I’m Not Upside Down, I’m Downside Up

A Children’s Book About PDA, Autism, and Understanding Differences

What happens when the world keeps calling you different — but you just see it your way?
That’s the heart of I’m Not Upside Down, I’m Downside Up — a children’s book that gently explains Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and autism through the eyes of a child.

Co-written by Danielle Jata-Hall of PDA Parenting, and illustrated by Mollie Sherwin, this uplifting story helps children, families, and educators understand what it’s like to see and feel the world differently.

It’s not a story about difference — it’s a story celebrating it.

Through simple words and beautiful illustrations, children discover that being upside down to others can actually be the right way up for you.

Helping children understand PDA and autism through empathy

• Helps children recognise their emotions and sensory experiences
• Opens meaningful conversations about autism, PDA, and neurodiversity
• Perfect for classrooms, libraries, and bedtime reading
• Ideal for families, teachers, and professionals wanting to nurture understanding and acceptance

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Available now from Amazon

[Buy the Book →] Available on Amazon here>>
Available in paperback and as an eBook.

“A brilliant insight into the mind of the PDA child and a unique and engaging guidebook for those who need to understand it. ie everybody!” 
 
Melanie Sykes Broadcaster and editor in chief of The Frank Magazine

Press Reviews

K.I. Al-Ghani – University Lecturer & international author of books on Autism

This is a book that takes you on a journey into another world – the world of PDA. It is a topsy turvy world. A world where the expected quickly turns into the unexpected. A scary, unpredictable place, where senses are skewed, where the reasonable is often unreasonable, where the illogical can seem logical. A visitor to such a world may feel bewildered and confused, but the journey is so compelling that you become captivated. You meet a character who is clever, witty, exciting, creative and powerful. However, if you look deeper, you will experience the fear, the anguish and the misery of having to live every day in such a world, and you will become unbelievably moved.

Dr. Wenn B. Lawson (PhD)

This brilliant quirky story highlights an inner PDA ‘world’. It increases our understanding, fights stigma and shows what works. For Autistic PDAers little legitimate ‘inside out’ explanations, exist. So, read this book many, many times. Once you get ‘us’ it will revolutionise your understanding!

Jodie Isitt, author of children’s books on autism

This book captures the truly brilliant, creative and unique minds of a PDAer, laugh-out-loud funny, whilst heart wrenchingly sad at almost seconds apart, which 100% encapsulates the true essence and ever-changing emotions of our wonderful kids!

Raelene Dundon, Autistic Educational & Developmental Psychologist and Author, MPsych(Ed&Dev), MChildPlayTherapy

Drawing from their lived experience and professional work with PDAers, the authors have produced a clever, insightful, honest and entertaining glimpse into the mind of a child with Pathological Demand Avoidance. For preteen PDAers, reading this book will be an opportunity to see elements of themselves represented on the page, helping them see that someone understands them and that they are not alone, and giving them a tool they can use to explain their experiences to others and advocate for their needs. For parents and professionals, this book is essential reading to gain better insight and understanding of the PDAers in their lives. Highly Recommended.

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