Join us for a webinar with Laura Phoenix on Somatic Tools for Trauma Recovery

When we feel badly, it isn’t only in our minds or in our behaviors–but in our bodies that the pain is found.  When that pain comes–in whole or in part–from unresolved trauma, our bodies are a powerful site for recovery.  Learn about the body’s role in how we feel and how we heal through the practice of Somatic Experiencing.

• Explore some of the science of mind-body connection
• Learn to feel the shifting state of your nervous system response–before you’re too charged to make a change
• Connect to yourself through practice shifting from thought to body sensation

BIO: Laura Phoenix (she/they) is passionate about helping people tap into the body’s role in how we feel and how we heal. As the founder of Warrior Pose Yoga & Healing, Laura has guided thousands of people to discover new ways of feeling better, safer, and more able to grow alongside the trauma they carry.

Join us for a live Q&A with Kelsie Olds, The Occuplaytional Therapist

Kelsie Olds, “The Occuplaytional Therapist”, shares passionately every day online with thousands of parents, teachers, professionals–and adults simply seeking to heal childhood wounds in their own selves–about the healing and power in play as the core meaningful occupation that underlies childhood. Kelsie is the author of “Your Child’s Point of View: Understanding the Reasons Kids Do Unreasonable Things.”

www.occuplaytional.com

This will be recorded and sent to you after the live event within 48hrs. Live attendance is not required.

8am-4pm EST

Holiday Inn Washington – College Park

Awareness of the PDA profile of autism is spreading across America, but there is still a drastic need for deeper understanding. For our last regional workshop of 2024, we’re heading to Maryland/D.C. area to bring a full day event titled Understanding The PDA Autistic Profile.

This full day workshop for parents/caregivers/guardians, therapists, educators will work on a enhancing your knowledge of PDA and focus on effective ways to support these anxious, autistic demand avoidant individuals. Recognizing PDA also has the benefit of providing a broader and more accurate sense of autism.

Are you new to learning about PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance/Persistent Drive for Autonomy)?  Want a refresher on what PDA is and how to best accommodate it? Are you a teacher or practitioner looking to learn more about a learner or client?

You’ve found the right place. This is a monthly webinar led by PDA North America founder and licensed therapist, Diane Gould and adult PDAer, Brook Madera of No Pressure PDA. This webinar is for families, individuals and professionals who have recently heard of PDA (pathological demand avoidance) and want to know more. Diane will do an hour long presentation and answer questions at the end should time allow. Participants are also welcome to attend our regular monthly webinars.

Held the first Thursday each month for 90 minutes at 7:00PM CST. Registration is required. This webinar will be recorded and available to all after the live event. $15 suggested donation.

Join us for a webinar with Amanda Preston, MPNL, RSW

This presentation will look at PDA and how it intersects with the adoption and fostering journey. Attendees will learn how PDA overlaps with other common diagnoses present through adoption, how to support the unique needs of PDA children through adoption/foster care, and how to support families to thrive.

BIO:Amanda Preston is a Registered Social Worker with a Masters in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. She is the founder of Deer Creek Family Support & Therapy, Amanda Preston Co. and the founder of a national charity that supports adoptive and foster families. Amanda is the co-author of Foster Parent Collaboration and has hosted numerous conferences, workshops, round tables and symposiums on various topics relating to adoption, foster care, and neurodiversity. At home, Amanda is the parent to 8 neurodivergent children, including one with PDA. www.amandaprestonco.com

Join us for a live Q&A with Linda Murphy on Declarative Language & Co-Regulation

Linda Murphy is an SLP & RDI® Consultant. She leads trainings on the topic of supporting communication and learning across social learning styles, and authored Declarative Language Handbook and Co-Regulation Handbook. She was a keynote at the PDANA 2024 Conference and has taken Level 1 & 2 Trainings.

This will be recorded and sent to you after the event within 48hrs.

Please submit your Declarative Language questions here in advance: https://forms.gle/AsecnaUvKFseWeBu7

Join us for a webinar with Brandi Olden – Eating Disorder and Pediatric Dietitian and Mom of PDA’er

When we feel badly, it isn’t only in our minds or in our behaviors–but in our bodies that the pain is found.  When that pain comes–in whole or in part–from unresolved trauma, our bodies are a powerful site for recovery.  Learn about the body’s role in how we feel and how we heal through the practice of Somatic Experiencing.

• Explore some of the science of mind-body connection
• Learn to feel the shifting state of your nervous system response–before you’re too charged to make a change
• Connect to yourself through practice shifting from thought to body sensation

BIO: Brandi Olden, a seasoned Registered Dietitian at Creating Peace with Food, LLC, wears many hats—including Nutrition Therapist, Supervisor, Parent Coach, and Speaker. She applies over 20 years of experience to empower clients to break free from diet culture and trust their innate body wisdom through trauma informed approaches such as Liberation Psychology, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Health At Every Size (HAES), Responsive Feeding Therapy, and Intuitive Eating. Brandi’s personal experiences of living with ADHD and autoimmune disorders and being a parent to an AudHD-PDA, non-binary teenager, enhance her empathetic approach. She specializes in supporting neurodivergent grownups and children with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and eating disorders while also providing clinical supervision & training to medical & mental health professionals and educators. Beyond work, she’s a Meditation Teacher and Reiki Master, adding a sprinkle of zen to her clinical practice. Brandi delivers her all to clients, crafting healing paths as unique as their relationships with food and their bodies—because you absolutely can have your cake and eat it too. www.creatingpeacewithfood.com

PDA North America Training Program – Level 2

Join us on January 24th for the Level 2 PDA North America Training Program created by team of autistic experts. This course was created for professionals only. Led by Diane Gould, Founder of PDANA and LCSW, Zach Morris, Education Consultant & Homeschool Advisor, and Sandra McConnell, Certified PDA Trainer and Parent Consultant.

In this training we will discuss anecdotal cases and/or students and give you an activity to complete during your training.

The training will take place via Zoom and will NOT be recorded. All ticket purchasers must attend this live in order to receive the certificate of completion.