604. Navigating PDA in the Assessment Process w/ Dr. Monica Corrado

Click here to read the transcript Today, I’m happy to sit down with Monica Corrado to explore Pathological Demand Avoidance, also referred to as Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA), within the context of evaluation and clinical practice. We discuss how the intense need for autonomy manifests in testing environments, why traditional standardized measures such as Wechsler intelligence scales often induce distress for PDA kids, and how alternative tools like the Differential Ability Scales offer a more valid representation of cognitive potential. Monica shares practical clinical strategies for ceding control, maintaining rapport, and interpreting behavioral process over raw numerical scores. We also examine differential diagnosis, contrast PDA profiles with oppositional defiant disorder, review rating scale patterns across parent and teacher informants, and highlight actionable post-assessment support strategies for families and educators. Main Topics Discussed 02:40: Personal resonance with autonomy and the fundamental drive for independence 05:22: Identifying PDA in clinical practice and exploring historical background 08:09: Conceptualizing PDA, social attunement, and re-evaluating manipulative behavior 14:36: Distinct clinical features differentiating PDA from classic autistic profiles 20:27: Evaluating process over scores and using the Differential Ability Scales over Wechsler batteries 28:24: Managing power dynamics and non-standard administration strategies in testing 42:27: Differential diagnosis: PDA versus ODD/CD and interpreting parent and teacher rating scales 56:13: Actionable recommendations, school environment modifications, and community support networks Cool Things Mentioned Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists Reverb : the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Differential Ability Scales (DAS-II): www.pearsonassessments.com Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V): www.pearsonassessments.com Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2): www.wpspublish.com Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-4): www.pearsonassessments.com Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-2): www.parinc.com Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Vineland-3): www.pearsonassessments.com Conners 4th Edition (Conners 4): <a href="https://storefront.mhs.com/c