Beautiful boy
2022 - ongoing
Beautiful boy is a personal and intimate exploration of my journey as a parent to a child diagnosed with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Autism. As I navigated the complexities of PDA Autism, I sought to understand and process the experiences of both my son and myself. PDA Autism is a distinct autism profile marked by an intense need to avoid everyday demands, leading to heightened anxiety, meltdowns, and explosive behaviours. Unlike other autism profiles, individuals with PDA Autism often possess advanced social skills, which makes them excellent at masking, and makes this unique profile challenging to recognise and diagnose, as many are unaware of PDA Autism 's subtle yet profound characteristics. As I delved deeper into the world of PDA Autism, I discovered the importance of adapting my parenting approach to meet my son’s distinct needs. Traditional parenting methods often exacerbate anxiety in PDA Autistic individuals, necessitating creative and unconventional strategies. My approach with this project was not only to create images myself, but also give my son a camera, involve him in the image making allowing us to view the world through his eyes. It also perfectly suited his PDA temperament, as he thrives when he feels in control. This project seeks to raise awareness about PDA Autism, challenge conventional notions of neurodiversity, and celebrate the unique gifts and perspectives that individuals like my son bring to our world.
