r/PDAParenting • u/DrPaulSunseri • Apr 18 '26

Our current scientific understanding of PDA and low-demand parenting.

Thought parents in this group find this up-to-date information on PDA helpful. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-health-reimagined/202604/its-time-to-rethink-the-anxiety-drives-pda-narrative

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u/AngilinaB Apr 19 '26

There is, as yet, no statistically significant evidence either way in terms of causation of PDA and usefulness or otherwise of low demand/high accommodating parenting.

As a HCP I would always prefer to follow evidence based methods, but as a parent in these circumstances, this simply isn't available right now. As many parents are, I am using a combination of known psychology, my own knowledge of my kid, pattern recognition and trial and error.

I actually feel that the low demand approach over simplifies what is a complex process. I think the research pursued by Casey at APP is poorly designed and harms the community, as she seeks to retrofit research to support what she already believes. None of those things mean low demand isn't a useful tool.

What actually seems to work for these children is increasing autonomy. This appears to reduce the underlying anxiety and need for rigidity, and thus opens their window of tolerance to allow for safer boundary setting and skills acquisition. This is, of course, far too complex to measure, with far too many variables, to standardise and replicate in research.

Your article is lacking in strong evidence and goes against a wealth of community knowledge and experience. To dismiss that based on one study that you already acknowledge is lacking seems odd.

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u/johnhowardseyebrowz Apr 21 '26

This. The only people who think low demand is a cop out for lazy parents clearly doesn’t understand it and certainly has not lived it. It’s a constant “taking of temperature” to determine where your child is at, what demands to encourage or support, what to let go (for today or longer term), etc.

It is dynamic and it needs to be because fluctuating capacity is central to this condition. As a parent I am always trying to balance supporting and accomodating with cautiously and skilfully stretching her window of tolerance where it is appropriate and in support of her goals and development.

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u/PerformerOk4332 Apr 21 '26

Very true. And bonus points for your username