Black Rainbow: A Gripping Book on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
A powerful novel bringing PDA, autism, and parental struggle to life. This book on Pathological Demand Avoidance comes in with a different angle…
She doesn’t have it all.
She doesn’t even want it all.
She wants to be HEARD!
This is Sarah’s story.
Sarah is married with two children, lives in a suburban house and is an educated woman – on the surface she SHOULD have it all but…
She is seriously struggling and so is her young, misunderstood daughter. Sarah is constantly trying to conform to fit in, her parenting skills are judged and her voice is quashed.
As her own family becomes frustrated and it feels like they can’t support her, Sarah worries that she may lose her two best friends too – after all, how many times can she cancel their plans?!
When a chance meeting with a stranger has a profound impact upon her, will Sarah be able to find her voice before it’s too late? Will her friends be able to inject some laughter back into her life? And, more importantly, can she find a way to have her daughter be better understood and accepted?
**Black Rainbow** is not just a book — it’s a mirror. It’s a heart-wrenching, laugh-through-tears look at what it’s like to parent an autistic child with PDA, told through fiction grounded in lived experience. If you’ve ever felt alone, misunderstood, or exhausted — this story is for you. Buy the Book →
What Is Black Rainbow About?
Sarah seems to have everything — family, education and good routines. But she’s suffocating under pressure, second-guessing every decision, and terrified she’s losing her daughter. Sarah is trying to navigate a system with an undiagnosed, neurodivergent child; no one sees the anxiety beneath the “refusal” or the fear behind the meltdowns. When Sarah meets someone who challenges her perspective, she embarks on a journey of identity, acceptance, and understanding. The question becomes: can she find her voice — before it’s too late?
Why This Book Matters
- It gives voice to the silence within PDA families, showing the emotional weight behind the behaviour.
- It bridges fiction and advocacy — educating and empathizing at once.
- It helps parents, professionals, and carers see the person behind the diagnosis.
- It building community — reminding every PDA family: you are not alone.
Get Your Copy
Paperback Edition
£8.99 — plus postage (shipping in UK only). Paperback copies are available worldwide via Amazon – see link here>>
Black Rainbow (paperback)
Black Rainbow: A Gripping Family Drama About PDA the journey to Self-discovery and Acceptance (Paperback Edition)
63 in stock
eBook Edition
£4.99 — instant download (ePub, not Kindle)
Black Rainbow
Available worldwide on Amazon Buy on Amazon
What People Are Saying
“A beautiful book which speaks to the worry, heartbreak, and unseen battles faced by countless parents … you are not alone and it’s not your fault.” — Rachel Moseley, Principal Academic in Psychology
“Danielle has written a fiction book that mirrors real life for many families … parenting is hard but it’s nothing like this normally!” — Libby Hill, Speech & Language Therapist
About the Author
I’m Danielle Jata-Hall: autistic/ADHD parent to three PDA children, founder of PDA Parenting, and author. I wrote Black Rainbow to bring emotional depth and truth to what PDA parents experience — the heartbreak, the resilience, the love, and the fight to be understood. Read My Story
Related Resources
Further Reviews (PDA Community)
“The narrative is deeply engaging.” Sally Cat – PDA author, artist and animator
“I loved reading the book. It gave me the same feeling I get when I meet a child or young person with PDA. Danielle writes so beautifully to help people understand what it’s really like to be a PDA parent. They tell you parenting is hard but boy oh boy it’s nothing like this normally! I think a lot of people will feel validated by the book. When you realise you’re not alone, that’s powerful!” Libby Hill – Small Talk Speech and Language Therapy
“A compelling read which had me both laughing and crying!” Alice Running – PDA author of Helping Your Child with PDA Live a Healthier Life
“Black Rainbow is beautifully written, entertaining, informative, and yet at times heartbreakingly sad.” Laura Kerbey – PAST
“Filled with warmth and humour, and frequently emotional and eye-opening, Black Rainbow is ultimately an uplifting story of redemption, self-discovery, finding personal freedom and discovering your own truth.” Rebecca Huseyin – PDA blogger
“This book is amazing. Danielle has written a fiction book that mirrors real life for many families who have children with Pathological Demand Avoidance.” Steph Curtis – PDA blogger and author of PDA in the Family
“From the moment I started reading I couldn’t put it down! As an autistic parent myself the book just made sense!” Jodie Cooksey – Autistic blogger from First Time Valley Mum
“The Black Rainbow is such a great concept and a brilliant read!” Francine Swaby – Families in Focus CIC
“This is such a fantastic insight, which gave me moments of proper laughing out loud and moments of sadness. Highly recommended for parents, Sencos, teachers andTA’s.”
Jodie Clarke – Children’s Well-being Practitioner & Autism Specialist
“In a nutshell, Black Rainbow is an absolute must-read. It’s like a cup of tea for the soul—comforting, a bit eye-opening, and exactly what you need. So, don’t muck about—get yourself a copy and dive in. You won’t regret it!” Debs Aspland – Writer of Life AsPland and KinToa magazine, co-founder of Festability, creator of the BAPS awards and produces the SEND Shenanigans podcast
“Black Rainbow was so insightful, so funny and so real. I couldn’t put it down – I was so desperate to see the outcome. The journey, the pitfalls, the romance…” Tigger Pritchard – Bridging the Neurodivide
“Danielle’s story of raising a PDA child is a refreshing reminder of trusting your gut, and not bowing down to societal judgments and pressures.” Tina Mac – The PDA Parent
“This book is a must-read for anyone looking to explore themes of identity, resilience, and the power of human connection.“ Kelly Mahler – Occupational Therapist and Educator
“Black Rainbow is a beautifully recognizable story that makes you laugh and cry. Many parents of PDA kids will recognize themselves and the battles they face in this book.” Myneke ter Maat – Ploeteren website for parents in the Netherlands
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