Written Question · S5W-15997 · Session 5
What guidance is issued to NHS boards regarding the diagnosis of pathological demand avoidance.
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is issued to NHS boards regarding the diagnosis of pathological demand avoidance.
The answer
The Scottish Government is committed to supporting children and young people with autism, under which PDA is categorised, to enable the right support to be put in place early and reduce the longer term impact.
The Scottish Government has not issued guidance in respect of pathological demand avoidance syndrome (PDA). PDA has no official diagnostic status or recognition within current autism diagnostic practice.
There are currently two major diagnostic classification systems in use: the International Classification of Diseases, version 10 (ICD-10) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5). These systems are the ‘gold standard’ for autism diagnosis and neither of them recognises PDA. Since Scotland is committed to standards of best practice, and as stated in SIGN 145, Assessment, diagnosis and interventions for autism spectrum disorders: A national clinical guideline, all professionals involved in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder in children, young people or adults should consider using either one of the current versions of these classification systems. SIGN guidance do not recognises PDA as a distinct category for diagnosis.
The Scottish Government has not issued guidance in respect of pathological demand avoidance syndrome (PDA). PDA has no official diagnostic status or recognition within current autism diagnostic practice.
There are currently two major diagnostic classification systems in use: the International Classification of Diseases, version 10 (ICD-10) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5). These systems are the ‘gold standard’ for autism diagnosis and neither of them recognises PDA. Since Scotland is committed to standards of best practice, and as stated in SIGN 145, Assessment, diagnosis and interventions for autism spectrum disorders: A national clinical guideline, all professionals involved in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder in children, young people or adults should consider using either one of the current versions of these classification systems. SIGN guidance do not recognises PDA as a distinct category for diagnosis.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-15997 by reference.