The Insider Guide to PDA is the first ever PDA textbook written by #actuallyPDA people who have spent years helping support other PDA people!

The material is also available as a ten-module course comprising pre-recorded videos followed by live Q&As.

Because we are PDA ourselves, we are able to explain this little-understood condition with a clarity that cannot be gained through studying theory alone.

We're also trained in social therapeutic disciplines. Brook has a masters in human services and Sally is a qualified person-centered counselor. 

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"This guide is essential for anyone who wants to move beyond outdated, behavior-based interpretations of PDA. It fills a crucial gap by revealing the nervous-system roots of PDA and offering an affirming, relationship-centered path toward safety, connection, and growth."

Chris Wenger, a.k.a. Speech Dude, neurodiversity-affirming speech-language pathologist

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“It was a privilege to read The Insider's Guide to PDA by Sally Cat and Brook Madera. They are both such talented individuals and leaders in the PDA community.”

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PDA finally explained in simple, practical terms

"As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a late-diagnosed PDAer, and a mom to PDA kiddos, I’d like to give this book a HUGE standing ovation!


"PDA families have a high need for support and validation that we rarely receive due to how misunderstood our experiences are. This book is a beautiful, straight forward and timely exploration of PDA that honors our community, guides professionals, and can educate our loved ones with the hope of facilitating neurotype affirming community and care for us all."

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Many families learning about PDA—pathological demand avoidance—come from a place of distress. Often, their children have been run through every kind of public support that is available, including through the education system, and they are terrified to see their children getting worse.

All PDA is hidden because, no matter how freely it's expressed, its inner drivers are invisible to observers.

We'll take away the guesswork so you can finally make sense of PDA behavior and heal family discord!

"Brook’s and Sally Cat’s Insider Guide is easy to understand and accessible to readers of all backgrounds – one of my favorite types of resources! It provides important content, while also sharing personal experiences where you may find familiarity, and always in a voice that is easy to imagine speaking to you directly in a comfortable, intimate setting."

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When PDA isn’t openly expressed, there is even less likelihood of it being recognized. Especially since the individual PDA person isn’t being overtly disruptive.

When avoidance is "pathological"

When we can no longer quietly avoid what our brain is telling us to, adrenaline and cortisol surge through us to put us into defense mode. Whether our reaction is to go into meltdown, run away, or tailspin in a semi-catatonic state, to observers our reaction seems disproportionate to the trigger.

The sustained, but invisible impact that everyday demands have on PDA people.

More from Linda K Murphy

If you are new to PDA, this guide will offer you a thorough understanding of PDA – the challenges across the lifespan, how to tease out what is PDA versus what is not, what you can do that will be immediately helpful, and more. 

And, if you are already familiar with PDA, this guide will undoubtedly expand your knowledge by exploring the nooks and crannies of topics and questions you didn’t yet know you had and serve as a handy guide to refer to by topic on an as-needed basis. I know I will have a few copies ready on my bookshelf as specific questions arise for myself, my colleagues, and my clients of all ages.