I am excited to share a continuing education opportunity about PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance, sometimes referred to as Pervasive Drive for Autonomy), for those of you wanting to learn more! I’ll be participating in a 2-part webinar on April 8, 2025 with AEP Connections specific to PDA, along with Kelsie Bacon LCSW-S, RPT. You can attend both parts, or just one. And, a 20% discount will be applied if you decide to register for both!

Here are the specifics:

Part 1 with Kelsie Bacon: Introduction to Pathological Demand Avoidance: Exploring Demand Avoidant Behaviors, and Strategies and Supports for the Autistic Community

Join us for this live interactive webinar as Kelsie discusses the core characteristics of PDA, what constitutes a demand, and the socially based approaches used to avoid everyday demands. This webinar will briefly touch on the history and the current criticism of PDA. You can register and read all the details here.

Part 2 with Linda: Supporting PDA Individuals with Declarative Language

Declarative language is an extremely effective tool that supports social information processing across social learning styles, when it is used with intentionality and care. PDA, or Pathological Demand Avoidance, is a unique autistic profile where increased thoughtfulness around communication is especially important to ensure the PDA individual feels safe. Interestingly, even though declarative language is generally known to be helpful to PDAers, some PDA adults share their skepticism and even dislike for this speaking style.

In this course, participants will not only learn what declarative language is, but we will dive deeper to explore and truly understand the foundation and heart of this therapeutic approach, and subsequently the nuances and shifts that are most important for PDA individuals. Participants will learn how to create declarative dialogue that works to establish safety, helps reduce anxiety, shares important information, and prioritizes autonomy - all essential elements for communication with PDA individuals. In addition, common pitfalls will be shared so that participants can spot declarative statements that may not be helpful. You can register here!

As I mentioned, you can join Kelsie’s webinar, or mine…

…or join both for a 20% discount!

And the good news is that both sessions will be **recorded** and available through June 12, 2025.

So, it is okay if you cannot make it there live!

Have a great week!

Learning Opportunity about PDA & Declarative Language on April 8th!

More Direct!