Finding PDA-aware professionals

Not all allied health professionals are familiar with PDA. Ask providers: “Are you familiar with the PDA profile?”, “Do you use low-demand approaches?”, and “How do your strategies differ from typical autism support?”

Types of support

Psychology & mental health

Look for practitioners using acceptance-based, autonomy-supporting, and low-demand frameworks rather than compliance-focused approaches.

Occupational Therapy

A PDA-aware OT will work at the pace of the individual and prioritise intrinsic motivation over task completion.

Behaviour Support Practitioners

Any Behaviour Support Plan for a PDA individual must not be compliance-focused or based on ABA principles. Seek practitioners who explicitly take a low-demand, anxiety-reduction approach.

Support Coordination

A good NDIS Support Coordinator for a PDA family understands the complexities of finding appropriate providers and can advocate on your behalf.

Parent & carer support

• PDA Australia’s online community and peer networks
• Carer Gateway (government-funded services)
• Carer Allowance and Carer Payment through Centrelink
• Emergency respite through your NDIS plan or Carer Gateway

Crisis support

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7)
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• NDIS: 1800 800 110