance of uncertainty underlies demand avoidance behaviours in children’, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 25(2), pp. 59–67. doi:10.1111/camh.12336. Available at: https://www.acamh.org/research-digest/intolerance-of-uncertainty-underlies-demand-avoidance-behaviours-in-children/ (Accessed: 28 October 2025). [acamh.org]

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