Sophie, a 10-year-old, avoids straightforward tasks like getting dressed or doing homework. When her parents press her to comply, she might have a meltdown or withdraw to her room. At school, Sophie ...

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is a tendency for autistic individuals to struggle when overwhelmed by demands. On the outside, it can look like defiance or choosing not to do necessary things. On ...

Nicole Rinehart receives funding from: National Health and Medical Research Council, Aspen Pharmacare, Jonathan and Simone Wenig, Adam Krongold, MECCA M-Powered Collective, Victorian Department of ...

This story is from The Pulse, a weekly health and science podcast. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Stella, 4, is smart, funny and has a lot of energy. Her verbal ...