Key points

PDA has gained popularity among parents in the autism community, but the concept remains controversial.

What parents are calling demand avoidant is what for decades psychologists have called oppositional behavior.

Social media has popularized low-demand parenting strategies that might be harmful to children.

A parent came into my office recently seeking help for her 12-year-old son.

“I don’t know why everything with him has to be such a fight. He argues with everything I ask him to do, no matter how small. Every morning when I wake up, I have no idea what terrible thing will happen. From the minute I wake him up for school until he finally goes to sleep at night, everything in between is a living hell for our family. His brother and sister do what we ask; why can’t he? It m

See Full Page