Ask your GP or your child's SENCO to refer them for an NHS autism assessment, requesting the clinician note any PDA profile - in the UK, PDA is identified within an autism assessment, not assessed separately.
Why there is no separate PDA test
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is described as a profile within autism, not a standalone diagnosis the NHS or NICE recognise. So you cannot be referred for a "PDA assessment" on its own. The route is an autism diagnostic assessment, during which a clinician may record that your child has a PDA profile (or "demand avoidant traits"). The PDA Society is clear that recognition still varies between services, so some teams describe the profile readily and others do not.
The referral steps
- Book a GP appointment (or speak to your child's SENCO, who can refer in many areas). Bring written, specific examples of demand avoidance and how it affects daily life.
- The GP refers to your local children's autism pathway - usually community paediatrics, CAMHS or a children and young people's service. Some areas screen referrals through a single point of access first.
- Ask, in writing, that the assessing clinician considers a PDA profile, and supply school evidence (a teacher questionnaire is often requested) alongside your own.
How long it takes, and the faster route
NICE says an autism assessment should start within 13 weeks of referral, but in practice waits of 18 months to several years are common as of 2026, with over 200,000 people on autism assessment waiting lists in England. In England only, Right to Choose lets you ask your GP to refer to any qualifying NHS-funded provider, which can be quicker. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland do not have Right to Choose; there the NHS pathway or a private assessment are the options.
If it stalls
If your GP declines to refer, ask for the reason in writing and request a second opinion. If a service rejects the referral, ask which evidence would change that and resubmit. A private assessment (the PDA Society keeps a directory of diagnostic centres) is an option, though it does not skip the NHS list if you also need an NHS-recorded diagnosis for an EHCP or DLA claim later.
Where the law comes from
Related
This page is general information, not clinical or legal advice.