PDA – a new type of disorder?

A few years ago there was a short exchange regarding the nature of the proposed disorder Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Clinically, PDA superficially appears similar to autism, due its having surface sociability and several anxiety-based restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests (RRBIs), which centre on obsessive demand avoidance. Persons with PDA can also have atypical language development and speech delay. Initially, Rebecca McElroy explored the possibility it is a form of Attachment Disorder. Hilary Dyer countered that we should consider if PDA is a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In my view, there is little justification for viewing PDA as an ASD profile, and a good case to view its behaviours as associated with environmental factors or trauma.