Extreme Demand Avoidance Questionnaire for Adults (EDA-QA)
What it is
The Extreme Demand Avoidance Questionnaire for Adults (EDA-QA) is a self-report tool designed to assess characteristics associated with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a behavioral profile on the autism spectrum. PDA is characterized by an intense avoidance of everyday demands and expectations due to high levels of anxiety. The EDA-QA helps identify traits related to demand avoidance in adults, including resistance to routine requests, anxiety-driven behaviors, and a preference for autonomy.
This questionnaire is widely used in clinical settings and research to better understand demand avoidance behaviors and how they may impact daily life. It is also useful for identifying potential traits of PDA in adults who may not have previously been diagnosed.
How is it used
The EDA-QA is suitable for adults aged 18 and older and typically takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. Participants are asked to reflect on their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in various situations involving demands or expectations, such as work tasks, social obligations, or personal goals.
The questionnaire is commonly used by clinicians, counselors, and researchers to explore how demand avoidance behaviors may affect an individual’s ability to manage daily life and relationships. It can also help guide interventions aimed at reducing anxiety and building coping strategies.
What do the scores mean?
The EDA-QA consists of 26 questions, with each item rated on a 4-point Likert scale. The questions cover a range of behaviours and tendencies associated with PDA, including:
Resistance to Demands: Reluctance or refusal to follow instructions or meet expectations.
- Social Strategies: Using distraction, negotiation, or humor to avoid demands.
- Emotional Dysregulation: Experiencing extreme frustration or anxiety when demands are unavoidable.
- Need for Autonomy: A strong preference for control over decisions and routines.
The EDA-QA generates a total score by summing the responses to all items. Higher scores indicate a stronger presence of demand avoidance traits. While there is no definitive diagnostic threshold, research suggests the following ranges for interpretation:
- 0 to 49: Low demand avoidance traits. The individual is unlikely to experience significant difficulties related to PDA behaviors.
- 50 to 74: Moderate demand avoidance traits. The person may experience challenges in managing demands but can often cope with support.
- 75 and above: High demand avoidance traits. The individual likely experiences significant anxiety and difficulties related to demands, which may interfere with daily functioning. Further assessment and support are recommended.
What does the research say?
The EDA-QA is based on established research into PDA and demand avoidance behaviors in adults. It has strong reliability (providing consistent results) and validity (effectively identifying behaviors associated with demand avoidance). While not a standalone diagnostic tool, it is widely recognized as a valuable screening measure in clinical and research settings.
One of the key strengths of the EDA-QA is its focus on behavioral patterns in adults, helping to fill a gap where many other tools are designed primarily for children. This makes it particularly useful for identifying PDA traits in adults who may not have been assessed in childhood.
Developer
Egan et al. (2019). The Measurement of Adult Pathological Demand Avoidance Traits. J Autism Dev Disord 49, 481–494