The Parents' and Professionals' Simple Guide to PDA

This book offers a clear and compassionate introduction to PDA for parents, caregivers and professionals supporting PDAers across home, school and therapeutic settings. I appreciated the way it explains PDA as a nervous-system-led experience, helping adults move beyond behaviour toward understanding stress, anxiety and the need for autonomy. The language is respectful and grounding, supporting readers to reframe interpretations without blame or judgement, creating space for curiosity and reflection in the support role.

I also valued the way the book speaks to the wider systems around a PDAer rather than placing responsibility on one person. It acknowledges the relational nature of distress and regulation, and the ways adult responses, environments and expectations can either escalate or ease difficulty. The tone remains validating of parents and professionals, recognising the emotional load they carry while offering reassurance that change is possible. This shared lens encourages collaboration and reduces the sense of isolation that can arise when PDA is misunderstood.

The explanations are clear and accessible, making the book a useful starting point for families, educators and clinicians who are learning together. While many readers will naturally adapt the ideas to suit their own contexts, the foundation offered is steady and thoughtful. The focus remains on understanding, connection and flexibility rather than control, encouraging adults to respond with patience and attunement. Overall, it is a supportive resource for those seeking to build safer relationships and more sustainable support around PDAers.

Found here: https://amzn.to/4jb1GUM

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