ASD to PDA.....why the shift?

[lougle]

For ages on here, we would have threads saying 'I think it's ASD' . Suddenly, there is an influx of 'is it PDA' ....why the shift?

Thank you for this thread OP ...I need to read it through properly but things are ringing bells with me ....

I am in the process of doing a DLA for DS 3 ...taking me ages to actually decide if his behavior is "ok" or not....but to cut it short

Hypertonia..hypermobility...DGD...and I am really scared to tell him off as I know the situation will get worse and violent.Comm pead has mentioned ADD (very passive child unless you see him at home ?)..

I need to look into this PDA a bit more

Loads more to say but do not want to hijack your thread ..

But thank you for making me aware of this

Rubbish post I know ...I think I am rabbiting now

bizzey I would say 'hijack away' but it sounds like you could do with your own thread. Why don't you start one? We'd all love to listen and give our experiences.

If you're new to MN, you just need to click 'Start new thread in this topic' and it'll be ready to go

Thank you Hot head for replying .....should I be looking at PDD or PDA or are they the same ??

popgoes that was the Newson centre's original proposition (related to but different from autism) but I think they are less stuck on that position now, and more willing to view PDA as a particular manifestation of the autism spectrum. I think of it as one of 'the autisms'...haven't yet seen a pda kid who wasn't on the autism spectrum, but maybe one day I'll meet one and think again :)

I second that ilikemysleep
After extensive reading online about PDA (which I think fits my dd), I can only say that it seems to be a presentation of ASD. I thought my dd was on the spectrum, but I didn't think she would get a dx because she is sociable and likes role play and fantasy, which is where PDA comes in, but she still has other ASD issues.

I can't remember who posted it on here but I too like the 'autism spectrum- demand avoidance presentation'
It makes it clearer as to what it is that is going on with dd.

With the question of op about the shift. (considering some see it as separate conditions)
I think the more people talk about PDA the more likely people are to see it in their child. I started with ASD for dd but after another mn mum messaged me and mentioned PDA, it seems to fit better. With out that mn mum I wouldn't have heard of PDA.

Sorry everyone, my post wasn't very well written. I'll try to clarify what I meant!
Poltergoose, I meant dyspraxia etc were all pervasive developmental disorders. Also, I didn't mean to imply 'refrigerator mothers' are part of the issue here. There has to be an impact on every child of environment (even down to birth order, economic status of parents, and thousands of other factors outside of anyone's control) but I am not blaming parents. I know all too well that my own parenting has produced, according to her teachers, a responsible, sensible, mature, kind and caring dd, but the same parenting has produced an explosive, aggressive, uncooperative, and angry ds who has no empathy at all (although he does have many amazing, positive qualities too).
The point I was (not at all clearly) trying to make was that the difficulty lies in using the appropriate management strategy for a child with ASD issues would be 'mismanaging' a child with PDA and vice versa.
I have been told repeatedly by the ed psych that ds is definitely, certainly not ASD (she keeps ignoring whenever I bring up PDA). Comm paed seems to agree and wrote in referral letter to CAMHS that ds does not fit ASD. Dh and I are 100% convinced he fits the PDA diagnostic criteria entirely and school agree completely, so much so that they are referring us to the Elizabeth Newson Centre for assessment.

popgoes I agree with you WRT the 'handling' of children with PDA and ASD needing to be very different. I think that goes for any adults who have anything to do with the child, not just parents.

After my DS was excluded from his local mainstream school (who followed the 'Our way or the Highway' school of discipline ), I was referred to the ASD team so that they could determine whether or not to give him a place in the ASD resourced provision in the authority. When they assessed him, they decided that they didn't want him either- they felt that he would totally disrupt the work being done for the other children in the 'unit', because he was so distruptive and faught against any attempt to structure his day.

In the end, we found a mainstream that was willing to use the techniques suggested by the Elizabeth Newson Centre, and they have been quite successful using these techniques. WHen he is taught by strong, calm people who are clear in their expectations and refuse to be manipulated by DS, he is able to take part and to learn quite well.

Unfortunately, this placement is fast breaking down due to the SENCO who had set everything up for him to go there leaving at Christmas, and his 1-1 leaving at the same time. He is now floundering, with a very 'weak' 1-1 who has twice bought him presents if he promises to 'be a good boy', I am currrently considering my options since the first time she did this, I rang the HT and explained exactly why I though this was a very bad idea indeed. The 1-1 did it again last week . DS is spending more and more of his time at school in meltdown, and hiding under the stairs. He tells me about incidents that are not recorded, and they used Team Teach to restrain him before half term, which they haven't needed for 18 months. He hasn't played out all half term because the 1-1 asks him if he wants to go out, and he says 'no', so he stays in and plays on the computer instead .

It really is down to the strength and abilities of the individuals when it comes to children who have PDA traits. With my DS, you can't show a tiny crack in your armour, or he will be in there and he'll have his own way. IMO, the current 1-1 is frightened of him, as his meltdowns can be very extreme and sudden. She has found that is she gives him his own way, she doesn't have to be subjected to his extreme demand avoidance techniques! The story upthread about the teenager who hits his mum reminds me of the relationship this 1-1 is building with my DS