SCIENCEWORKS
BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
Edited and reviewed:
June 10, 2026
Complete Care for all Neurotypes
Therapy | Assessments | Coaching
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PDA-INFORMED SUPPORT
PDA and demand avoidance support in Tennessee
PDA-informed, low-demand support for people with a demand-avoidant profile across Tennessee — reduce the anxiety behind avoidance, by secure telehealth.
Everyday demands trigger panic, not just reluctance
IS PDA-INFORMED SUPPORT FOR YOU?
A good fit if any of this sounds familiar
Low-demand, collaborative support that lowers everyday pressure
Clinicians who understand PDA as an anxiety-driven profile
Flexible, autonomy-respecting strategies instead of rigid rules
Licensed Providers
Telehealth Nationwide*
Neuro-affirming
Private & Secure
HOW PDA SUPPORT WORKS
What PDA is, and what actually helps
PDA — pathological demand avoidance, often described as a persistent drive for autonomy — is a profile seen within the autism spectrum. It describes an anxiety-driven need to resist everyday demands, even ones a person genuinely wants to meet. It isn't defiance or poor parenting; it's the nervous system reacting to a loss of control.
Because of that, conventional demand-and-reward strategies often backfire — they raise pressure and intensify avoidance. PDA-informed support takes the opposite approach: lowering demands, offering real choice, using collaborative and indirect language, and addressing the underlying anxiety. We work with each person's profile to reduce distress and rebuild a sense of safety and control. Because PDA is an emerging area, we're honest about what the evidence does and doesn't yet show.
KEY STATISTICS ABOUT PDA AND AUTISM
Up to 20%
of autistic people may show a PDA profile
Source:
2.2%
of U.S. adults are estimated to be autistic
Source:
15–20%
of people are estimated to be neurodivergent
Source:
WHAT TO EXPECT
Low-demand from the very first step
1
Free 15-minute consult.
We listen to what's been hardest — no agenda, no pressure to commit.
2
3
Ongoing telehealth support that flexes with capacity, anywhere in TN.
You're paired with a clinician who understands demand-avoidant profiles.
Matched with a PDA-aware clinician.
Build a low-demand plan.
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:
-
Self-Pay: All major credit cards; FAS/HSA eligible
-
Payment Plans: 6-months interest-free for approved clients via CareCredit
-
Superbills Provided
-
Out-of-Network: Up to 90% reimbursement for qualifying plans
WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH
PDA-aware, specialized, clinically reviewed
Your support is provided by licensed Tennessee clinicians experienced with demand-avoidant profiles and the autism spectrum. Because PDA is an emerging area, we stay current with the research and are honest about what's still uncertain — care is supervised and clinically reviewed.
Dr. Kiesa Kelly (she/her)
Owner & Psychologist
Ryan Burns (he/him)
Practice Director
WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE SCIENCEWORKS
Low-demand, honest, autonomy-first
Because we're independent, support is shaped around lowering demands and rebuilding autonomy — not forcing compliance or hitting session targets.
You work with clinicians who understand PDA as anxiety-driven — not as defiance, and not with one-size-fits-all behavior plans.
Support is delivered by secure telehealth across Tennessee, so a low-demand approach reaches you in your own environment.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions
Is PDA support online or in person?
ScienceWorks provides PDA-informed support entirely online by secure telehealth, to clients located in Tennessee during sessions. There's no in-person option — for many demand-avoidant clients, the control and familiarity of being at home lowers pressure from the start.
Is PDA an official diagnosis?
Not formally. PDA isn't a standalone diagnosis in the DSM-5 or ICD-11; it's widely described as a profile within autism. You don't need a 'PDA diagnosis' to get support — we work with the demand-avoidant pattern itself, whether or not you're formally autistic.
Does this work for both kids and adults?
Yes. A demand-avoidant profile can show up across the lifespan, and we tailor support to age and situation — whether that's an individual adult, a teen, or guidance for a family. We review fees and fit before you commit.
*Therapy and assessments available in the following states (coaching available worldwide):
AL, AZ, AR, 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.