PDA can have several meanings depending on the context:
- Public Display of Affection : This is the most common meaning, referring to acts of physical intimacy such as kissing, hugging, or holding hands in public where others can see
- Pathological Demand Avoidance : A behavioral profile often seen in people with autism, characterized by extreme avoidance of everyday demands and expectations. It involves resistance to ordinary requests, which can interfere with functioning at home or school. PDA is considered a profile within the autism spectrum rather than a separate diagnosis
- Personal Digital Assistant : A handheld electronic device used primarily in the 1990s and early 2000s for organizing personal information like appointments and contacts. PDAs have largely been replaced by smartphones
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus : A medical term for a heart defect affecting babies
In summary, PDA most commonly means "public display of affection," but it can also refer to a specific autism-related behavioral profile, an older type of electronic device, or a medical condition, depending on the context.
