Harmony Holistics Wirral

22/11/2025

Is demand avoidance the same as PDA? Is it something only autistic children experience?

Demand avoidance isn’t something that has been talked about for long. It’s only really since 2005 that clinicians have been describing a group of children for whom the demands of everyday life provoke extreme anxiety, thus (understandably) leading to avoidance. Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is described as a profile of autism, and sometimes a diagnosis will be given of ‘autism with demand avoidance’, since PDA isn’t a formal diagnosis (which means it’s not in the diagnostic manuals).

I’m one of those people who had a ‘light bulb’ moment when I heard about PDA. It made such a lot of sense and described some behaviour which just seemed inexplicable. It felt like a seismic shift in how I understand some children and young people.

Knowledge is growing and expanding all the time, and one of the things which has changed for me over the last few years is that many people whose children are not autistic have got in touch with me to tell me that their kids are also demand avoidant. Parents of children with FASD, with ADHD, adopted/fostered children, traumatised children. Children with no diagnoses at all. Some of them seem to have been born demand avoidant, others have become demand avoidant after stressful experiences. The demand avoidant behaviour itself isn’t very different.

Why does this matter? Because I have met many children whose parents say ‘they aren’t autistic, so surely they can’t be demand avoidant? If it’s not demand avoidance, should I just be firmer and have stricter boundaries?’. Much of the information available only talks about autism, and doesn’t even consider that other children might also be demand avoidant. This means that those families are left out.

That’s why now I often talk about demand avoidant children (although I do also sometimes talk about PDA and I often talk about autism). Demand avoidance is a behaviour trait which is not exclusive to autistic people. It can be experienced by anyone, particularly at times of high stress. PDA is an autistic profile, and it include high levels of demand avoidance as well as other things. Demand avoidance, even a very high level of demand avoidance isn’t exclusive to PDA. I know this because I work with people who are not autistic as well as those who are.

So if you’re thinking that your child is demand avoidant, that doesn’t mean that they must be also autistic. If the description fits and you have a lightbulb moment – it just might be worth finding out more.

At the end of the month I’m talking about Helping your Demand Avoidant Child with Change. It’s about how to help children manage both planned and unexpected change. It’s for all parents of demand avoidant children – or even those who are just wondering, could this be us?

Lunchtime on Thursday November 27th. It is recorded.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/helping-your-demand-avoidant-child-with-change-tickets-1964030267400?aff=fb4

21/11/2025

I’m back again! Pre-op part 2!!

05/11/2025

A great day today at Hayfield school starting a 6 month Rhythmic Movement Therapy pilot programme. The children were great, and tried really hard to execute the moves. I am soo looking forward working with them , teaching staff and parents over the coming months.
The sensory room set up for my session today.

05/11/2025

So excited to be back at Hayfield School working with a whole classroom with a Rhythmic Movement Pilot programme for 6 months. The children as just lovely and enjoying their session so far. Watch this space.

04/11/2025

Reflexology isn’t just relaxing. Studies show it can lead to real, measurable changes in the body.

A review published in National Center for Biotechnology Information looked at what happens physiologically and biochemically when people receive reflexology. Here’s what they found 👇

✅ 1. Stress hormone levels can change
Several studies showed reductions in cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone) and salivary amylase after reflexology. Lower stress = better balance for many systems in the body.

❤️ 2. Heart rate and blood pressure may respond
People often experience a calming effect — including lower heart rate and blood pressure during or after a session. This reflects activation of the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) system.

😊 3. Improved relaxation and emotional wellbeing
Participants consistently reported feeling calmer, more centered, and less anxious after reflexology. This isn’t just subjective — some studies observed measurable shifts in physiological markers of stress.

⚠️ Important note:
These changes don’t mean reflexology treats or cures disease. But they do show that what happens during a session is more than surface-level pampering. It can support the body’s natural stress regulation pathways.

A relaxed body has more capacity to heal, regulate, and restore balance. Reflexology supports the body’s natural balance by encouraging deep relaxation and reducing stress. Small shifts inside can make a big difference in how you feel on the outside.



Source: McCullough, J. E., Liddle, S. D., Sinclair, M., Close, C., & Hughes, C. M. (2014). The Physiological and Biochemical Outcomes Associated with a Reflexology Intervention. National Center for Biotechnology Information

18/10/2025

13/10/2025

Had a great couple of days away on Friday and Saturday last week, attending a very informative and interesting “Mastering RMT(i)” course, all about assessment techniques and linking muscles of the body to primitive reflexes, we also covered cranial nerves (my favourite subject) and much more.

It was run by Moira Dempsey, the founder of RMT(i). So was a bit in awe of her incredible knowledge (spanning over 35 years).

I am about to embark on a pilot study using a rhythmic Movements at one of schools I work in, so watch this space. Exciting times. 😊😃