Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is a proposed sub-type of autism spectrum disorder.[1] Characteristics ascribed to the condition include greater refusal to do what is asked of the person, even to activities the person would normally like.[1] It is not recognized by either the DSM-5[2] or the ICD-10[3] and is unlikely to be separated out now that the umbrella diagnosis of 'ASD' has been adopted. In 2011 it was suggested that these symptoms could represent the condition oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).[4] It was proposed in 1980 by the UK child psychologist Elizabeth Newson.[5]

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is a proposed sub-type of autism spectrum disorder.^[1] Characteristics ascribed to the condition include greater refusal to do what is asked of the person, even to activities the person would normally like.^[1] It is not recognized by either the DSM-5^[2] or the ICD-10^[3] and is unlikely to be separated out now that the umbrella diagnosis of 'ASD' has been adopted. In 2011 it was suggested that these symptoms could represent the condition oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).^[4] It was proposed in 1980 by the UK child psychologist Elizabeth Newson.^[5]