Introduce Pathological Demand Avoidance to children, friends and family, though the eyes and words of a child with PDA

Meet Issy – an 11-year-old girl with pathological demand avoidance syndrome (PDA), a condition on the autism spectrum. Issy invites readers to learn about PDA from her perspective, helping them to understand how simple, everyday demands can cause her great anxiety and stress. Issy tells readers about all the ways she can be helped and supported by those around her.

This illustrated book is for readers aged 7 and upwards, and will be an excellent way to increase understanding about PDA in the classroom or at home. It also includes practical tips and recommended resources for parents and professionals.

"The two authors of this book (Ruth Fidler and Phil Christie) are authorities in the field... The majority of the book is written from the perspective of an 11 year-old girl, Issy, who also has PDA... There are countless clear, simple explanations throughout this section about autism in general, the specifics of PDA, as well as lots of examples of how it impacts Issy's daily life... As someone who supports a child with this condition, I found it made me see things from a new, more compassionate perspective. The second part of the book contains information and strategies that, in the authors' experience, can help support children with PDA... If you have contact with someone with PDA, you really should get hold of it." - AuKids Magazine

"This informative little handbook is narrated by Issy, an 11 year old girl with PDA (an autism spectrum condition). She shares with readers what it is like to have this condition... The last part of the book is written from an adult perspective and takes up this topic in the section 'How other people can help'... For me, what is particularly good about this useful resource is its positive approach to the topic." - Red Reading Hub blog