PDA: Not What You Think It Is!

PDA, commonly known as Pathological Demand Avoidance, is well understood and accepted in the U.K. but is only now becoming recognized here in the U.S. Unfortunately, the name implies that the core issue is an intentional avoidance of demands, which blames the child (and often their parents) and leads to interventions that are at best ineffective and at worst traumatic. In reality, PDA is a neurological difference – a subtype of autism that is better understood as a Pervasive Drive for Autonomy. PDAers are persistently misunderstood (as are their parents), and they require a unique approach to parenting, intervention, and education. It is essential that all mental health clinicians learn about PDA. This workshop will provide an overview of the core features and approaches for intervention and support.
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What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the six core features of PDA.

2. Describe differences between PDA and ODD.

3. Identify at least three ways to support a PDAer.


Course Outline


1. PDA background/history.
2. Core features of PDA.
3. Other possible features.
4. Masking/camouflaging.
5. PDA compared to non-PDA autism.
6. PDA compared to ODD.
7. What PDA is NOT.
8. PDA case example.
9. Recommendations. 
10. Resources.

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Course Lessons

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Dr. Donna Henderson

YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Donna Henderson has been a clinical psychologist for over 30 years. She is passionate about identifying and supporting autistic individuals, particularly those who camouflage, and she is co-author (with Drs. Sarah Wayland and Jamell White) of two books: Is This Autism? A guide for clinicians and everyone else and Is This Autism? A companion guide for diagnosing. Dr. Henderson’s professional home is The Stixrud Group in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she provides neuropsychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults who would like to understand themselves better. She is a sought-after lecturer on the less obvious presentations of autism, autistic girls and women, PDA, and on parenting children with complex profiles. She also enjoys providing neurodiversity-affirmative training and consultation for other healthcare professionals. 

CONTACT DR. HENDERSON
drdonnahenderson@gmail.com | 301-565-0534
 
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