WE ROAR Magazine issue 04 - Magazine - Page 29
Opinions are divided over whether 8PDA9
is helpful, or not. Another neurotype,
some believe PDA is a specific profile of
the autistic spectrum, while others
believe it is a separate condition.
8Pathological Demand Avoidance9, by
definition, does not sit well with the
neurodiversity paradigm, more the
pathology paradigm. It may help
individuals
understand
why
they
struggle with obeying instructions or
getting on with what they are supposed
to be doing, but it can be self-limiting,
for example, someone identifying as
PDA may tell themselves they are
unemployable. I like the idea of
rebranding PDA as 8Persistent Drive for
Autonomy9.
Video ID: Charlie has long blonde hair and is looking at the camera and
talking about what being neurodivergent means. She is smiling and the
video feels friendly. Double-click the video to play or click the link here
(opens in a new tab): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akFz5yt1H6s
The role of labels is highly individual and
should be an entirely personal choice.
For example, some people find comfort
in the self-label 8introvert9. Others may
find this limiting, and therefore avoid
social occasions, possibly missing out on
something they may otherwise have
enjoyed, or like me at times, convincing
ourselves that we cannot enjoy social
occasions without getting drunk.
The Role of Self-Determination
As for person-first language versus
identity-first language, again, we should
all respect the individual9s personal
choice. This may depend on whether the
individual sees the label as an adjective
describing them, or a pathology.
Also, did they choose the label, or did it
arise from their circumstances? I reject
the 8bereaved parent9 label, as it is not
inherent to my identity, and I was not
given any choice, and I often mask this
rather than explain it to strangers.
by Piper Strange
29
