Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy is a profile in the autism spectrum that is still very little known, especially in Europe. PDA is characterized by a survival drive for autonomy, control and equality, which can even override other survival instincts.

Whenever a person in the PDA profile loses their autonomy, control or equal treatment, or only has the feeling of losing it, their nervous system registers an existential threat and switches to survival mode. His body reacts with Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fawn behavior. This can be triggered by any kind of demand, both explicit demands such as "Put your shoes on!" and implicit ones, such as the knowledge that you cannot leave the house without shoes. Furthermore, the influence of a higher power ("It's raining and I'm getting wet") or physical sensations ("I have to go to the toilet") can also feel like a loss of control.

The individual activations of the nervous system accumulate over the course of a day, but also over weeks, months and years. If the PDAler's individual tolerance window is exceeded, a meltdown occurs. If this happens repeatedly and there is no adequate support and CO regulation, it can lead to autistic burnout, in which essential everyday activities such as eating, sleeping or hygiene are no longer possible.

Traditional parenting methods that are based on a very clear hierarchical divide and work with rigid boundaries as well as rewards, consequences or even punishments do not work with children in the PDA profile. On the contrary: sooner or later, children who are raised traditionally end up in burnout. Depending on the definition, however, a responsive, needs-oriented upbringing can also be problematic. In an effort to find out what their child's needs are, many needs-oriented parents rely on questions and questioning. However, questions are also additional demands and if they are also asked "unasked", it can feel like a loss of control.

However, responsive parenting can also be successful with children in the PDA profile - or rather, according to current findings, it is the best way to support these children in an attentive manner. It is important to recognize and take into account the primary need for autonomy, control and equality. The result is also known as "low-demand parenting" - a parenting style in which, among other things, demands are reduced to an absolute minimum in order to activate the child's nervous system as little as possible.