Lavender Spectrum Health

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Autism Isn’t a Character Flaw

One of the most misunderstood aspects of PDA autism is the assumption that demand avoidance reflects laziness, oppositional behavior, manipulation, or a lack of responsibility.

In reality, many PDA autistic people care deeply. We often notice details others miss, think creatively, solve problems in novel ways, and bring extraordinary empathy and justice-oriented thinking to their relationships and communities.

Common strengths of PDA autistic individuals include:

✨ Creative and outside-the-box problem solving
✨ Strong sense of fairness and advocacy for others
✨ Deep empathy and emotional insight
✨ Adaptability in complex or unpredictable situations
✨ Curiosity, imagination, and innovative thinking
✨ Ability to question assumptions and improve systems that don’t work
✨ Authenticity and willingness to be ourselves

What can look like “refusal” from the outside is often a nervous system responding to a perceived loss of autonomy or overwhelming pressure.

When we replace demands with collaboration, flexibility, choices, curiosity, and respect, PDA autistic people are able to access our strengths more consistently and sustainably.

The goal shouldn’t be to make PDA autistic people appear more compliant.

The goal should be to create environments where we can thrive.

We’re hiring at Lavender Spectrum Health and this is not your typical primary care job.

We’re looking for a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant who wants to help build the future of q***r, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed healthcare in the Pacific Northwest.

At Lavender Spectrum Health, we do things differently:
- 60-minute intakes and 30-minute follow-ups
- Deep relationship-based care
- Gender-affirming medicine integrated into primary care
- Reproductive and sexual healthcare, including abortion care
- A collaborative, mission-driven team
- A model intentionally designed to reduce burnout and allow thoughtful medicine

But there’s more.

We’re also exploring an opportunity for the right candidate to serve as an Associate Medical Director for our affiliated electrolysis clinic — helping expand access to gender-affirming electrolysis and local anesthetic support for trans patients navigating hair removal care.

This is an unusual opportunity to help shape not just a clinic, but an ecosystem of affirming care.

Ideal for clinicians who:
- Want meaningful patient relationships
- Care deeply about LGBTQ+ communities
- Are intellectually curious and growth-oriented
- Want leadership opportunities beyond traditional primary care
- Believe healthcare can be both compassionate and financially sustainable

Located in Vancouver, WA near Portland, OR.

If you’ve ever felt like medicine could be done better — this may be your place.



More info here:
 https://www.lavenderspectrumhealth.com/career-opportunities