Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome in Children ─ A Guide for Parents, Teachers and Other Professionals

A UK consultant child psychologist at the Elizabeth Newsom Centre (named after the researcher who first identified the syndrome), a teacher of children with autism spectrum disorder, and parents of children with pathological demand avoidance syndrome introduce PDA as a controversial subgroup on the autism spectrum. They present a brief history of PDA, defining criteria, and positive strategies for the education and management of children whose avoidance behaviors are socially manipulative. The book lists mostly UK-oriented websites and a booklist. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Phil Christie is Director of Sutherland House Children's Services, run by autism charity NORSACA (www.norsaca.org.uk), and leads a team of Consultant Child Psychologists at the Elizabeth Newson Centre. The centre carries out training and research activities and has particular expertise in PDA. He is also Associate Editor of 'Good Autism Practice', and became Chair of the Advisory Council of the Autism Education Trust in 2009. Margaret Duncan is a GP and is a parent to a child with PDA. She coordinates the PDA Contact Group (part of Contact-A-Family), an internet based group providing information and support for parents and professionals. Ruth Fidler is Assistant Head Teacher at Sutherland House School run by the autism charity NORSACA. She works throughout the school (aged 3-19) developing whole school approaches to working interactively with children across the autism spectrum, with a particular focus on social and emotional well being. Zara Healy is a parent of a child with PDA. She trained as a journalist and worked for the BBC for nearly a decade as a radio and television reporter.