Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is a tendency for autistic individuals to struggle when overwhelmed by demands. On the outside, it can look like defiance or choosing not to do necessary things. On ...

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is an extreme resistance to everyday demands, such as getting dressed or brushing the teeth. Researchers often associate PDA with autism, especially in children.

This story is from The Pulse, a weekly health and science podcast. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Stella, 4, is smart, funny and has a lot of energy. Her verbal ...