Supporting Your Demand-Sensitive Child: Strategies for Parents

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Parenting a child or teen who is sensitive to demands or pressure, or who has a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance/Pervasive Drive for Autonomy) profile means understanding that control, autonomy, and emotional safety are central needs.

Demand-sensitivity is common in neurodivergent children, particularly those with autistic traits, but ADHD characteristics can play a role, too.

What looks like avoidance or defiance is often the protective response of a highly sensitive nervous system in relation to fear, anxiety, overwhelm, or loss of agency. This can happen frequently during times of transition or boundaries.

In this guide, we share strategies that can help you create a calmer, more connected home. They can be tailored based on age and need.

Which are most helpful for your child? What would you add?

Parenting a child or teen who is sensitive to demands or pressure, or who has a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance/Pervasive Drive for Autonomy) profile means understanding that control, autonomy, and emotional safety are central needs.

Demand-sensitivity is common in neurodivergent children, particularly those with autistic traits, but ADHD characteristics can play a role, too.

What looks like avoidance or defiance is often the protective response of a highly sensitive nervous system in relation to fear, anxiety, overwhelm, or loss of agency. This can happen frequently during times of transition or boundaries.

In this guide, we share strategies that can help you create a calmer, more connected home. They can be tailored based on age and need.

Which are most helpful for your child? What would you add?