Practical Intervention Strategies for Pathological Demand Avoidance

Pathological Demand Avoidance is a newer diagnosis. Is this just a fancy term for students who do not want to work?How does this compare/contrast with Oppositional Defiance Disorder? All of these are questions raised by this new disorder.

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) presents significant challenges in the classroom, both in self-contained and mainstream classes. Students who exhibit symptoms of PDA disrupt the learning environment of their classmates, have difficulty gaining new skills, and create challenges for teachers and support staff who are trying to deliver lessons, and maintain order in their classes. As rehabilitation professionals, we can provide strategies to alleviate behavioral issues associated with PDA and engage children who have it to improve outcomes in treatment sessions, the classroom and at home. This course will provide an overview of the PDA diagnosis and assessment techniques that will help therapists differentiate from other diagnoses.

The content of this program is germane to children, students and clients ages 3-18 years old.

Target Audience: Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Speech-Language Pathologists

Highlights

• Diagnostic criteria for pathological demand avoidance and its impact on your therapy practice
• Effective treatment and intervention strategies suited to pathological demand avoidance
• Assessment techniques to differentiate between other similar diagnoses