AQW 17623/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 20/04/2021
Answered On Date: 04/05/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) his assessment of Pathological Demand Avoidance training not currently being mandatory for primary and post-primary teachers; and (ii) what support is currently available in schools for pupils who have PDA.

Answer:

Mandatory training is not in line with the Department’s Teacher Professional Learning Strategy - Learning Leaders (2016) which aims to empower the teaching profession to strengthen its own professionalism and expertise to meet the challenging educational needs of young people in the 21st century.

The Education Authority Autism Advisory and Intervention Service (EA AAIS) do not currently provide training or advice on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) as there is no standard agreement amongst professionals on intervention strategies or categorisation of the condition at present. PDA, also referred to as extreme demand avoidance, is not a recognised diagnostic category within the existing international diagnostic classification systems. As this is a medical diagnosis, EA AAIS will continue to follow guidance and take the lead from the Department of Health.

If there is a diagnosis of PDA, the EA AAIS recommend that this is also accompanied by a treatment plan, from the health professional involved, to outline the support that the school can provide for individual pupils.

Training on autism and anxiety for Parents and Professionals may be useful for children and young people presenting with these difficulties. Parental guidance and resources are available via the EA AAIS or through Middletown Centre for Autism