How do I find a provider who is familiar with PDA?

Because PDA is not widely known in the US, it’s not uncommon to encounter doctors or therapists who have either not heard of PDA or don’t believe it’s “a real thing.”

Parents can check out PDA North America’s website, which has a “PDA-affirming provider directory.” You can also talk to other parents and find out which clinicians they’ve found helpful.

Here are some key questions you can ask when searching for a therapist or provider aligned with a nervous-system lens, created by Richards and Stephanie Myung, a parent of a child with PDA. You can download their worksheet with the full list here.

• Are you familiar with the Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile? If so, what is your understanding?
• Have you worked with others with PDA?
• Do you consider your approach to be behavioral?
• Do you use a nervous system lens?
• What is your cancellation policy? What flexibility can you offer if my child cannot attend a scheduled session?
• Are you open to using strategies to accommodate my child’s unique nervous system, even if they do not align with specific behavioral procedures, as we prioritize nervous system regulation and trust?
• Are you familiar with “low demand/low arousal” approaches?
• Do you generally follow the child’s lead or set the agenda based on goals?
• Are you open to collaborating to create goals in a manner that accommodates my child’s unique nervous system?