According to the National Autistic Society, more than one in 100 people are autistic, with at least 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK. This means in almost every classroom there are likely autistic pupils, each experiencing and responding to the world in unique ways. For some, this includes a profile often described as Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), where everyday requests can feel overwhelming.
For these children, hearing instructions like “sit down” or “finish your worksheet” isn’t about unwillingness to learn. Instead, their nervous systems experience such demands as intense pressure. The key to helping them thrive is creating a school environment where they feel safe, supported, and understood.
A Story to Build Understanding
This is where Caryn Price and Georgina Benger’s book Olive’s Day comes in. It gives us a window into the life of Olive, a bright and creative little girl with a PDA profile. Through Olive’s story, we see what works in helping children like her thrive in school and beyond. The lessons aren’t just for teachers—they’re for classmates, parents, and anyone who cares about inclusion.
Understanding the “Big NO”
One of the first things we learn about Olive is that she often feels a “big NO” rising inside her when demands are placed on her. This doesn’t happen because she is being difficult—it’s her nervous system reacting to pressure, which can quickly lead to panic. In school, this might look like avoidance, refusal, or shutdown.
Instead of interpreting these behaviours as defiance, Olive’s Day shows how reframing demands can help. For example, when Olive’s mum asked her to get dressed for school, she didn’t insist. Instead, she invited Olive to play a “warrior armour” game—turning a stressful task into a playful adventure. In classrooms, teachers can do the same: offering choices, making tasks playful, or framing them as challenges.
Sensory Experiences
The book also highlights how sensory input can overwhelm Olive. Everyday things—like the ticking of a clock, bright lighting, or background chatter—can build up until learning feels impossible. Her teacher helps by starting the day with a sensory circuit, giving Olive a chance to regulate her body and mind.
Classroom strategies that help include:
- Allowing short sensory breaks throughout the day
- Providing tools like fidgets, doodle pads, or noise-cancelling headphones
- Creating a “calm corner” with soft lighting and quiet activities
These supports don’t just benefit children with PDA—they create calmer, more focused classrooms for everyone.
Supporting Transitions
Transitions can be particularly difficult. Olive feels more at ease when she knows what’s coming, so she uses a visual schedule to see the plan ahead. Teachers can support by:
- Using visual timetables
- Giving clear warnings before changes (“In five minutes we’ll move to maths”)
- Offering flexible options if a child feels stuck
Relationships and Inclusion
Some of the most touching parts of Olive’s Day show how peers and teachers adapt so Olive can join in. When a noisy game of hide-and-seek was too much, a friend changed it to “Find the Animal”—a small adjustment that made inclusion possible.
Teachers can build this kind of empathy by celebrating difference and explaining that everyone learns and plays in different ways.
Creating PDA-Friendly Classrooms
Becoming PDA-friendly doesn’t require a total overhaul. Small, consistent changes make a difference:
- Embedding choice and flexibility
- Building sensory-friendly environments
- Using visuals to reduce uncertainty
- Prioritising trust and relationships over pressure
When schools do this, they not only support PDA learners—they create classrooms where every child feels safer, calmer, and ready to learn.
More Than Academics
At its heart, Olive’s Day reminds us that education is not just about test scores. It’s about children feeling seen, understood, and valued for who they are. By adopting PDA-friendly practices, schools unlock the potential of children who might otherwise feel excluded.
Order Olive’s Day on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDX4GB7N/.
Source: National Autistic Society (2025). What is autism? autism.org.uk
