Supporting Children with PDA | Lynn McCann

Clare is joined by Lynn McCann, an autism, ADHD, and PDA specialist teacher to discuss supporting children with a demand avoidant profile.

Lynn has published 5 books and particularly enjoys working with young people to enable their voices to be heard in their educational support. Lynn delivers training to a wide range of settings, including schools, charities and parent groups. Lynn’s new books are called, ‘All about Autism’ and are available to buy www.routledge.co.uk In this episode, Lynn explains what Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA means) and how this might show in a child’s behaviour. She shares practical ideas to support practitioners supporting children and young people.

You can find Lynn on Facebook, Twitter (X), and on LinkedIn, and on the website, www.reachoutasc.com.

Lynn recommends the PANDA approach. More information about this can be found on the PDA Society website.

She also recommends several books on the topic of PDA:

Collaborative Approaches to Learning for Pupils with PDA by Ruth Fidler and Phil Christie

The Teacher’s Introduction to Pathological Demand Avoidance: Essential Strategies for the Classroom by Clare Truman

Lynn shares 3 tips in this episode:

Really assess what is working for a child, and do some really clear observations, without assuming you know what is going on. Talk to the child and let them communicate with you about what it’s like for them.

Have a 1,2,3 approach.

Learn some new language, how to phrase things without using demand language.

You’re listening to the Team Teach podcast. In each episode, you’ll catch Team Teach Principal Trainer, Clare Edmondson, talking with a guest about an aspect of behaviour. Find out the latest thinking in behaviour, continue your own professional development, and leave with three practical tips you can use in your setting. It’s perfect for any professional working in education and health and social care.