SCIENCEWORKS
BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
Edited and reviewed:
June 10, 2026
Complete Care for all Neurotypes
Therapy | Assessments | Coaching
Reviewed by:
ADHD & DEMAND AVOIDANCE
ADHD and demand avoidance: therapy or assessment in Tennessee
Intense demand avoidance can come from ADHD, autism, anxiety, or all three. We help you find the right next step by secure telehealth across Tennessee.
Even things you want to do can feel impossible to start
WHERE SHOULD YOU START?
What a triage consult sorts out
A focused consult to map what's actually driving the demand avoidance
A clear recommendation: assessment, therapy, or both
A plan that fits whether the root looks like ADHD, autism, or anxiety
Licensed Providers
Telehealth Nationwide*
Neuro-affirming
Private & Secure
WHAT DEMAND AVOIDANCE IS
Understanding demand avoidance, and finding the right support
Demand avoidance describes an intense, anxiety-driven resistance to everyday expectations — sometimes even to things you genuinely want to do. Often called a PDA profile, it's most discussed within autism and frequently overlaps with ADHD. It isn't a standalone diagnosis in the DSM-5; it's a pattern that points to something underneath.
Because the right help depends on that underlying picture, the first step is sorting it out. A short triage consult clarifies whether an evaluation would help you understand autism or ADHD, whether therapy for the anxiety and nervous-system overwhelm fits better, or whether both belong in the plan — always in a way that works with your need for autonomy rather than against it.
KEY STATISTICS ABOUT ADHD & AUTISM
1 in 45
of U.S. adults are estimated to be autistic
Source:
1 in 16
of U.S. adults have a current ADHD diagnosis
Source:
1 in 3
of adults with ADHD receive no treatment at all
Source:
WHAT TO EXPECT
Low-pressure from the very first step
1
Free 15-minute consult.
We listen to what's happening and what feels hardest — with no demands.
2
3
You leave with a clear next step — assessment, therapy, or both — and no pressure.
Together we map what's driving the avoidance and what kind of help fits.
A collaborative triage.
Your recommended path.
Payment options
As a specialty practice, we're out-of-network so we can offer the most effective, customized services.
Our payment options are transparent and flexible:
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Self-Pay: All major credit cards; FAS/HSA eligible
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Payment Plans: 6-months interest-free for approved clients via CareCredit
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Superbills Provided
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Out-of-Network: Up to 90% reimbursement for qualifying plans
WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH
Clinicians who understand demand avoidance
Your consult is with licensed Tennessee clinicians experienced in autism, ADHD, and the anxiety that drives demand avoidance. We work in an autonomy-respecting, neurodivergent-affirming way, and every recommendation is clinically reviewed — you're guided by a specialist, not a generalist.
Dr. Kiesa Kelly (she/her)
Owner & Psychologist
Ryan Burns (he/him)
Practice Director
WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE SCIENCEWORKS
Autonomy-respecting and affirming
Because we're independent and out-of-network, we can take the time to understand a complex picture instead of forcing a quick label.
You're guided by clinicians who understand demand avoidance and won't pathologize a nervous system that's working hard to feel safe.
Care is neurodivergent-affirming and delivered by secure telehealth across Tennessee, so support meets you where you're comfortable.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions
Is demand avoidance (PDA) a formal diagnosis?
Not on its own. Demand avoidance — sometimes called a PDA profile — is a recognized pattern, not a standalone diagnosis in the DSM-5. It's most often linked to autism and ADHD, so we evaluate those underlying conditions and the anxiety that drives it.
Do I need an assessment, or therapy?
That's exactly what the triage consult is for. If you want to understand whether autism or ADHD is part of the picture, assessment helps; if the priority is easing the anxiety and overwhelm, therapy may come first. Often it's both, in a sequence that fits you.
Is this all online, and what does it cost?
Everything is done online by secure telehealth for clients in Tennessee — there's no in-person option. We go over fees, scheduling, and any out-of-network reimbursement up front, and many clients use FSA or HSA funds or monthly superbills.
*Therapy and assessments available in the following states (coaching available worldwide):
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Disclaimer: This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for mental health diagnosis or treatment. Reading this page does not create a therapist–client relationship with ScienceWorks Behavioral Healthcare. S If you are in crisis or may be at risk of harm to yourself or others, call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or call/text 988 (U.S.). Additional emergency support can be found here: Emergency Resources.