Join Us for the virtual PDA North America Health and Wellness Conference on September 25th!

On Friday, September 25th, 2026 from 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Central (CST), PDA North America will host a one-day virtual conference dedicated entirely to the lived reality of PDA HeaLth & Wellness.

CONFERENCE AGENDA:

9:30 AM – 10 AM
Welcome & Grounding Exercise
with Diane Gould, Founder & Executive Director & Emelda “E” De Coteau, Mindfulness Facilitator

10:00 AM -11:15 AM
Running on Empty: Sleep, Nutrition & the PDA Nervous System
with Laura Hellfeld, RN, MSN, PHN, CNL

​11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Navigating healthcare systems for your PDA Child
with parents of PDAers, Meeyoung Kim & Ruth Hevelone

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
“I Created a Dream Job I Can’t Actively Participate In”
with Patrick Casale, MA, LCMHC 

12:45 PM -1:15 PM
Navigating Healthcare Systems from a PDAer & Medical Doctor
with Dr. Joy, the PDA Doc

Lunch – 1:15 PM -1:40 PM (25MIN)

1:40 PM -1:50 PM
Optional grounding exercise
with Emelda (“E”) De Coteau, Mindfulness Facilitator

1:50 PM – 3:05 PM
Mapping the Sensory Needs of PDA Individuals
with Stephanie Arias, OTR/L

3:05 PM -3:35 PM
Navigating psychiatric Medication with PDA Individuals
with Janine Michaelson, PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

3:35 PM – 4:50 PM
The Body as a Pathway for Feeling Good (or Neutral): Is it really possible?
with Nyck Walsh, MA, LPC

4:50 PM – 5:00 PM
Closing words by our founder, Diane Gould, LCSW

You’ll hear from voices that truly understand—from those with lived experience and those working on the front lines.