The Impact of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in Neurodivergent Relationships: Navigating Burnout-Grace Malonai
Neurodiverse Love with Mona Kay, MSW, Ph.D.Show Notes
During this podcast episode you will have an opportunity to listen to one of the 30+ amazing sessions from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference. You will hear from Dr. Grace Malonai as she explores the impact of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in neurodivergent relationships. She provides a comprehensive understanding of how PDA manifests in neurodivergent partnerships, and offers practical work-around strategies. Grace also includes a brief introduction to PDA, how PDA can complicate expectations and trust in relationships, and the impact of burnout. She also addresses communication and emotional regulation needs and coping strategies. Lastly, she provides practical insights and strategies to build reslience, a sense of support, and mutual understanding.
Learn more about the presenters and sessions from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference or click here and use code Podcast50 to get $50 off the regular price of $97. You will get immediate access to the 30+ amazing conference sessions.
In addition, when you buy access to the 2025 conference presentations you will also get several valuable BONUSES: The digital versions of the Neurodiverse Love Conversation Cards ($11 value) and Workbook ($12.97 value) and lifetime access to the 27 sessions from the 2023 Neurodiverse Love Conference ($97 value).
If you want to learn more about the resources Mona has available for non-autistic partners or neurodiverse couples click here.
More from Neurodiverse Love with Mona Kay, MSW, Ph.D.
It has been an honor and a privilege for me to have hosted and co-hosted the Neurodiverse Love podcast since the fall of 2020. I will be forever grateful to my dear friend Olga, who agreed to start this podcast journey with me in the middle of the pandemic, and to all my co-hosts who have partnered with me along the way: Manecia, Greg, Nicole and Bronwyn.
This wonderful conversation is one of the amazing panel discussions from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference.
The four part Neurodiverse Love Docuseries shows how 4 neurodiverse couples navigate different communication styles, emotional needs, sensory and physical intimacy differences, and employment and special interests. In addition, three therapists/coaches who work with neurodiverse couples share strategies, tools and insights that can help neurodiverse couples navigate their strengths, challenges and differences. Check out the first 2 episodes here: https://www.neurodiverselove.com/the-documentary
The intro and first two episodes of the Neurodiverse Love Docuseries are available here. The first episode addresses communication differences and the second episode focuses on emotional reciprocity.
This episode is a very informative panel discussion from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference. The following individuals participated in this conversation and I hope you find the information they shared helpful.