PDA North America - Pathological Demand Avoidance

PDA North America - Pathological Demand Avoidance Our mission is bold. We want to spread awareness of PDA to parents, individuals, educators and therapists throughout the US and Canada.
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Our mission is to provide advocacy, education, and resources to autistic PDA individuals, others who identify as PDA and their families along with the professionals who support them. We want families to have a place to turn for support and guidance. We want professionals to be able to receive training, consultation and information in order to effectively teach or treat PDAers. And we want PDAers t

o know that they are understood. In short, to build a strong and vibrant community for this underserved population.

Parents of PDA children often receive endless advice about limiting screen time—but what if the conversation is missing ...
06/09/2026

Parents of PDA children often receive endless advice about limiting screen time—but what if the conversation is missing the bigger picture?

For many PDA children, screens can provide regulation, recovery, autonomy, creativity, and connection. When we shift from control to curiosity, we can better understand the role screens are playing and reduce the power struggles that so often surround them.

Comment "Screentime" and we'll send you the direct link to the article by Amanda Diekman () along with a webinar by Brook Madera, () PDAer & parent to PDA children, called "Screentime of SCREAMtime?" all about navigating a low demand lifestyle with screentime.

🚨 NEXT WEEK: PDA: A Father's PerspectiveBeing a dad/male-identifying caregiver to a PDA child can feel like living life ...
06/08/2026

🚨 NEXT WEEK: PDA: A Father's Perspective
Being a dad/male-identifying caregiver to a PDA child can feel like living life on "hard mode."

It's not just the parenting challenges, it's the invisible stress, the isolation, and the societal blind spots that can make support feel scarce.

Join PDAer & PDA dad, PJ "Starling" Letourneau, as he shares what fathers are actually navigating: how PDA life shapes them, how they cope, and why their stories need to be heard.

For PDA male-identifying caregivers, their partners, and the professionals who support PDA families.

📅 Thursday, June 18 | 7:00 PM CST

🎟️ Comment PDADPerspective for the link to sign up for next week's event
& for our FREE PDA Day Dad's discussion video

🎉 Now Available for Free in the Learning Lab!Our Autism in the Black Community webinar featuring Dr. Destiny Huff and Ma...
06/05/2026

🎉 Now Available for Free in the Learning Lab!

Our Autism in the Black Community webinar featuring Dr. Destiny Huff and Maria Davis-Pierre is now available to watch at your own pace—completely free.

This important conversation explores the unique experiences, challenges, and strengths of Black autistic individuals and families, offering valuable insights for parents, professionals, and community members alike.

📺 Watch anytime. Learn at your own pace. Share with your community: https://buff.ly/mpKih8i

Then, join us on July 23 at 6 PM CST when Dr. Huff and Maria Davis-Pierre return for a LIVE Q&A on Autism in the Black Community + PDA: https://buff.ly/R5AqEMv

💬 Have a question you'd like them to address?
Submit it in advance here: https://buff.ly/Nn1hIZn

Bring your questions, deepen the conversation, and connect with others in the community during this free live event.

💜 Watch the webinar. Submit your questions. Join the Q&A.

🚨 Ever Wonder What Happens to PDAers When They Grow Up? 🚨Join Karla Pretorius 🧠💛 — Psychologist, PhD Researcher, ADHDer ...
06/04/2026

🚨 Ever Wonder What Happens to PDAers When They Grow Up? 🚨

Join Karla Pretorius 🧠💛 — Psychologist, PhD Researcher, ADHDer & PDAer — as she shares her personal journey and a story of hope for PDAers navigating adulthood.

🗓 Thursday, 7/16 | 2 PM CST

PDA isn’t “just defiance.” Understanding it can change everything—for parents, partners, friends, professionals… and PDAers themselves. Discover how self-advocacy, insight, and authentic support help PDAers thrive on their own terms.

✨ Curious. Inspired. Ready for hope? Don’t miss this!
📌 Comment PDAGrownUp to reserve your spot today!

"Not right now." What if that wasn't a communication breakdown? What if it was a type of communication?For PDA individu...
06/04/2026

"Not right now."

What if that wasn't a communication breakdown?

What if it was a type of communication?

For PDA individuals, readiness, processing time, and autonomy can have a profound impact on how information is received.

💬 Comment "PDAconsent" and we'll send you:

🎥 Registration information for:
Consent and Communication with PDA Individuals
A live webinar with Linda K. Murphy, MS, CCC-SLP,
author of The Declarative Language Handbook
🗓 June 11th at 7 PM Central, 🎬 Replay included

📖 Links to Parts 1 & 2 of Linda K. Murphy's PDA Insights blog series:
Consent and Communication

Because meaningful communication isn't just about what we say—it's also about when, how, and whether someone is ready to receive it. 🎯

☀️ Is the thought of summer already stressing you out?You're not alone.For many PDAers, summer means disrupted routines,...
06/02/2026

☀️ Is the thought of summer already stressing you out?

You're not alone.

For many PDAers, summer means disrupted routines, increased expectations, social pressures, camps, vacations, and endless transitions. What looks like freedom can feel overwhelming.

Join us for Summer Survival for PDA Families and learn why traditional behavior strategies often backfire, what's really driving distress and demand avoidance, and how to support your PDAer with more connection, flexibility, and confidence.

Whether you're a parent, educator, clinician, or caregiver, you'll leave with practical insights you can use right away.

🎟️ Reserve your spot today: https://buff.ly/BpSJyzm

⏰ Just 1 Week Away!Our upcoming webinar, Consent & Communication with Speech Therapist and PDA Board Member, Linda Murph...
06/01/2026

⏰ Just 1 Week Away!

Our upcoming webinar, Consent & Communication with Speech Therapist and PDA Board Member, Linda Murphy, is happening soon — and you won’t want to miss this important conversation 💜

Learn how consent-centered communication can help build trust, reduce stress, and create more supportive relationships in everyday life.

✨ Whether you’re a parent, educator, professional, PDAer, or other neurodivergent adult, this session will offer practical insights you can start using right away.

🗓️ Happening in ONE WEEK
🎟️ Comment ConsentComm to reserve your spot today!

💪 Father’s Day month reminder: dads need support, too.Join PJ Starling () NEXT WEEK for our June PDA & Fatherhood sessi...
05/31/2026

💪 Father’s Day month reminder: dads need support, too.
Join PJ Starling () NEXT WEEK for our June PDA & Fatherhood session — the perfect space to pause, connect, and breathe.

🗓 June 9 @ 7 PM CST
🎟️ Comment DADJUNE26 for your seat.

Gentle reminder: All of our instincts about behavior are usually wrong. Join us on June 25th, when our founder Diane Gou...
05/29/2026

Gentle reminder: All of our instincts about behavior are usually wrong.

Join us on June 25th, when our founder Diane Gould talks about what learning about PDA taught her about behavior.

Comment "learning about PDA" and we'll DM you the link to register for the webinar, which will be recorded and available for unlimited replay.

💛 What Learning About PDA Taught Me About Behavior
🗣️ A 90-minute webinar by PDA North America founder and Executive Director, Diane Gould
🗓️ June 25th @ 7pm Central

🎓 Coming next week: PDA 101!Learn how to support autonomy and reduce struggle with understanding.🗓 June 4 | 7 PM CST FRE...
05/29/2026

🎓 Coming next week: PDA 101!
Learn how to support autonomy and reduce struggle with understanding.

🗓 June 4 | 7 PM CST
FREE webinar

Comment 101JUN26 for the direct link

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