Mentoring for PDA Learners
Specialist, relationship-led mentoring that helps PDA children feel safe enough to grow
Many of the families who come to us are living with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) every day. They are not looking for explanations or strategies pulled from a book. They are looking for someone who can step in calmly, read the room, and not make things harder by pushing.
At SEN Manny Mentor, most of the young people we support have PDA profiles. Our approach has grown directly from that experience. We work in a way that is flexible, emotionally attuned, and led by the young person, not by targets or expectations.
We build trust first, through curiosity, play, and shared experiences that feel genuinely enjoyable. When a child feels safe with someone, pressure drops. Communication opens up. Confidence starts to return. Growth becomes possible without force.
This is PDA mentoring that stays human. No professional mask. No agenda-driven sessions. Just steady, thoughtful support that adapts to the child in front of us.
What PDA Mentoring Looks Like
Every session begins by tuning in, not directing. We arrive with ideas, creativity, and openness, then follow what the young person is drawn to.
That might mean gaming together, building worlds in Roblox, exploring drama and role play, creating voiceovers or audio projects, experimenting with coding, talking about space, AI, anime, or something completely unexpected. Curiosity leads the way.
Through play, humour, and shared exploration, we create moments where a young person feels relaxed enough to engage. Learning, confidence, communication, and life skills are woven in naturally, without being labelled or imposed.
Sessions are designed to feel fun and low-pressure. Many young people do not even realise they are learning. They are simply enjoying themselves, feeling capable, and discovering that being with someone can feel safe again.
Why Families Choose SEN Manny Mentor
Our PDA mentoring is different because we work with the child’s nervous system, not against it. We stay emotionally attuned, flexible in our thinking, and responsive in the moment.
Parents often tell us it feels like a relief to have someone who understands PDA in practice, not just in theory. Someone who knows when to step back, when to follow, and when to gently introduce something new.
We work closely with families, sharing insight and adjusting approaches together, so support feels joined-up rather than fragmented.
How Progress Happens
Progress for PDA learners rarely looks dramatic. It shows up quietly.
They suggest an idea.
They initiate a game.
They laugh.
They try something new without being asked.
In PDA mentoring, progress is often found in these small shifts rather than visible outcomes.
As trust deepens, many young people begin to take steps forward in their own way. That might be exploring learning again, developing independence, or feeling more settled day to day. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is forced.
This is progress that holds because it grows from safety.
PDA Mentoring for EOTAS and Home Education
We provide PDA mentoring through bespoke EOTAS and home education packages across London, Hertfordshire, and the UK.
Support is shaped around emotional readiness first, with learning introduced only when it feels manageable. Plans stay flexible and evolve as the young person changes.
We often work alongside families, local authorities, and wider teams to ensure support feels steady, thoughtful, and sustainable over time.
For some young people, sessions focus on connection and regulation. For others, PDA mentoring gradually opens doors to learning, confidence, and wider engagement. Both are equally valid.
Real Stories of Progress
“Our son is ASD/PDA. Faisal has been instrumental in his development, building confidence, life skills and understanding. He really gets him. They have so much fun together. We have a lot of hope for the future. Our son wouldn’t have made this progress without Faisal’s unique approach and understanding of children with complex needs.”
- K.M.
(EOTAS Parent)
*Update*
This same young person now approaches learning with curiosity and pride. Through ongoing PDA mentoring, sessions remain led by his interests. He laughs, explores ideas, and feels good about himself again.
Our SEN Experience
Our small, hand-picked team brings extensive experience from SEN schools, EOTAS provision, alternative education, and home-based support.
Much of our work has focused on neurodivergent young people who became disengaged after repeated pressure or misunderstanding. Over time, we developed a way of working that is relational, creative, and deeply responsive, with a strong focus on PDA mentoring shaped by real-world experience.
Every young person is supported by more than one perspective. Behind each session is a wider team who reflect together and adapt support so it remains well held over time.
Explore Our Specialist Mentoring
Every learner’s journey is different. Explore how SEN Manny Mentor supports young people through relationship-led mentoring.
Next Steps
If you are looking for PDA mentoring that is low-demand, relationship-led, and genuinely child-centred, we’d be glad to talk.
Get in touch to explore whether our PDA mentoring approach is the right fit.
