School Refusal

PDA, or Pathological Demand Avoidance

By: Yiing Tan, Registered Psychologist PDA, or Pathological Demand Avoidance, is a profile often associated with autism that is characterized by an intense need for autonomy and a strong resistance to everyday demands. While the name remains debated, many people within the neurodivergent community describe PDA as a nervous system response rather than oppositional behavior. … Read more

Navigating School Refusal/Avoidance: Understanding the Causes and What You Can Do

By: Natasha Binns, Clinical Psychology Registrar If your child is struggling to attend school, you are not alone. School refusal affects around 1–5% of children in Australia and has only increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. But what exactly is school refusal, and what can help your child? What is School Refusal/School Avoidance? School refusal is … Read more