Distressed behaviours

This interactive module offers essential insight into distressed behaviours. Instead of focusing on surface behaviours, we explore what’s really going on underneath, high levels of anxiety, overwhelm, and nervous system responses to everyday pressures and demands.

The module explores:

• what are distressed behaviours?
• why do distressed behaviours happen?
• how flexibility makes a difference.
• how we can support distressed behaviours.
• education, health and social care.
• supporting self help strategies to manage demands.

This module was developed by the PDA Society with input from PDAers, families, and professionals, combining lived experience with up-to-date knowledge.

Course information

Our self paced learning modules are designed to make learning simple, flexible, and engaging. Unlike a traditional PDF or webinar, these courses are:

• Interactive – with click-through activities, videos, and knowledge checks to keep you involved.

• Self-paced – you can start and stop whenever you like.

• Accessible anywhere – available on desktop, tablet, or mobile* so you can learn in the way that works best for you.

• Visually engaging – designed with clear layouts, easy navigation, and bite-sized sections that are quick to work through.

• Practical and supportive – each module focuses on real-world examples and approaches you can apply straight away.

Our modules feel more like an interactive guide than a lecture — putting you in control of your own learning journey.

*You can access this module on any device — desktop, tablet, or mobile. For the smoothest experience we recommend using a desktop.

Who’s it for:

This module is suitable for parents, carers, professionals across all sectors, and anyone wanting to understand more about distressed behaviours.

This module can be completed on its own, but you’ll get the most value by exploring it alongside our other introductory modules. Together, they build a strong foundation for understanding and supporting PDA.

• PDA – the basics – an introduction to understanding PDA.

• Understanding demand avoidance – exploring what demand avoidance is, how it links to stress responses, ways to recognise it, and what the experience of demands can feel like.

• Distressed behaviours – understanding distressed behaviours, why they happen and helpful approaches.

• The everyday impact of PDA – exploring how PDA affects daily life and supportive approaches.

• The PANDA Approach – 5 Individual modules exploring our PANDA approach – a flexible framework for support at home and in daily life.

We also have our Supporting PDA Learners in Education module and are developing further dedicated modules for professionals across education, health, and social care, which will be available soon.

Our introductory modules are included in monthly and annual subscriptions, or can be purchased individually.