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23-year-old woman with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) may face unique challenges in adulthood, particularly in areas like work, relationships, independence, and self-care. Since PDA is a profile of autism, traditional autism support strategies may not always work.
Challenges She May Face:
🔹 Employment & Education – Struggles with structured environments, deadlines, and authority figures. May do better with flexible, self-directed work.
🔹 Daily Life & Self-Care – Routine tasks (e.g., cooking, cleaning, appointments) may feel overwhelming and trigger avoidance.
🔹 Relationships – Socially capable but may struggle with deeper emotional connections, conflicts, or feeling misunderstood.
🔹 Mental Health – Higher risk of anxiety, depression, and burnout due to masking and demand avoidance.
🔹 Executive Functioning – Issues with planning, prioritizing, and initiating tasks, often linked to ADHD (which frequently coexists with PDA).
Helpful Strategies for a PDA Adult:
✅ Low-Demand Environment – Reduce pressure by allowing autonomy and flexibility in daily routines.
✅ Choice-Based Approach – Instead of direct instructions, offer options or frame things as suggestions.
✅ Energy Accounting – Balance activities with recovery time to prevent overwhelm.
✅ Interest-Based Motivation – Connect tasks to personal interests to increase engagement.
✅ Supportive Work/Study Setup – Remote work, self-employment, or flexible study options may be best.
✅ Emotional Validation – Recognize and validate feelings rather than pushing compliance.
✅ Therapy & Coaching – A PDA-aware therapist or coach can help with emotional regulation and life skills.
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