Abstract

Jane Alison Sherwin's honest and uplifting account provides insight into the challenges of bringing up a child with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).

After years of misdiagnosis, Jane's daughter, Mollie, was diagnosed with PDA at the age of seven, and we follow her experiences pre and post diagnosis to age 10 as she attends school, interacts with the outside world and approaches adolescence. Throughout, Jane provides commentary on her daughter's behaviour and the impact it has on her family, explaining the 'why' of PDA traits, including the need for control, meltdowns, obsessive behaviour and sensory issues. She reveals the strategies that have worked for Mollie and provides essential advice and information on obtaining a diagnosis and raising awareness of PDA. The book also includes an interview with Mollie.

Full of advice and support, and with a focus on understanding the child and how he or she sees the world, this book will be of immeasurable value to the parents and families of children with PDA as well as the professionals working with them, particularly teachers and teaching assistants, SEN co-ordinators, psychologists, outreach workers and social workers.

My Daughter is Not Naughty charts the up and down journey of Jane and her daughter Mollie as they discover, and then begin learning to live with, Pathological Demand Avoidance syndrome. It is a down-to-earth read that tackles difficult issues with refreshing honesty, but is delivered with the warmth and sensitivity of a mother's touch. This may be Jane and Mollie's story, but the degree to which it will resonate with other "PDA parents," means it could easily be their story too.
Neville Starnes, PDA parent and member of the PDA Society’s management committee, UK
Knowledge and understanding of PDA is still at an early stage, but there are exciting developments happening in diagnostic understanding, greater awareness of successful educational approaches and the perspective that is now being gained from further research...Jane Sherwin's book, the account of the mother of Mollie, a ten-year-old girl with PDA, will add to that knowledge by highlighting the perspective of a parent, as well as giving fascinating glimpses into how the world seems from Mollie's point of view.
from the foreword and introduction by Phil Christie, Consultant Child Psychologist, The Elizabeth Newson Centre, UK
Sherwin comes to this subject as a parent as opposed to a professional and her knowledge is self-taught as she came to terms with her daughter's difficulties... (The author) outlines the strategies that she has developed to cope with Mollie's meltdowns and anxieties and her 'huge issues' with sleep... Sherwin writes frankly about how Mollie's PDA has affected her personally and her family and this book is a moving and informative guide.
Mary Mountstephen, author, editor
SEN Magazine
Jane Alison Sherwin began a successful career in the family business at the age of 19. When her daughter began displaying difficulties in school, eventually being diagnosed with Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome (PDA), Jane gave up work to concentrate on being her daughter's carer, teacher, advocate, psychologist, psychiatrist and her mum all rolled into one. The same drive that made her successful in the workplace was now concentrated on her family and a need to understand what drove their unique difficulties. Jane has no professional qualifications in the field of PDA; her knowledge has been self-taught through literature, media and life experience. She lives in Staffordshire, UK.