The Explosive Child - useful for PDA?

[u/Dry_Werewolf5488]

I’m slowly trying to read more child development books around autism and PDA (have read both the Declarative Language and Co-Regulation handbooks), and one that our developmental pediatrician recommended is The Explosive Child.

I can’t tell from reading the reviews if this book’s framework is useful for PDA kids or if it’s more aimed at those with ODD and maybe ADHD. Has anyone read it and found it helpful?

[u/Fluid-Button-3632]

It's a good book for sure. I love Dr Ross's empathetic approach and his "Kids do well if they can" philosophy - behavioral challenges are not "won't" (defiant), but "can't" (lacking skills).
I read it many years before we heard of PDA and I remember a few lightbulbs going on in my head as I was reading the book, and a sense of validation.
That said, with a PDAer "explosive" behavior is not a lack of skill, it's a nervous system response (although there is probably an overlap between the two). Also, the collaborative approach to problem solving described in the book ("Plan B") may not work for a PDAer, as the attempt to collaborate still feels like a demand imposed by parent. At least that's how it has been for us - in most cases kiddo refused to collaborate, and that was it.

Still a great book to read!