With PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), traditional expectations—like getting dressed, attending school, or completing work—can cause serious distress.
It doesn’t mean someone doesn’t want to do things; it means the anxiety around demands is overwhelming.
Narrative tabletop games create a rare space where choice rules everything.
When players take on a character, they explore situations indirectly, on their own terms.
This gives someone with PDA a powerful sense of control.
The game world bends to curiosity, not compliance.
In online formats, voice-based or text-only games allow social connection at a safe distance.
No one has to perform face-to-face or meet rigid expectations.
Every contribution counts equally.
It’s important to not push people with PDA to meet session time limits.
It’s important to slowly build their engagement and earn their trust, ending sessions when they want (usually early).
As a diversional therapist, I can guide that experience gently—helping players explore internal motivations through story and social connection while using narrative therapy to build communication confidence and agency.
Ask us about how we can build a social circle in a lifelong hobby for you or the person in your care regardless of age or ability. If we can’t personally deliver a program for you, we will refer you to someone who can regardless of location in Australia
Email us: gametherapynetwork@gmail.com