The Family Experience of PDA: An Illustrated Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance

“The Family Experience of PDA” is perfect for families who are seeking to understand and support children who are highly anxious and sensitive to demands. Eliza emphasises the need for curiosity, flexibility, collaboration, and positive relationships. The fun illustrations and personal anecdotes, along with the concise nature of each chapter, make the book really accessible. The topics will resonate with the lived experiences of many parents and carers. Eliza’s writing also offers reassurance after months or years of attempting more traditional parenting strategies. It’s significant that one of the final chapters notes how long it can take for these children to feel safe and supported, and how important it is for parents and carers to look after themselves in the long-term.

I enjoyed the book thoroughly, great tips absolute love and acceptance of child demonstration all throughout connection in relationships vital.

Reading this book today was one of the most emotional moments of my life. Suddenly, we are not alone.It is like Eliza has been stood in my house watching our daily life. Recently I had been considering the fact that my daughter could be a PDA child but after reading this I am 100% sure. Many tears have been shed today, and a weight has been lifted.This book is amazing. Easy to read and understand. The illustrations are wonderful. I will definitely be sharing it with anyone that spends time with us as a family.It also gave me hope, and reassured me that I am doing okay. There were so many of the strategies that Eliza uses in the book that we have already discovered ourselves. This gave me a much needed boost of confidence too.

Thank you for this amazing book. Easy to read and the reassurance I needed. It was like reading about our family. It has some great tips for parents caring for children with PDA.

I thought the book was well written for all families to access. It was reassuring to hear similar struggles in other households with a pda child. But, it was a very quick read- only took me about half an hour. It would be good for grandparents etc to give them a quick overview without overwhelming them. Don't think it is worth £12.99 though!

Eliza’s illustrations are amazing. They brings a light hearted touch to the sometimes frustrating process of working out how to parent a child with PDA, and any parent who has been there will laugh out loud in recognition. The book speaks directly to parents, is respectful of children and is honest yet never negative about the delicate dance which develops between parent and child. I particularly liked the section on socks and on sensory overload - the illustrations bring it to life in a way words just can’t alone.

I purchased this book as my 10YO daughter who is already ADHD diagnosised is being put back on the ASD pathway. During a meeting someone mentioned PDA to me. I'd not heard of it, but got this book to learn. And wow. It's as if someone followed us for a few years, changed the depiction to a boy (as the drawings in the book are mostly a boy) changed the odd detail, but then wrote a book about our conversations. Literally word for word the examples in the book are conversations we have daily. This has given me so much comfort that my daughter in fact does have PDA and has equipt me with the best ways to deal with her struggles on a day to day basis. But also knowing what it is, and WHY!!THANK YOU. This book is am absolute game changer!!! For any parent considering it, buy this book now - you won't regret it.

This book is exactly what it says it is and it is full of lived experience. It is a quick read full of funny illustrations and I will revisit it again and again especially when I have been on the receiving end of unsoloicited "advice" about how I am parenting my PDA daughter wrong. If you are after a heavy read on PDA that is full of references and psychology this will not be for you but if you are a parent of a PDAer who has those ever so regular moments in your day where you are about to tear your hear out or you are doubting yourself this book is an absolute go to book.