Methodological Studies

Reality or Illusion? A Scientific Focused Examination of Pathological Expectation Avoidance, or PDA, Based on Domestic Literature

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2025-12-22
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Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Vida Gergő, Dabrowsky Ádám

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Vida, G., & Dabrowsky, Á. (2025). Reality or Illusion? A Scientific Focused Examination of Pathological Expectation Avoidance, or PDA, Based on Domestic Literature. Special Treatment - Interdisciplinary Journal, 11(4), 187-194. https://doi.org/10.18458/KB.2025.4.187
Abstract

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a behavioural pattern that, based on available descriptions, can manifest itself in extreme, anxiety-ridden resistance to expectations and oppositional behaviour. In terms of its described "symptoms," it may overlap with many areas of autism spectrum disorder, which is why it became the focus of our study, as PDA is not part of the official diagnostic systems (DSM-5, ICD-11) and is therefore often confused with other disorders, primarily autism, oppositional defiant disorder, or ADHD, and its indiscriminate use can be particularly misleading. This kind of confusion or potential misinterpretation not only causes diagnostic problems but can also hinder the development of appropriate educational and therapeutic interventions for those affected. Based on the principles of inclusive education, every student has the right to support tailored to their individual needs. However, PDA currently falls outside the categories of special education and psychological care, so children are believed to be affected, and their families are often marginalised or may not receive adequate diagnosis-based intervention until later. This study argues that a scientific approach to PDA, its recognition and interpretation, is not only an ethical issue but can also be understood from the perspective of fairness, pedagogical flexibility, and social inclusion. Based on our findings, it can be argued that the "diagnosis" of PDA should be the subject of scientific research. The aim of this study is to analyse the findings of available sources to determine what we can understand by PDA and how it can be considered as a separate behavioural profile type.