I found this really interesting. My son has PDA and we are always learning more and more about him as he ages and is able to communicate. It's hard understanding how he will function as an adult because he doesn't do well in school. School is so full of demands. He typically spends the day with a one on one and does his own schedule.

The other big thing we see is he clings to a certain friend at school and we noticed it is a pattern to ease his anxiety. He doesn't understand it and can't communicate clearly. It's definitely a challenge raising a child that has PDA.

You also mention kids hiding pain. My son is the opposite and injuries and illness causes heightened anxiety. To the point he wants to go to the emergency for a cut.

I found the fawn and flop very interesting as I've not heard about that before. There was a lot of new information mixed with old. And while some was not accurate for my child, it's a spectrum so I understand how it can be different for everyone. I imagine this could be continually expanded as more information is learned.

There was also a lot of information about different theories and a lot of information I found interesting.

A lot was relatable as we don't have proper diagnosis in the USA for PDA, we have been told it is ODD. But we had proper testing for autism and he did signify he most likely had PDA. So I mean there is always the chance he doesn't. So with that all in mind, I do think it is worth reading and learning about PDA. I wish more people took the time to learn. This book is so valuable for those who don't know what PDA is. Our school staff has learned over the last couple of years to best support our child and I think this would be helpful for them too.

This was a very informative book, interesting too and made me question a lot of my children’s behaviours. Not only does it cover PDA but it covers autism and other related health conditions so it’s more a handbook. I could see this being very useful for people working in the field or if a parent of a child with needs.

As a SENCO working closely with PDA learners and their families, this was an excellent, practical read. The “F’s” section was particularly strong - clear, validating, and genuinely useful for explaining PDA needs to both parents and professionals. I also really appreciated the honest coverage of sibling violence, which is so often minimised or avoided, despite being a very real issue for many families.

This book strikes a great balance between empathy and practical understanding. I’ll be actively recommending it to my PDA families and tutors as a supportive, informative resource.

This is a book I sincerely hope will be read widely and extensively. I applaud the authors for recognising that PDA is not a particular well known presentation, but it is one for which having the right support can have a huge impact on the individual. That there are strategies for educators is fantastic, that these are clear and well written is even better!

I love the moments of anecdotal experience that appear throughout the book, and also that this book covers the lifespan, recognising that PDA is a life long condition.

This is a book that will be helpful to many professionals and parents (with some very sound advice for all).

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.