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1 BACB General CEUs $ On-Demand

General CEU: PDA: What it is and What it isn't

PDA: What it is and What it isn't matters because it changes what a BCBA notices when decisions have to hold up in clinic sessions and day-to-day service delivery. In What it is and What it isn't, for this course, the practical stakes show up in stronger conceptual consistency and better translational decision making, not in abstract discussion alone.

Provider: Behaviorist Book Club

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Course Description

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is an increasingly discussed behavioral profile, yet it is often misunderstood, inconsistently defined, and misapplied in clinical practice. This continuing education session provides behavior analysts with a clear, evidence-informed overview of PDA, including its historical context, current conceptualizations, and common areas of confusion. Participants learn to distinguish PDA-related behavioral presentations from other forms of escape-maintained behavior and consider ethical responsibilities when addressing emerging profiles.

What You'll Learn

  1. Describe the historical development and current status of PDA-related profiles in clinical and diagnostic literature.
  2. Distinguish PDA-related behavioral presentations from other forms of escape-maintained behavior.
  3. Identify appropriate assessment considerations and ethical responsibilities when working with clients presenting with PDA profiles.

CEU Credits Earned

Certification BodyCreditsType
BACB 1 General
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Guide: PDA: What it is and What it isn't

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FAQ: 10 Questions About PDA: What it is and What it isn't

Research-backed answers to common clinical questions

Clinical Disclaimer

All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.

60+ Free CEUs — ethics, supervision & clinical topics