I thought I would write something up while I am still riding the high from the 2025 sixth annual PDA North America Conference. This year is no different. I am in awe of the speakers and attendees. I am confident that it was the best conference ever. In time I will freak out that we can never have such a great again. But then I will calm myself down as I focus on the community and what PDA North America means to me.
On a personal level, The PDA conference is my happy place. There is no other space where I have ever felt as comfortable. That seems outrageous since it is a place full of people and a ton of work. I have finally realized that I am not so good at putting my emotions into words. And I can’t find words for why the PDA community is so special. Random words that come to mind are:
- Courage
- Authentic
- Caring
- Generous
- Creative
- Accepting
- Relentless
- Eager to help
These are just a few. One of my main goals of PDA North America is to fight the isolation and judgement that PDA individuals and families experience. At the conference, I see this in action.
I am still processing being named PDA by Brook Madera in her presentation. It was right after last year’s conference when I got my autism diagnosis. Being part of this community has personally benefitted me so much. I guess it is not by accident that I started PDA North America.
Like most PDAers, I love learning, and I learned so much at the conference. Not only in the formal sessions with such smart presenters but in every one of the discussion groups. And even from the feedback I got from people about changes to make and things to do better.
I guess the purpose of this Insight is to say a huge and sincere thank you to everyone who had any part of the 6th annual conference.
Hope to see you soon.
