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The PDA Paradox

The Highs and Lows of My Life on a Little-Known Part of the Autism Spectrum

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The PDA Paradox

By: Harry Thompson, Felicity Evans - foreword
Narrated by: Elliot Chapman
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About this listen

A memoir by an adult with PDA, reflecting back on his early childhood through to present day.

Diagnosed with pathological demand avoidance (PDA) in his teenage years, Harry Thompson looks back with wit and humour at the ups and downs of family and romantic relationships, school, work and mental health, as well as his teenage struggle with drugs and alcohol.

By embracing neurodiversity and emphasising that autistic people are not flawed human beings, Thompson demonstrates that some merely need to take the 'scenic route' in order to flourish and reach their full potential. The memoir brings to life Harry's past experiences and feelings, from his torrid time at school to the peaceful and meaningful moments when he is alone with a book, writing or creating YouTube videos.

Eloquent and insightful, The PDA Paradox will bring listeners to shock, laughter and tears through its overwhelming honesty. It is a turbulent memoir, but it ends with hope and a positive outlook to the future.

©2019 Harry Thompson (P)2019 Jessica Kingsley Publishers Children's Health Mental Health People with Disabilities Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Health Autism Special Need Autism Memoir
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This was recommended to me as I trawl the internet and audible for the help needed to help an atypical autistic offspring.
Not only autistic but atypical!! But maybe not. Maybe PDA. Thank you for writing this book. Thank you for publishing this book. And thank you for throwing light on what PDA is. This book is like an arrow to the heart of the target. It’s funny. It’s clever. It’s enlightening. And it’s comforting.

I wish only that the mother would write her side of the story in a second volume.

A mother’s Thank you.

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An enjoyable read whilst also assisting my understanding of how my son’s and my students’ autistic demand avoidant brains work. Really glad I gave this a go!

Entertaining and informative

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I stumbled across this book while looking for autism resources, specifically those about PDA. So many books about autism I’ve read are dry texts written by NT people. I was intrigued by this book as it offered a unique view into the life of a young man with autism and PDA. It totally captured me - I listened to the whole audible in one day and experienced all the emotions along the way. It is beautifully written, raw and beautifully vulnerable. I learned so much and it has helped me so much. I highly recommend this book.

A raw and beautiful insightful book

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Thank you for bringing me into your amazing world. I have a miss 12 with PDA ASD Lvl2..the struggle for her has been real and I love that you have given me so much insight into the PDA world that it gives me hope for an ever reaching life for her ahead!

Marvellous

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But I have to give a good review, it was a good book! I won't listen to Harry again because of the behaviour he has perpetrated in real life against real humans, but I enjoyed this book. It read well and was engaging and very relatable both as a PDAer myself and parenting PDA children also. It's a good introduction to the world of PDA which is a deep and complex world!

Hard to give a good review

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