Demand-Avoidance Phenomena (“Pathological”/ “Extreme” Demand Avoidance): As a biopower identity?

Presently in the United Kingdom (UK), the proposed Disorder, Demand-Avoidance Phenomena (DAP, sometimes called “Pathological”/ “Extreme” Demand Avoidance), is a “culture-bound concept”. DAP is mainly characterised as a high anxiety causing a person to display frequent avoidance of “ordinary” (non-autistic) demands, with the dominant outlook being it is a “Profile of ASD”. Despite this there has been little consideration within the literature for if “DAP Profile of ASD” should be a “culture-bound concept” in the UK?

This conference talk breaks down various factors, including actions of prominent “DAP Profile of ASD” proponents to explain how DAP has become a “culture-bound concept” in the UK. Contextualising many different debates which are generally ignored by its proponents, and typical research and practice standards which suggest that DAP should never have been allowed to form a “culture-bound concept”. Additionally, I detail how DAP is used to control various autism stakeholders. I conclude with ways to move forward, by adopting a scientific method-based approach to research & practice for DAP, thus adhering typical research & practice standards.

Conference was the Participatory Autism Research Collective: Critical Autism Studies – Autumn Workshop 19th October 2021.

It was an online event held over Zoom.

I have added to the material presented yesterday, to add relevant, or necessary information.