The 7th Annual
PDA North America Conference

If you’re interested in purchasing the recordings from the 3-Day LIVE Conference, you can purchase individual presentations at the link below!

You will have viewing access through August 31st, 2026.

PURCHASE RECORDINGS

The PDA North America Conference is for parents/caregivers & family members of PDA individuals, professionals working with PDA people, and PDAers themselves. PDA stands for Pathological Demand Avoidance, or is we prefer, Pervasive Drive for Autonomy. 

This is a hybrid conference, all done LIVE and recorded for later view, offering virtual and in-person options. Our in-person event takes place in Skokie, IL just outside of Chicago and we welcome you to join us in community!
PURCHASE RECORDINGS

DAY 1 (February 27) DETAILS:

Feb 27th – PDA Health & Wellness

Live Presentations (all virtual & recorded)

Day 1 will be a fully virtual event and recorded for all ticket purchasers. All speakers will be tuning in virtually as will attendees. There is no in-person option. (All times listed in Central time.)

9:30am – 4:30pm Central – All Virtual Audience

Agenda: 

Welcome from Diane Gould, Founder & Exec. Director

9:30-9:45am

PDA-Informed Mindfulnesswith Emelda “E” De Coteau

9:45-10:30am

Short Break

10:30-10:45am

Supporting PDAers in Self-Care and Everyday Lifewith Laura Hellfeld, Neurodivergent Nurse Consultant

10:45-12:00pm

PDA Conversations with Ashley (16), Teen PDAer

12:00-12:15pm

Lunch Break

12:15-1:00pm

Everything is Connected to Everything: Improving the Health of Autistic, ADHD, and PDA Patients through the Lifespanwith Mel Houser, M.D.

1:00-2:15pm

PDA Conversations with Maya (20), Young adult PDAer

2:15-2:30pm

Short Break

2:30-2:45pm

PDA Conversations with PDA siblings Katie (20) & Ben (18)

2:45-3:00pm

Feeling All The Feelings: Regulation & Interoceptionwith Kelsie “Mick” Olds

3:00pm-4:15pm

Closing words from Diane Gould

4:15-4:30pm

DAY 2 & 3 (March 5th & 6th, 2026) DETAILS:

Live Presentations (Hybrid – virtual & in-person)

Presentations will be live from our venue outside Chicago. All presentations will be presented Live to our in-person audience and streamed live via zoom and recorded for all ticket purchasers.

DAY 2 – March 5th – 9:30am – 3:30pm Central – Hybrid audience

Virtual & in-person streamed Live from Skokie, IL outside Chicago

Agenda: 

8:30am-9:15am – Coffee Connection & breakfast for In-person audience

9:30am – 3:30pm – virtual audience 

4pm-6pm – Happy Hour for in-person

Virtual – streamed Live from Skokie, IL outside Chicago

Welcome with Diane Gould

9:30-9:45am

PDA Experience Report Review 

with Melissa McKenzie & Michele Kleinmann

9:45-10:30am

Unlocking the Power of the PDA Brain

with Jennifer I. Huffman, PhD, ABPdN

10:30-11:45am

The PDA Safe Circle: Introduction

with Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman

12:00-1:00pm

Lunch Break (with discussion groups for virtual audience) 

1:00-2:00pm

Grounding with Emelda

2:05-2:15pm

The PDA Safe Circle: Workshop

with Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman

2:15-3:15pm

PDA Conversation with Theo, young adult PDAer

& Closing Words with Diane Gould

3:15-3:30pm

Happy Hour (for in person guests)

4:00-6:00pm

Support Group Meet & Greet (for virtual & in-person)

5:00-6:00pm

 

DAY 3 – March 6th – 9:30am – 4:00pm – Hybrid audience 

Virtual & in-person streamed Live from Skokie, IL outside Chicago

Agenda: 

8:30am-9:15am – Coffee Connection & breakfast for In-person audience

9:30am – 4:15pm – Hybrid audience 

Virtual – streamed Live from Skokie, IL outside Chicago

Welcome with Diane Gould, founder & exec. director

& Grounding with Emelda

9:30-9:45am

Parenting PDA as a Neurodivergent Mom

with Sunita Kapahi Theiss

9:45-11:00am

Short Break

11:00-11:15am

Discussion with PDA-Affirming Professionals:

with Stephanie Arias, OT, 

Elena Kaiser, Art Therapist, and Dr. Karen Rosian, Psychologist 

11:15-12:15pm

Lunch Break (with discussion groups for virtual audience)

12:15-1:15pm

Grounding with Emelda

1:20-1:25pm

Demystifying Learning for PDAers of All Ages

with Zach Morris, M.Ed.

1:25-2:45pm

Short Break

2:45-3:00pm

PDA & Me: Insights from a Fully PDA Life

with Lauren Brown, PDAer

3:00-4:00pm

Closing Comments

4:00-4:15pm

In-person attendees will have the opportunity to attend a 8:30am morning coffee conversation with attendees for community connection.

PURCHASE RECORDINGS

2026 SPONSORS

FAQs

The Conference is held at The Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago North Shore in Skokie, IL conveniently located for O'Hare Airport just north of Chicago.

If traveling by plane, we recommend flying into O'Hare. 

If you plan on staying at the hotel here's the group code you can use to book. Or if you prefer to call to book, please tell them group booking code PNA. (Not to be confused with PDA!)

If you're interested in sponsoring our Conference please have a look at our sponsorship opportunities here then reach out to Sara O'Keefe: info@pdanorthamerica.org 

If you're interested in sponsoring a person to attend, please reach out to Sara O'Keefe: info@pdanorthamerica.org 

Yes we offer scholarships for virtual attendees. We do not turn anyone away from attending the virtual event. If you are in financial need, please contact Sara O'Keefe for a sliding scale: info@pdanorthamerica.org 

We at PDA North America love children. We do however worry that the conference is not a comfortable place for most children. There is a lot of quiet listening, sitting in one location for long periods and discussion on topics that may be uncomfortable.

We do not provide any groups or events for children but the hotel is child friendly overall, and does have an indoor pool.  At the same time, we respect that you are the expert on your child and should make the decision if they should or should not be included. Children will be treated like any additional family member and will need a ticket to attend as seats are limited. Thanks in advance for understanding. Feel free to email if you have questions. info@pdanorthamerica.org

Not currently at this time. At this time we are currently not but we are exploring options to better serve our community. We can send you a certificate of attendance if that would help with your licensing board. 

Please email us after the event if you are in need of a certificate: info@pdanorthameric.org

A light breakfast (bagels, muffins, fruit, etc.) are provided each morning. Coffee, tea and water will be provided all day each day. 

A delicious buffet lunch is included in your ticket price for Thursday & Friday. 

There will be a happy hour on Thursday night for all in-person attendees with light bites and soft drinks. (Alcoholic drinks available for purchase.)

Yes! The Zoom chat will be open throughout all presentations on all three days with moderators from PDA North America.

You can email info@pdanorthamerica.org and we will do our best to accommodate you.

If you are interested in volunteering your time, please contact us: info@pdanorthamerica.org 

PDA North America does not provide a shuttle service, but there are many taxi and Uber services available at the airport. 

Now Available