87% of children and 82% of adults with PDA reported experiencing severe anxiety in the past year. Shockingly, 60% to 84% of adults with PDA have considered suicide.
Caregivers report high levels of stress; 94% state their emotional health has been affected, and many experience family breakdown or estrangement. Characteristics & Management PDA Lives Worth Living Report - PDA Society 87% of children and 82% of adults with
Recent large-scale studies, such as the PDA Experience Report (2025) and reports from the PDA Society (2025), highlight the significant challenges faced by this community: Characteristics & Management PDA Lives Worth Living Report
, or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy , is increasingly recognized as a specific profile within the autism spectrum. It is characterized by an intense, anxiety-driven need for control and the avoidance of everyday demands. Key Findings & Statistics or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy