Understanding Demand Avoidance in Neurodivergent Children

Demand avoidance is a very real challenge that many parents face with their neurospicy children. Whether it is asking them to put their shoes on, brush their teeth or sit down to eat their dinner, the reactions can be huge and usually completely disproportionate to the request itself. 

The advice when it comes to demand-avoidant neurodivergent children is very different to their neurotypical peers and standard parenting strategies such as showing dominance, using reward charts or consequence charts are often ineffective and can cause behaviours to escalate. 

The following article by Paediatrician Dr Sri Gada helps to explain demand avoidance in our neurospicy population, what to look out for and more importantly, what parents can do to help their children and reduce conflict.  

https://www.drsrigada.co.uk/demand-avoidance-and-10-strategies-to-address-avoidant-behaviours/