Thread by @Richard_Autism

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 Good question. Depends on which interpretation of PDA, what time in the literature & who you ask...

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 The PDA literature acknowledges in 4 different places manipulative behaviour in PDA makes it problematic viewing PDA as an ASD. Some who view PDA to be a form of autism argue PDA behaviour is "social strategic"...

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 While adopting an extremely narrow view of what PDA is, they are arguing that the "manipulative behaviours" are scripted and from a limited range of behaviours that are responding to anxiety. These behaviours lack the sophistication seen with callous traits.

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 Although, I disagree for many reasons. For one, PDA is blatantly not autism (I can go into great detail why). PDA is seen in non-autistic persons. Most PDA tools, including important ones view PDA social demand avoidance as being manipulative in nature.

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 Also one key author arguing that such behaviours are "socially strategic" was arguing they were manipulative for several years, before changing it to "socially strategic" based on poor quality circular research.

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 There is essentially no good quality research to say PDA social demand avoidance behaviours are "socially strategic".

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 Also, most PDA predicted populations are based on Newson's descriptions which view PDA to be manipulative in nature, so no point changing that view. Otherwise you are testing "PDA is an ASD" interpretation, and not the actual prediction been made by persons.

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 Also, PDA was not theorised to have Theory of Mind of issues & this is supported by at least one study.

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 It is argued the social demand avoidance is manipulative, due to the lengths, effort and how much time persons with PDA go to to avoid demands/ requests of them. It is arguably their defining feature (one many who know would say applies to me).

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 Most/ all PDA tools contain items that refer to a person doing actions because they want to do it. Most tools contain items that require a person to have intent to commit the behaviour, such as harrasment.

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 Also, some argue "socially strategic" is kinder & more empathetic than manipulative. Yet, said persons refuse to change PDA's name, while often expressing dislike with "Pathological Demand Avoidance" name!

Who has a need to control whom? @milton_damian

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 @milton_damian Oh also, examples of social demand avoidance behaviours in literature are actually sophisticated in nature, like manipulating games/ situations etc.

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 @milton_damian I think this is all the reasons for "socially strategic" vs "socially manipulative", off the top of my head.

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 @milton_damian For the record, this includes one author expressing "Pathological" descriptor as unhelpful/ derogatory. Another author not naming PDA in a questionnaire booklet to prevent PDA's name putting off potential participants.

https://twitter.com/Richard_Autism/status/1395457627761545218

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 @milton_damian @threadreaderapp unroll please?

Thank you in advance.

@Dmdav1 @KristenBott @Allison66746425 @milton_damian @threadreaderapp I am wondering if the debate over "strategic"/ "manipulative" is an arbitrary line in the sand, that both descriptors can be applicable to PDA social demand avoidance.

@threadreaderapp please unroll?