Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance

Overview

Join us for Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance, a 1 hour webinar presented by Karen Bearss, Ph.D., Vice President of Caregiver-Mediated Solutions at Catalight.

This session offers a comprehensive overview of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), focusing on clinical characteristics, the intersection between PDA and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and practical strategies for supporting youth with demand-avoidant traits. Participants will explore current conversations in the field, learn how to differentiate PDA from other behavioral profiles, and gain tools for applying PDA-informed, neurodiversity-affirming approaches in clinical practice.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Summarize at least three key points from current conversations about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
• List three clinical characteristics of youth with PDA.
• Specify three intervention strategies that effectively support youth with PDA.

Who Should Take This Webinar?

This webinar is designed for clinicians, therapists, educators, and professionals who work with autistic youth and their families—particularly those supporting individuals with co-occurring challenging behaviors. It’s well-suited for anyone interested in learning more about PDA and how to apply flexible, neurodiversity-affirming strategies in clinical or educational settings.

Webinar Outcomes

This webinar aims to support participants in describing current perspectives on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), recognizing key clinical characteristics, and understanding how PDA intersects with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). It also provides practical strategies for supporting PDA youth through parent-mediated interventions and applying a neurodiversity-affirming, individualized approach to care.