Really interesting piece! I felt resistance to the dichotomy between PDAers and “classic autists,” since the “classic” stereotypes around Autistic people are so very bad. But from the overall tone of your writing I suspect you would agree with that. :)
Perhaps my question is then, what do you mean by “classic autists”? Because I feel like as a community we are only just starting to be able to explore and define our own experiences and to lay out what is Autistic culture.
I absolutely agree with this and I also don’t love the language, even though I’m the one that wrote it, haha.
By “classic” autists, I really just mean autistic folks who personally relate to the wider autistic community but not the PDA community/PDA traits. I thought about using “non-PDA autistic” but I feel weird making a relationship (or lack thereof) to PDA the center of everyone’s identity, even in an article about PDA. I am absolutely open to suggestions on more inclusive language!
Your reflection on the debate around PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) raises crucial points about the intersection of race, diagnosis, and representation that merit deeper consideration.
Labeling critics of PDA, many of whom are BIPOC creators, as dismissive and aggressive unintentionally perpetuates damaging stereotypes about racialized individuals being hostile or violent. This not only overlooks the valid critiques these people bring to the conversation but also reinforces harmful narratives.
Additionally, the absence of a discussion on race and intersectionality in the discourse around PDA is a significant oversight, particularly given the disparities in how diagnostic labels are applied. The majority of individuals who identify with PDA are white, while diagnoses like Oppositional Defiant Disorder are disproportionately assigned to black and brown children. This discrepancy highlights systemic biases in diagnostic practices and the need for a more inclusive and critical approach to understanding behavioral disorders.
Furthermore, the representation of PDA in media and social platforms predominantly features articulate, white autistic females, which does not reflect the broader autism community. This skewed representation can affect public perception and the support structures available to those who do not fit this profile but still struggle with similar issues.
Addressing these concerns in the discourse around PDA is essential not only for accuracy but also for the fairness and inclusivity of all individuals affected by such diagnoses.
Thanks for this thought-provoking piece. The debates around PDA are definitely complex, and you’ve done a great job of laying out the different perspectives without dismissing any of them. I appreciate how you highlighted both the value and the risks of seeking scientific validation for marginalized identities. Your balanced approach to such a controversial topic is refreshing, especially in a landscape where opinions tend to be polarized. It’s clear that this conversation is far from over, but your insight adds a lot of clarity to the ongoing discussion.
Really interesting piece! I felt resistance to the dichotomy between PDAers and “classic autists,” since the “classic” stereotypes around Autistic people are so very bad. But from the overall tone of your writing I suspect you would agree with that. :)
Perhaps my question is then, what do you mean by “classic autists”? Because I feel like as a community we are only just starting to be able to explore and define our own experiences and to lay out what is Autistic culture.
I absolutely agree with this and I also don’t love the language, even though I’m the one that wrote it, haha.
By “classic” autists, I really just mean autistic folks who personally relate to the wider autistic community but not the PDA community/PDA traits. I thought about using “non-PDA autistic” but I feel weird making a relationship (or lack thereof) to PDA the center of everyone’s identity, even in an article about PDA. I am absolutely open to suggestions on more inclusive language!
Great article! I've written before about how PDA is very real in our house (and there was no trauma to pin it on)....
Your reflection on the debate around PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) raises crucial points about the intersection of race, diagnosis, and representation that merit deeper consideration.
Labeling critics of PDA, many of whom are BIPOC creators, as dismissive and aggressive unintentionally perpetuates damaging stereotypes about racialized individuals being hostile or violent. This not only overlooks the valid critiques these people bring to the conversation but also reinforces harmful narratives.
Additionally, the absence of a discussion on race and intersectionality in the discourse around PDA is a significant oversight, particularly given the disparities in how diagnostic labels are applied. The majority of individuals who identify with PDA are white, while diagnoses like Oppositional Defiant Disorder are disproportionately assigned to black and brown children. This discrepancy highlights systemic biases in diagnostic practices and the need for a more inclusive and critical approach to understanding behavioral disorders.
Furthermore, the representation of PDA in media and social platforms predominantly features articulate, white autistic females, which does not reflect the broader autism community. This skewed representation can affect public perception and the support structures available to those who do not fit this profile but still struggle with similar issues.
Addressing these concerns in the discourse around PDA is essential not only for accuracy but also for the fairness and inclusivity of all individuals affected by such diagnoses.
Thanks for this thought-provoking piece. The debates around PDA are definitely complex, and you’ve done a great job of laying out the different perspectives without dismissing any of them. I appreciate how you highlighted both the value and the risks of seeking scientific validation for marginalized identities. Your balanced approach to such a controversial topic is refreshing, especially in a landscape where opinions tend to be polarized. It’s clear that this conversation is far from over, but your insight adds a lot of clarity to the ongoing discussion.