Pathological Demand Avoidance vs Pervasive Desire for Autonomy
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There’s an interesting discussion happening within the psychological community. It revolves around the issue of autonomy and independence vs. the demands of authority figures. I wondered why this is a thing. Why would a pervasive desire for autonomy have been pathologized over time and not seen as a strength in Western society?
Social conformity and obedience to authority are highly valued in Western culture. Autonomy goes against prevailing social norms.
Schools and workplaces emphasize compliance and rule-following. Autonomous thinking threatens established power structures.
Medical and psychological fields have historically applied a deficit model to anything deviating from the norm. Difference is deemed disordered.
Parenting approaches favor obedience and discipline over independence. Autonomous children are seen as problems.
Western notion of personhood values individuality and self-sufficiency, but within parameters of social expectations. Extreme autonomy violates unspoken rules.
Patriarchal aspects of Western society reward dominance, control, and paternalism. Autonomy challenges authority.
Consumer culture equates contentment with conformity and standard lifestyles. Autonomy implies rejecting what society values.
Scientific reductionism seeks categorical explanations. Autonomy appears confusing when forced into existing constructs.
In essence, extreme autonomy defies the status quo. By pathologizing it, society neutralizes the threat to established norms. Appreciating the strengths of such autonomy requires accepting diversity and new social paradigms.
The drive for autonomy and independent thinking observed in many autistic individuals aligns with the Solitary Forager Hypothesis of autism proposed by USC’s Jared Reser. As I note in my book, No Place for Autism?, this theory suggests autism traits were advantageous for ancestral hunter-gatherers who needed to exploit new environments and think creatively to survive. From this lens, the innate desire for autonomy in some autistic people reflects an adaptive cognitive style suited to innovation, not pathology. Rather than viewing extreme demand avoidance as disordered, we can understand it as an expression of abilities that do not fit societal norms. Fostering autonomy skills and appreciating the strengths of autistic free-thinkers allows their talents to benefit society. Adjusting environments to accommodate autonomous tendencies enables autistic individuals to thrive while being true to their nature.
Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is a behavioural profile, not a diagnosis or diagnostic criteria, that is characterized by an extreme resistance to demands and expectations placed on an individual by other people. Those with PDA have a compulsive need to be in control and can become extremely anxious or distressed when others attempt to impose demands on them. This leads to avoidance strategies such as refusal, argumentativeness, withdrawal, or distraction. Whilst originally thought to occur predominantly in individuals on the autism spectrum, PDA traits can also occur in people without an autism diagnosis. Individuals with PDA do not fit neatly into existing diagnostic categories, so there is debate around whether it should be a separate diagnosis or an additional dimension of existing diagnoses like autism.
Seen from a different lens, a pervasive desire for autonomy (source 1) (source 2) is an innate drive for independence of thought and action, free from external control or demands. This hardwired tendency enables original thinking, creativity, and discovery as the individual follows their own compass. People with a strong autonomy orientation feel most fully themselves when self-directing their pursuits and decisions. They thrive when given agency to structure their own lives. Their need for freedom of choice propels them to question norms, pioneer change, and stand up for liberties. An autonomous stance also fosters resourcefulness and self-reliance. Rather than viewing extreme demand avoidance as disordered, we can understand it as intense independence - nonconformity rather than deficiency. When afforded the space to exert autonomy, these free-thinking individuals bring innovation, expand knowledge frontiers, and remake rules.
Viewing PDA in a more positive light acknowledges the strengths and abilities that come with this profile. Labelling any human variation as disordered or defective reinforces stigma. It also disempowers the individual to recognise their own talents. Reframing PDA traits like autonomy-seeking and willfulness as persistence and individuality fosters self-esteem. Traits that deviate from norms have long enabled human societies to progress through innovation. We need diversity of minds and behaviours to solve problems and uplift humanity. Environments and supports should be adjusted to enable people with PDA profiles to put their unconventional skills to use, rather than forcing conformity. Using affirmative language validates their human value and helps others see their potential more clearly. Most importantly, positive terms convey deep acceptance so that those with PDA can embrace themselves fully.
The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a subscriber.
Pathological Demand Avoidance vs Pervasive Desire for Autonomy
Pathological Demand Avoidance vs Pervasive Desire for Autonomy
Pathological Demand Avoidance vs Pervasive Desire for Autonomy
There’s an interesting discussion happening within the psychological community. It revolves around the issue of autonomy and independence vs. the demands of authority figures. I wondered why this is a thing. Why would a pervasive desire for autonomy have been pathologized over time and not seen as a strength in Western society?
Social conformity and obedience to authority are highly valued in Western culture. Autonomy goes against prevailing social norms.
Schools and workplaces emphasize compliance and rule-following. Autonomous thinking threatens established power structures.
Medical and psychological fields have historically applied a deficit model to anything deviating from the norm. Difference is deemed disordered.
Parenting approaches favor obedience and discipline over independence. Autonomous children are seen as problems.
Western notion of personhood values individuality and self-sufficiency, but within parameters of social expectations. Extreme autonomy violates unspoken rules.
Patriarchal aspects of Western society reward dominance, control, and paternalism. Autonomy challenges authority.
Consumer culture equates contentment with conformity and standard lifestyles. Autonomy implies rejecting what society values.
Scientific reductionism seeks categorical explanations. Autonomy appears confusing when forced into existing constructs.
In essence, extreme autonomy defies the status quo. By pathologizing it, society neutralizes the threat to established norms. Appreciating the strengths of such autonomy requires accepting diversity and new social paradigms.
The drive for autonomy and independent thinking observed in many autistic individuals aligns with the Solitary Forager Hypothesis of autism proposed by USC’s Jared Reser. As I note in my book, No Place for Autism?, this theory suggests autism traits were advantageous for ancestral hunter-gatherers who needed to exploit new environments and think creatively to survive. From this lens, the innate desire for autonomy in some autistic people reflects an adaptive cognitive style suited to innovation, not pathology. Rather than viewing extreme demand avoidance as disordered, we can understand it as an expression of abilities that do not fit societal norms. Fostering autonomy skills and appreciating the strengths of autistic free-thinkers allows their talents to benefit society. Adjusting environments to accommodate autonomous tendencies enables autistic individuals to thrive while being true to their nature.
Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is a behavioural profile, not a diagnosis or diagnostic criteria, that is characterized by an extreme resistance to demands and expectations placed on an individual by other people. Those with PDA have a compulsive need to be in control and can become extremely anxious or distressed when others attempt to impose demands on them. This leads to avoidance strategies such as refusal, argumentativeness, withdrawal, or distraction. Whilst originally thought to occur predominantly in individuals on the autism spectrum, PDA traits can also occur in people without an autism diagnosis. Individuals with PDA do not fit neatly into existing diagnostic categories, so there is debate around whether it should be a separate diagnosis or an additional dimension of existing diagnoses like autism.
Seen from a different lens, a pervasive desire for autonomy (source 1) (source 2) is an innate drive for independence of thought and action, free from external control or demands. This hardwired tendency enables original thinking, creativity, and discovery as the individual follows their own compass. People with a strong autonomy orientation feel most fully themselves when self-directing their pursuits and decisions. They thrive when given agency to structure their own lives. Their need for freedom of choice propels them to question norms, pioneer change, and stand up for liberties. An autonomous stance also fosters resourcefulness and self-reliance. Rather than viewing extreme demand avoidance as disordered, we can understand it as intense independence - nonconformity rather than deficiency. When afforded the space to exert autonomy, these free-thinking individuals bring innovation, expand knowledge frontiers, and remake rules.
Viewing PDA in a more positive light acknowledges the strengths and abilities that come with this profile. Labelling any human variation as disordered or defective reinforces stigma. It also disempowers the individual to recognise their own talents. Reframing PDA traits like autonomy-seeking and willfulness as persistence and individuality fosters self-esteem. Traits that deviate from norms have long enabled human societies to progress through innovation. We need diversity of minds and behaviours to solve problems and uplift humanity. Environments and supports should be adjusted to enable people with PDA profiles to put their unconventional skills to use, rather than forcing conformity. Using affirmative language validates their human value and helps others see their potential more clearly. Most importantly, positive terms convey deep acceptance so that those with PDA can embrace themselves fully.
The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a subscriber.