Izzy Johnston, wife of McFly drummer Harry Judd, has opened up about their child’s diagnosis of pathological demand avoidance (PDA). Speaking on Dr Alex George’s podcast, Stompcast, she described the daily challenges faced by her child, who was not named, and the family’s journey to understanding the condition.
PDA is characterised by an intense avoidance of everyday demands and a need for control, according to the PDA Society. Johnston explained that traditional parenting approaches often fail, as children with PDA see requests as threats to their autonomy. “From the moment a child wakes up, they are being told to eat, get dressed, brush their teeth. These anxieties form — that people are putting pressure on them,” she said.
The condition, linked to autism, can lead to mood swings, social avoidance, and behaviours that are often misinterpreted as defiance. Johnston noted that she has adapted her parenting style to reduce demands, such as not asking questions or leaving clothes out silently. “A demand is too anxiety-provoking,” she added.
Johnston also spoke about the societal judgment she faced. “There are rigid expectations of how children should behave. For a neurodivergent child, they physically cannot sit. You go through a grief process that things aren’t as you thought,” she said. The PDA Society emphasises that with understanding and support, individuals with PDA can thrive, and the label can help explain difficulties to others.
