590- Don't Tell Me What to Do: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in Neurodivergent Kids

Join Alan P. Brown to understand why adults with ADHD are more likely than our neurotypical peers to struggle with poor self-image, and learn how to let go of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and procrastination to get things done. ADHD and Self Esteem: Resources Free Download: Social Anxiety Facts and Falsehoods Read: 25 Positive Affirmations That Uplift ADHD Brains Read: "What Happens When We Begin Logging Tiny Wins" Read: Self-Sabotage and ADHD: Are You Your Own Worst Enemy? Access the video and slides for podcast episode #593 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/adhd-self-esteem-perfectionism-people-pleasing/ This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/additude and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is also brought to you by Neuroclinic USA. Learn more at NeuroclinicUSA.com. Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.

Jennifer Snyder explores why ADHD makes it harder to create and maintain organization, and shares ADHD-friendly tools, science-backed strategies to reduce overwhelm, and simple systems that prioritize function over form. ADHD and Organization: Resources Free Download: Your Free Guide for Controlling Clutter Read: How to Motivate for Cleaning House When You Really Don't Want to Read: Love It, Use It, or Lose It Read: How to Declutter with an ADHD Brain: Organization Solutions for Real Life Access the video and slides for podcast episode #592 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/organized-home-adhd-clutter-shame-perfectionism/ This episode is brought to you by Neuroclinic USA. Learn more at NeuroclinicUSA.com. This episode is also brought to you by NOCD, the world's leading provider of specialized OCD treatment. Learn more at https://learn.nocd.com/ADHDExperts. Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.

Caren Magill explains why ADHD brains get stuck in the cycle of big dreams → quick burnout → self-blame, and how to shift to identity-based goals you can actually reach and sustain through micro-steps, scaffolding, and other practical tools and supports. ADHD and Goals: Resources Resource Center: A New Year Guide for ADHD Brains Download: January 2026 Calendar of Small Steps Read: How to Forge Stick-With-It-Habits Read: 40 Brilliant Neurodivergent Life Hacks Access the video and slides for podcast episode #591 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/new-year-resolution-ideas-goals-adhd/ This episode is brought to you by NOCD, the world's leading provider of specialized OCD treatment. Learn more at https://learn.nocd.com/ADHDExperts. This episode is also brought to you by Neuroclinic USA. Learn more at NeuroclinicUSA.com. Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.

Children with PDA are extremely sensitive to real or perceived demands and may make excuses, use delay tactics, or outright refuse to complete requests. Learn more about PDA from Diane Gould, LCSW, including proven behavioral strategies and supports. Pathological Demand Avoidance: Resources Free Download: Why Is My Child So Defiant? Self-Test: Is Your Child Showing Signs of Pathological Demand Avoidance? Read: When Angry Kids Lash Out: How to Defuse Explosive Reactions Read: A Parent's Guide to Navigating Pathological Demand Avoidance Access the video and slides for podcast episode #590 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/pathological-demand-avoidance-adhd-autism/ This episode is brought to you by SOAR Summer Camp. Learn more at soarnc.org. This episode is also brought to you by Neuroclinic USA. Learn more at NeuroclinicUSA.com. This episode is also brought to you by NOCD, the world's leading provider of specialized OCD treatment. Learn more at https://learn.nocd.com/ADHDExperts. Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.

Many adults with ADHD say they have trouble staying in touch, reading social cues, and managing their emotions. Amy Kempe, LPC, shares practical ways to build stronger, more rewarding relationships that feel balanced and authentic. ADHD and Friendship: Resources Free Download: Become a Small-Talk Superstar Read: How to Make Friends as an Adult with ADHD, According to Our Readers Read: How to Make Friends — and Keep Them Read: 6 Ways to Build and Sustain Healthy Relationships Access the video and slides for podcast episode #589 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/adhd-friendship-how-to-make-friends/ This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/additude and get on your way to being your best self. Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.

How does long-term ADHD medication use impact heart health? In this webinar, Samuele Cortese, M.D., Ph.D., presents the latest research on cardiovascular problems and ADHD medication use, including considerations for older adults. Heart Health and Stimulant Use: Resources Free Download: What You Need to Know About ADHD Medication Read: Change of Heart: Understanding Cardiovascular Disease in Women with ADHD Read: Who's Afraid of ADHD Stimulants? Watch: How ADHD Affects Life Expectancy Access the video and slides for podcast episode #588 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/cardiovascular-risk-adhd-medication-stimulants-heart-health/ Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.

Sharon Saline, Psy.D., helps parents understand how to talk with our kids about ADHD in a supportive, empowering way; establish boundaries and protect their self-esteem; and help them navigate unfair treatment from family members, teachers, and peers. Explaining ADHD: Resources Free Download: Questions to Get Your Child Talking Read: How to Explain ADHD in Positive, Empowering Terms Read: Your Emotionally Reactive Child Needs Empathy — Not Punishment Read: How to Invest In Your Child's "Emotional Bank Account" Access the video and slides for podcast episode #587 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/how-to-explain-adhd-to-a-child/ This episode is brought to you by NOCD, the world's leading provider of specialized OCD treatment. Learn more at https://learn.nocd.com/ADHDExperts. Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.

Research shows that a body in motion engages a diverse network of brain regions. Movement, and dance in particular, improves mood, focus, emotional regulation, social connections, and decreases social anxiety and depression. Learn more from Julia C. Basso, Ph.D., including simple routines you can do at home. Movement and the Neurodivergent Brain: Resources Free Download: Your Free Guide to Music for Focus Read: The Activities That Activate Neurodivergent Brains Read: Build Your Muscles, Build Your Brain Read: Say Yes to Yoga for Kids with ADHD Access the video and slides for podcast episode #586 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/movement-music-yoga-for-autism-adhd/ This episode is brought to you by NOCD, the world's leading provider of specialized OCD treatment. Learn more at https://learn.nocd.com/ADHDExperts. Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.

ADHD makes it harder to get things done and to meet others' expectations — but at what point is the stress not worth it? Ari Tuckman, Psy.D., MBA, discusses how you can decide which tasks to take on while avoiding people-pleasing and burnout. Productivity Solutions: Resources Free Download: 19 Ways to Meet Deadlines and Get Stuff Done Read: Self-Sabotage and ADHD: Are You Your Own Worst Enemy? Read: Why ADHD Self-Awareness Is the Key to Effective Action, Change, and Progress for Each of Us Read: Feeling Guilty for Not Being Productive? Drop ADHD Shame to See Real Change Access the video and slides for podcast episode #585 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/social-costs-and-solutions-to-productivity-struggles/ Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.

Members of the ADHD Club are wildly creative, passionate people who think differently. Join Penn and Kim Holderness to learn how to help kids recognize the awesomeness in ADHD, identify their strengths, and approach ADHD-related challenges with resilience. Resources: Building Confidence in Kids Free Download: 19 Questions That Build ADHD Metacognition Skills Read: How to Invest in Your Child's "Emotional Bank Account" Read: "I Feel Like a Loser!" How to Build Self-Confidence in Teens with ADHD  Read: The ADHD Soul Shine Kit: Build Your Child's Self Esteem Access the video and slides for podcast episode #584 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/holderness-family-how-to-build-confidence-in-kids/ This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/additude and get on your way to being your best self. Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.