Foreword by Judith Gould. Introduction. 1. Introducing Issy. 2. Friendships. 3. Playing. 4. This is my PDA. 5. How to help me. 6. School. 7. Extra support. 8. Sensory differences. 9. Meltdowns. 10. How other people can help. Recommended resources, reading and websites.
Introduce Pathological Demand Avoidance to children, friends and family, though the eyes and words of a child with PDA
Ruth Fidler is Assistant Head Teacher at Sutherland House School run by the autism charity NORSACA. She works throughout the school (aged 3-19) developing whole school approaches to working interactively with children across the autism spectrum, with a particular focus on social and emotional well being. Phil Christie is Director of Sutherland House Children's Services, run by autism charity NORSACA (www.norsaca.org.uk), and leads a team of Consultant Child Psychologists at the Elizabeth Newson Centre. The centre carries out training and research activities and has particular expertise in PDA. He is also Associate Editor of 'Good Autism Practice', and became Chair of the Advisory Council of the Autism Education Trust in 2009.
PDA is another part of the jigsaw within the autistic spectrum.
This book offers us an
"insider perspective" which enriches our understanding and
knowledge. It is full of helpful advice and practical approaches,
and I would highly recommend it to teachers, parents and all
professionals working with children with PDA, (or who, from reading
this book, realise that they are!).
*Professor Barry Carpenter, OBE, Honorary Professor in the field of
Learning Disabilities at Universities in the UK, Ireland, Germany
and Australia*
This is an invaluable resource for anyone working or living with a
child with PDA as well as an ideal book for talking to children
more about their diagnosis. Issy is a charismatic character and
many parents of children with PDA will immediately recognise her
style. It is a fantastic addition to the developing resources for
this condition.
*Margaret Duncan, GP, The PDA Society*
Ruth Fidler and Phil Christie's significant experience and
expertise in PDA is evident throughout this book. Through the
character Issy, children, parents and professional alike can
increase their understanding of the complexities experienced by
children with this condition and the strategies required to assist
these children to have a quality of life. I would highly recommend
this book.
*Dr Jacqui Ashton Smith, Executive Director of Education, National
Autistic Society*
This is a delightful book that provides both detailed and very
useful information about PDA from the perspective of 11 year old
Issy. Issy's insights are fascinating reading and will definitely
help professionals, parents and children themselves in
understanding this complex condition. Issy's feedback is very down
to earth and very believable, for example, she says "Some days it's
like I have sore feet and no shoes on. Moving forward on those days
is really hard." She tells the reader a great deal about PDA and
how to manage it within a basic narrative about her life at school
and at home. The illustrations are clear and simple, assisting in
providing a glimpse into Issy's emotional world and insights.
In addition, two very experienced and knowledgeable professionals
provide excellent insights and resources in areas such assessment
and intervention in PDA. They manage to capture their many years of
experience and insights into this complex condition in a focused
chapter which will be invaluable to all involved in working in this
area. Their focus on explaining the 'altered approach' is very
helpful, providing insights into how PDA is part of the autistic
spectrum and that this is important in managing the condition.
This is a concise and authoritative overview into understanding
PDA, a complex condition, which continues to challenge many
families and professionals.
*Dr Laura Cockburn, Specialist Psychologist and Manager, Lorna Wing
Centre, National Autistic Society*
The two authors of this book (Ruth Fidler and Phil Christie) are
authorities in the field... The majority of the book is written
from the perspective of an 11 year-old girl, Issy, who also has
PDA... There are countless clear, simple explanations throughout
this section about autism in general, the specifics of PDA, as well
as lots of examples of how it impacts Issy's daily life... As
someone who supports a child with this condition, I found it made
me see things from a new, more compassionate perspective. The
second part of the book contains information and strategies that,
in the authors' experience, can help support children with PDA...
If you have contact with someone with PDA, you really should get
hold of it.
*AuKids Magazine*
This informative little handbook is narrated by Issy, an 11 year
old girl with PDA (an autism spectrum condition). She shares with
readers what it is like to have this condition... The last part of
the book is written from an adult perspective and takes up this
topic in the section 'How other people can help'... For me, what is
particularly good about this useful resource is its positive
approach to the topic.
*Red Reading Hub blog*
A valuable resource and excellent value for money for any
educational establishment. For such a little book it is incredibly
informative and I would highly recommend it to teachers,
parents/carers and professionals as an excellent introduction to
the condition,
*Good Autism Practice (GAP)*
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