The Avoidant Epidemic: Navigating Pathological Demand Avoidance

In this video, I share my family's deeply personal journey with our daughter's Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and the profound impact it has had on our mental health. I open up about the daily struggles, the challenges of working with social services, and the vital importance of having a strong support network of friends. I discuss the feelings of isolation and the need for consistent intervention beyond traditional therapy, while also highlighting a positive experience with a social worker who truly listened. This video is a reminder that you are not alone and offers resources from organizations like Parental Minds and Rise.

In this deeply personal video, I share our raw and honest experience raising a daughter with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a profile on the autism spectrum. It's a journey filled with unique challenges that have profoundly impacted our family dynamics and my own mental well-being.

Join me as I open up about:

The Daily Realities of PDA: What it's truly like to live with and parent a child whose every demand is met with an innate need for control and avoidance, and how this manifests in our everyday lives.

The Mental Health Toll: The significant impact this has had on my mental health, including feelings of exhaustion, isolation, and the constant emotional rollercoaster. I'll share how I've tried to cope and the importance of self-care amidst the chaos.

Engaging with Social Services: Our experiences navigating the complex world of social services, the support we've sought, and the hurdles we've faced in getting the right help for our daughter and family.

The Lifeline of Friendship: Why talking to friends and building a strong personal support network has been absolutely crucial for my resilience as a parent. Sharing our struggles and triumphs with those who understand has been a true lifeline.

This video aims to provide a relatable perspective for other parents and caregivers facing similar challenges, to foster understanding of PDA, and to highlight the vital need for parental support systems. You are not alone.

If you're a parent of a child with PDA or suspect your child might have it, or if you're looking to understand the impact on families, this video is for you.

In Video Links
“I hit my own rock bottom moment” - Interview with guitar builder @Milehousestudios Paul Richards
   • Hitting Rock Bottom & Choosing to Rise Again  

PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) traits Explained
   • PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) traits...  
Helping Kids Overcome School Avoidance (Anxiety)
   • Helping Kids Overcome School Avoidance (An...  
🤯 Exposed: Failing Social Services: Social Worker Interview - PDA Dad UK
   • 🤯 Exposed: Failing Social Services: Social...  
Autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance and Echolalia - Understand Echolalia
   • Autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance and ...  
RISE - Child to Parent Abuse https://risemutual.org/child-to-paren...
Parental Minds https://parentalminds.org.uk/contact-us/

#PDA #PathologicalDemandAvoidance #AutismSpectrum #ParentingChallenges #MentalHealth #FamilyLife #SocialServices #ParentSupport #Neurodiversity #RealTalk

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🌈 Welcome to PDA Dad UK, your dedicated space for understanding Autism, PDA, and neurodiversities. 🌈

In this channel, we unravel not just the 'what' but the 'who' behind these conditions. While the terms Autism and PDA are commonly recognized, true understanding is often lacking, and that’s where this channel comes in.

➡️ Our mission is to fill this gap, promoting a culture of celebration, acceptance and heightened awareness. We journey through the complex realms of autism, addressing various facets such as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), ADHD, Mental Health, and more.

👪 Behind this channel is a devoted father of a wonderful daughter with Autism and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), embracing the highs and lows of neurodiverse parenting. This platform reflects my life—a fusion of personal narratives, shared experiences, and informative content.

➡️ Beyond just sharing, I hold roles that connect me deeper into this community, serving as a Carer's Ambassador for Devon Carers, an Ambassador Volunteer for DiAS, and an Ambassador for the PDA Society.
Every video is a heart-to-heart conversation, a professional insight, or a beacon of enlightenment on the nuances of neurodiversity. This channel is for those seeking knowledge, comfort in communal experiences, or engagement with a like-minded, passionate audience.

🎬 Embark on this enlightening journey with me. Subscribe and activate notifications to never miss an update! 🔔

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Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:46 - The Challenges of PDA and Mental Health
03:09 - A Positive Experience with Social Services
09:47 - Coping with Isolation and Caregiver Burnout
11:37 - The Importance of a Support Network
15:47 - Resources and Final Thoughts