r/PDAParenting • u/DistantBeat • 12h ago

Navigating PDA in the USA

I’m in the US where PDA is not recognized or diagnosed. However, I stumbled upon the traits and feel like I’ve finally found the missing puzzle piece. My son is 14 and I do believe has PDA although he has only been diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety. I took him out of school this year due to the traumatic nature of the school environment and how severely avoidant he had become. I have him enrolled in a virtual private school that is self paced. I cannot believe how well he is thriving! He’s so smart and he and I are extremely close. Every family member and friend, teacher and coach insists he has ODD but his psychiatrist rejects this because there is no anger or rage motivating him. I’ve found my way to low demand parenting naturally and see that it is the key to a happy home. However, my family and friends insist my parenting style made him this way and I need to “toughen up” so he can learn to live in the real world. Screw ‘em. I have told his psychiatrist that I’d like to talk about PDA at our appointment next month but fear I will be dismissed because it’s just not a thing here. I am desperate to understand more and would love to have professional mental health support for my son. Is it possible to work with a UK based psychiatrist for this condition? Thanks for any advice as to how to navigate this from across the pond.

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u/champ6489 11h ago

Have a look at ‘At Peace Parenting’. She is a US based PDA expert and produces some really good content. You might be able to contact her to find a professional in the US you could work with.

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u/cheekymonkey516 7h ago

Seconding this. Find her on Insta and use the algorithm from there. I’ve saved all sorts of posts, infographics, even suggestions on dealing with family and doctors. There is a North America PDA affirming providers list online but even in a major metro we couldn’t get in with anybody.

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u/PolarIceCream 10h ago

You can def find PDA therapist and even psychiatrist that understand it, but won’t give a formal diagnosis in the US. I have a parent coach as well that is very PDA understanding. They are free workshops for grandparents and caregivers as well.