Welcome to my downside up life! My name is Ariana and I have something called Pathological Demand Avoidance which is a form of autism. Most people just think I'm naughty and misbehaved, but I want to show you why that's not true by telling you about what my life is like from inside my head. Come join me in understanding why I feel like I have to be in control all the time and why it's just not as simple as doing as I am told.
About the Authors
Harry Thompson is an Autistic PDA adult, he is the author of PDA Paradox, a public speaker, autistic educator, PDA ambassador, consultant & self-advocate. His audiences receive invaluable insights into neurodivergent experience, often delivered with controversial humour & brutal honesty. He is currently based in Kent.
Danielle Jata-Hall is a parent of a PDA daughter, she is also a blog writer at www.pdaparenting.com. She has worked in education supporting many children with SEND and has run a support group for other parents. She is a public speaker, PDA advocate and an online campaigner. With the support of her local MP, Danielle has succeeded in tabling an early day motion to get the PDA profile more nationally recognised.
Industry Reviews
This is a book that takes you on a journey into another world - the world of PDA. It is a topsy turvy world. A world where the expected quickly turns into the unexpected. A scary, unpredictable place, where senses are skewed, where the reasonable is often unreasonable, where the illogical can seem logical. A visitor to such a world may feel bewildered and confused, but the journey is so compelling that you become captivated. You meet a character who is clever, witty, exciting, creative and powerful. However, if you look deeper, you will experience the fear, the anguish and the misery of having to live every day in such a world, and you will become unbelievably moved. -- K.I. Al-Ghani - University Lecturer in Autism & international author of books on ASD
A brilliant insight into the mind of the PDA child and a unique and engaging guidebook for those who need to understand it. ie everybody! -- Melanie Sykes Broadcaster and editor in chief of The Frank Magazine
This brilliant quirky story highlights an inner PDA 'world'. It increases our understanding, fights stigma and shows what works. For Autistic PDAers little legitimate 'inside out' explanations, exist. So, read this book many, many times. Once you get 'us' it will revolutionise your understanding! -- Dr. Wenn B. Lawson (PhD)
Drawing from their lived experience and professional work with PDAers, the authors have produced a clever, insightful, honest and entertaining glimpse into the mind of a child with Pathological Demand Avoidance. For preteen PDAers, reading this book will be an opportunity to see elements of themselves represented on the page, helping them see that someone understands them and that they are not alone, and giving them a tool they can use to explain their experiences to others and advocate for their needs. For parents and professionals, this book is essential reading to gain better insight and understanding of the PDAers in their lives. Highly Recommended. -- Raelene Dundon, Autistic Educational & Developmental Psychologist and Author, MPsych(Ed&Dev), MChildPlayTherapy
This book captures the truly brilliant, creative and unique minds of a PDAer, laugh-out-loud funny, whilst heart wrenchingly sad at almost seconds apart, which 100% encapsulates the true essence and ever-changing emotions of our wonderful kids! -- Jodie Isitt, author of children's books on autism
