Low Demand, High Trust: Supporting Demand Avoidant Learners in Class

A practical session exploring how to support children who experience demand avoidance. We look at why conventional behaviour management approaches often backfire, how small shifts in language can make the same request feel manageable rather than threatening, and what to do at the first sign of overwhelm. This isn’t about lowering expectations; it’s about removing unnecessary demands so children have capacity for learning.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand demand avoidance as anxiety, not defiance
• Recognise early signs of demand overload before behaviour escalates
• Use language that reduces pressure whilst achieving the same outcomes
• Respond to resistance in ways that de-escalate rather than increase threat