The Kids' Simple Guide to PDA and The Parents' and Professionals' Simple Guide to PDA - two great new books about PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) to add to the literature pile!
Both books are written by Laura Kerbey and illustrated by Eliza Fricker. Laura is the co-founder of PAST (Positive Assessments Support and Training) and Kite Therapeutic Learning, and Eliza is an illustrator and Sunday Times bestselling author of The Family Experience of PDA and Can't Not Won't (check out my reviews of those books by tapping on the title links).
The Kids' Simple Guide to PDA offers a gentle and engaging introduction to Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), and is designed especially for children. It provides answers to a question I am often asked - 'how to help siblings?'. It helps children begin to understand what PDA is and how it might affect their friends, brothers, sisters, or other family members who experience it. By presenting the topic in a calm and reassuring way, it provides a safe starting point for children to learn about something that can sometimes feel confusing or difficult to talk about.
The explanations throughout are simple, clear, and written in a child-friendly, age-appropriate style. This makes the information easy to follow, even for younger readers, while also encouraging them to think more deeply as they grow. Children are invited to explore how PDA can show up in everyday life and how it might make certain situations harder or easier for the people they care about.
Along the way, the book highlights different ways children can support their siblings or peers who have PDA. These practical ideas give readers the tools they need to show kindness, patience, and understanding. It also encourages children to reflect on how they themselves might feel or act in similar circumstances, helping them build empathy and stronger relationships.
In addition, the book creates opportunities for children to pause and consider their own needs. It reminds readers that looking after themselves - staying safe, comfortable, and happy - is just as important as supporting others. This balance helps children gain a more complete picture of what it means to live alongside PDA, thinking about both the challenges and the positives.
With helpful illustrations scattered throughout, the book keeps learning light-hearted and engaging. The pictures are great for children not keen on blocks of text, providing clear visual examples that strengthen the written explanations. This is an ideal resource for introducing the basics of PDA to children, showing both the good bits and the tricky bits in a way that is easy to understand and remember.
The Parents' and Professionals' Simple Guide to PDA is a short yet informative introductory guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance, written especially for parents, extended family members, and professionals who are supporting a PDA child. It is designed to be both welcoming and accessible, ensuring that readers who may be unfamiliar with the topic feel comfortable as they begin to learn more. Engaging illustrations run throughout the book, helping to break up the information and provide a visual element that makes the material easier to follow and more enjoyable to read.
Clear explanations of the basics of PDA and how it can present in different children can be found in the book. It outlines the unique ways PDA may show itself in daily life, from situations at home to challenges in school or social settings. These explanations are written in a straightforward manner, so that even those new to the subject can quickly grasp what PDA means and why it is important to understand.
Alongside these explanations, the guide also offers practical advice on how best to support the needs of a PDA child. The suggestions focus on approaches that are realistic and manageable for parents, family members, and professionals alike. By following these strategies, readers will be able to provide more effective and compassionate support, which in turn can help the child feel safer, more understood, and better equipped to thrive in different environments.
There are eight short chapters: What is PDA?, Anxiety of the PDA kind, How to support a PDAer, Doing things differently, Supporting the family and yourself, Supporting the individual and family in times of crisis, PDA and Education and Preparing to work with PDAers.
What makes this book especially approachable is that it does not overwhelm readers with complex science, heavy psychology, or technical language. I feel it is a positive and useful companion for anyone who wants to understand PDA in a down-to-earth way. Parents may find reassurance in its friendly tone, while family members and professionals can appreciate the clear guidance and practical examples provided.
For those who may be short on time, such as busy parents, teachers, therapists, or healthcare workers, the book is structured in a way that allows for flexibility. Laura suggests that chapters one, two, three, and eight can be read as a condensed version, offering the most essential information in a shorter format. Whether read in full or in part, this guide serves as a valuable starting point for building knowledge and confidence when supporting a child with PDA.
Laura and Eliza have previously worked together with Jessica Kingsley Publishers to produce The Educator's Experience of Pathological Demand Avoidance and The Teen's Guide to PDA (reviews of those also available on my blog website).
As someone who struggled to find time to read books when my children were young, and knowing how short on time most education staff are, I love that these are short and succinct books which get all the main information and helpful approaches across in a nutshell.
The Kids' Simple Guide to PDA and The Parents' and Professionals' Simple Guide to PDA out now from all good bookstores and of course, Amazon!
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