Understanding PDA: How Yoga and Mindfulness Support SEND Children and Teens in Navigating

Demand Avoidance

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a profile of autism that is characterised by an extreme need to avoid everyday demands and expectations. Unlike typical oppositional behaviour, PDA stems from an intense anxiety response, making even simple requests feel overwhelming. Children and teens with PDA often experience heightened stress levels, which can impact their ability to engage in school, social interactions, and daily routines.

At BEAM ACADEMY, we recognise the importance of providing inclusive and supportive practices for SEND children and teens, including those with PDA. Yoga and mindfulness offer valuable tools that help them regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and build resilience in a world that often feels too demanding.

What is PDA?

PDA is a lesser-known but increasingly recognised profile of autism. It is defined by:

• A strong need to be in control and avoid demands.
• Anxiety-driven resistance, even to tasks they may usually enjoy.
• Social difficulties, often displaying surface-level sociability but struggling with deeper relationships.
• Rapid mood changes and intense emotional responses.
• A tendency to use strategies such as distraction, negotiation, or withdrawal to avoid demands.

For children with PDA, traditional approaches that rely on authority and structure can often backfire. Instead, they benefit from flexible, low-pressure environments where they feel a sense of autonomy and choice. This is where yoga and mindfulness can play a transformative role.

How Yoga Supports Children with PDA

Yoga offers a non-threatening and flexible approach to movement and self-regulation. Unlike structured sports or activities that require following set rules, yoga encourages exploration, autonomy, and self-expression. Here’s how it helps:

1. Creating a Low-Pressure Environment

Yoga is adaptable, meaning there’s no "right" or "wrong" way to move. Children with PDA often struggle with rigid expectations, so providing them with options and the freedom to engage at their own pace reduces pressure. Using playful storytelling yoga or letting them choose poses can help them feel in control.

2. Regulating the Nervous System

Children with PDA experience heightened fight-or-flight responses. Yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation through slow, intentional movement and breathwork. Postures like Child’s Pose, Butterfly Pose, and Legs-Up-the-Wall offer comfort and security, reducing stress.

3. Encouraging Connection Without Pressure

Many children with PDA struggle with social demands. Yoga creates a shared experience without the pressure of direct interaction. Partner poses and gentle group activities allow them to engage in a way that feels safe and enjoyable.

The Role of Mindfulness in Managing PDA Anxiety

Mindfulness helps children with PDA develop self-awareness and emotional regulation. Techniques such as guided breathing, body scans, and grounding exercises teach them to recognise signs of stress and respond with calmness.

Breathing Techniques for PDA

• Balloon Breath: Encourages deep belly breathing by imagining inflating a balloon in the stomach, helping to release tension.
• Five-Finger Breathing: Tracing each finger while breathing in and out provides a simple yet effective grounding tool.

Mindfulness also teaches children how to pause before reacting, allowing them to feel more in control of their emotions and choices.

Bringing PDA-Inclusive Yoga to Your Setting

At BEAM ACADEMY, our Yoga and Wellbeing for SEND Children and Teens Training equips educators, parents, and professionals with tools to support children with PDA and other neurodivergent needs. Our training provides:

• Strategies for creating low-demand, child-led yoga sessions.
• Techniques to promote emotional regulation and resilience.
• Practical mindfulness exercises tailored for SEND children.

By integrating yoga and mindfulness into their routine, children with PDA can develop greater confidence, emotional balance, and a sense of security in a world that often feels unpredictable.

Would you like to explore how to create a yoga practice that truly supports children with PDA? Join our next SEND Yoga and Wellbeing training!