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Does your child push back on even the smallest requests? Do transitions, boundaries, or unexpected changes trigger a response that feels completely out of proportion? For children with demand sensitivity — including those with a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance / Pervasive Drive for Autonomy) profile — what looks like defiance is often something quite different.
Demand sensitivity is common in neurodivergent children, particularly those with autistic traits, though ADHD can play a role too. At its heart, it's the protective response of a highly sensitive nervous system responding to fear, anxiety, or loss of control. Understanding that changes everything about how you respond.
This guide offers practical strategies for creating a calmer, more connected home — approaches that can be tailored to your child's age and individual profile, and that prioritise safety and autonomy rather than compliance.
If you enjoy this resource, you may find The Neurodivergent Parent Space helpful. Members receive unlimited access to this and every other parent resource on this page (and more), alongside live webinars, practical tools, an emotional regulation course and a supportive neuroaffirmative community. Learn more →
Does your child push back on even the smallest requests? Do transitions, boundaries, or unexpected changes trigger a response that feels completely out of proportion? For children with demand sensitivity — including those with a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance / Pervasive Drive for Autonomy) profile — what looks like defiance is often something quite different.
Demand sensitivity is common in neurodivergent children, particularly those with autistic traits, though ADHD can play a role too. At its heart, it's the protective response of a highly sensitive nervous system responding to fear, anxiety, or loss of control. Understanding that changes everything about how you respond.
This guide offers practical strategies for creating a calmer, more connected home — approaches that can be tailored to your child's age and individual profile, and that prioritise safety and autonomy rather than compliance.
If you enjoy this resource, you may find The Neurodivergent Parent Space helpful. Members receive unlimited access to this and every other parent resource on this page (and more), alongside live webinars, practical tools, an emotional regulation course and a supportive neuroaffirmative community. Learn more →
