Children with a Demand Avoidant (PDA) profile aren’t resisting support — they’re experiencing an involuntary neurophysiological threat response. Yet many systems still rely on compliance-based models that intensify crisis. This article explores why traditional approaches fail, and how Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) offer a sustainable, evidence-based path from crisis to collaboration.

Setting the Scene In September 2025, a child’s placement was on the brink of collapse. Despite detailed paperwork and frequent reviews,...

Paperwork is rarely the problem. This briefing explores why the absence of clear frameworks leads to crisis, and how values-led, systemic approaches can create stability, improve quality of life, and reduce reliance on crisis services.