Webinars

CAMHS NDC: Demand Avoidance

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We’re pleased to share insights from our recent webinar, “Demand Avoidance: Understanding and Supporting Children and Young People.” This session was designed to help parent carers better understand demand avoidance, including how it can present, the role of anxiety, and practical ways to reduce distress and support engagement.

 

Hosted in collaboration between the Oxfordshire Parent Carers Forum (OxPCF) and Oxfordshire CAMHS Neurodevelopmental Conditions (NDC) team, the session featured:

 

Laura Agnew – Clinical Lead Nurse

Dr Sue Wimshurst – Senior Clinical Psychologist

Georgina Hobden – Trainee Clinical Psychologist

(All from Oxford Health, Oxfordshire CAMHS Service)

 

Together, they shared clinical insights and practical strategies to support children and young people who experience high levels of anxiety around demands, including those with a demand avoidant or PDA-type profile.​​

 

Key Topics Covered:​​

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• Understanding what demand avoidance is and the different reasons it may occur

• The role of anxiety and the nervous system (fight, flight, freeze responses)

• Exploring PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) and current clinical understanding

• Recognising how demand avoidance can present in daily life

• The impact of language, expectations, and perceived pressure

• Practical strategies including the PANDA approach

• Supporting children through collaboration, flexibility, and reduced demands

• The importance of a needs-led (not diagnosis-led) approach

• Parent carer wellbeing and managing the emotional impact

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Recording and Summary

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🎧 Recording Below - Catch up on the session anytime!

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Summary

📄 Click here for a summary sheet with:

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✅ Key takeaways from the webinar

❓ Q&A write-up with common questions and answers

📚 Resource suggestions for further support

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