Defiance, opposition, pathalogical demand avoidance, are symptoms rather than diagnoses. They are behaviours resulting from a mix of genetic, physiological and psychological protective mechanisms. Understanding how these mechanisms function and interact is essential to learning how to best support these individuals throughout their development and ongoing lives. 

Utilising the Internal Family Systems model I provide an understanding of the psychological protective process of defiance which is helping parents, educators and support services to support these individuals. Through understanding, external and self expectations can be restructured and appropriate supports can be provided for the individual and those caring for them.