Petitioner: Patricia Hewitt and Mary Black
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
20 December 2016
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to promote a wider awareness and acceptance of Pathological Demand Avoidance syndrome among health, education and social care and social work practitioners, and, via the appropriate agencies and bodies, to institute and facilitate training in the diagnosis of the condition, to promote the development of therapeutic programmes for those with the syndrome and to provide support for their families and carers.
Summary:
19 January 2017: The Committee took evidence from Patricia Hewitt, Euan Robson, Mary Black and Heather Fullbrook. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, National Autistic Society, Scottish Autism, Enquire, Child Autism UK, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, COSLA, and the EIS. Link to Official Report 19 January 2017
30 March 2017: The Committee agreed to write to COSLA and integrated joint boards. Official Report
15 June 2017: The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and integration joint boards. Link to the Official Report 15 June 2017
9 November 2017: The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders on the basis that the Scottish Government is clear in its view that PDA is covered within ASD diagnosis; this position is in line with the international standards of best practice as established in ICD-10 and DSM-5, and is reflected in its national guidance SIGN 145 which has been developed by a multidisciplinary working group which has taken account of the scientific literature and evidence; work is also ongoing in relation to the Scottish Strategy for Autism, and NES has provided additional resources and support tools for the health and social care workforce. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government to indicate that PDA awareness should be included in the ongoing work on the Scottish Strategy for Autism. Link to Official Report 9 November 2017
Written Submissions:
We think this is an opportunity for Scotland to lead the way in ensuring that the relevant professionals have the best awareness and training to recognise PDA syndrome, to support children, young people and their families.
Do you agree that it's time that PDA syndrome is given proper recognition?
How do you think we can best achieve this?