{"product_id":"pathological-demand-avoidance-pda-in-early-years-online-course","title":"Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in Early Years - Online Course","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eUnderstanding, Supporting, and Reducing Anxiety-Driven Avoidance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a profile within the autism spectrum that is often misunderstood—especially in young children. In the Early Years, PDA can look like extreme resistance to everyday demands, sudden emotional outbursts, or seemingly “controlling” behaviour that is actually rooted in anxiety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis online course is designed to help \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEarly Years practitioners, educators, SENCOs, childminders, and parents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e develop a clear, compassionate understanding of PDA and learn practical strategies to support young children effectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat you’ll learn\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eWhat PDA is (and what it isn’t) in the context of Early Years development\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eHow PDA presents differently in young children compared to older children\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eThe role of anxiety, control, and nervous system responses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eHow everyday demands can trigger distress—and how to reduce them\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003ePractical, low-arousal strategies that work in nurseries, preschools, and home settings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eHow to adapt routines, language, and expectations to support regulation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eBuilding positive relationships while maintaining boundaries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eSupporting emotional wellbeing without escalating demand avoidance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWho this course is for\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eEarly Years practitioners and educators\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eSENCOs and inclusion leads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eChildminders and nursery staff\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eParents and carers of young children\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eAnyone supporting children who show extreme demand avoidance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy this course matters\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eChildren with PDA are often labelled as “defiant,” “oppositional,” or “manipulative,” particularly in the Early Years when behaviour is closely scrutinised. This course reframes those behaviours through an \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eanxiety-led lens\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, helping adults respond with empathy rather than escalation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBy understanding PDA early, adults can:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eReduce daily conflict and distress\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eCreate safer, more inclusive learning environments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eSupport emotional regulation and trust\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003ePrevent long-term misunderstandings and burnout—for children and adults alike\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eCourse format\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eFully online and self-paced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eShort, accessible modules designed for busy professionals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003ePractical examples and real-world scenarios\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003eDownloadable resources and reflection prompts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutcome\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBy the end of this course, you’ll feel more confident recognising PDA traits in young children and responding in ways that reduce anxiety, support wellbeing, and allow children to thrive—emotionally, socially, and developmentally.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early Years Training Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53470219141460,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0959\/4873\/4804\/files\/0005-5923851562663118664.png?v=1769518478","url":"https:\/\/earlyyearstraininggroup.com\/products\/pathological-demand-avoidance-pda-in-early-years-online-course","provider":"Early Years Training Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}