Off-Label
Off Label is an AI-hosted podcast by Dr. Steve Rondeau’s digital twin. It explores the limits of DSM-based diagnosis and the promise of brain-informed psychiatry. From mislabeled symptoms to overlooked patterns, we examine how mental health can evolve beyond outdated frameworks toward something more precise, personal, and real.
Off-Label
Pathological Demand Avoidance & Brain Slowing: What EEG Reveals About Shutdown Moments
Episode Description:
What if the child who “refuses to try” is actually neurologically overwhelmed?
In this episode, we explore the neurophysiology of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and a lesser-known phenomenon called Demand Task Cognitive Slowing (DTCS)—where cognitive performance slows dramatically in response to pressure, demands, or social expectations.
Drawing from recent EEG research, we uncover:
- The brainwave patterns linked to PDA and DTCS
- Why traditional behavioral strategies often backfire
- How excessive slowing looks on EEG—and what it means functionally
- How schools and therapists can adapt to avoid triggering shutdowns
- The difference between opposition and cognitive overload
Whether you’re a clinician, educator, or parent navigating PDA, this episode offers science-backed insight into why “just ask nicely” isn’t enough—and what approaches may actually help.