Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): A Half-Day Conference for Families, Educators & Other Professionals

September 26, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

September 26 , 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Monroe Community College
R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center
1000 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623

Join us for a half-day event focused on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)-also known as Pervasive Drive for Autonomy. PDA is a profile often associated with autism, and more recently, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions. PDAers are socially aware, sensitive to stress, and use unique strategies to avoid everyday demands. This event will deepen your understanding and equip you with tools to support individuals with PDA at home, in the classroom, and beyond.

What You’ll Learn:

  • What PDA is and why traditional support strategies often fall short
  • Relationship-based, neurodiversity-affirming approaches that work
  • Lived experience and real-world strategies from a parent’s perspective

Diane Gould, Founder and Executive Director of PDA North America, LCSW – Understanding and Supporting Children Who Fit the PDA Profile

Guy Stephens, Founded the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR) – How PDA Children Are Misunderstood in the Name of Behavior and How Neuroscience Can Help

Sarah Johnston-Waugh, Bookkeeper, A mother of 5 children – A Caregiver’s PDA Journey

Hosted by: Starbridge Inc. in collaboration with Alliance Against Seclusion & Restraint and PDA North America

For questions, please email info@endseclusion.org or call (866) 667-2576

Starbridge is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs

Register Today!

How do you want to attend the event?(Required)
Name(Required)
Address(Required)
I am a/an(Required)
How would you describe your race and ethnicity?(Required)
(choose all that apply)
What is your gender?(Required)

If you are attending as a professional, put N/A
If you are attending as a family member, choose the race and ethnicity that applies for your family member.(Required)
(choose all that apply)
If you are attending as a professional, please put N/A
If you are attending as a professional, please put N/A
If you are attending as a family member what is their educational classification?
Do you or your family member have OPWDD eligibility?(Required)
Do you or your family member have Self Direction?(Required)
Area of my home address is:(Required)
Would you like to receive email updates from us?
Publicity Permission
I hereby grant permission to Starbridge to use any and all in any official publicity pieces consistent with Starbridge’s mission. Publicity pieces include (but are not limited to) print or digital publications, news releases, videos, brochures, promotional materials, and web use. I understand that signing this release does not guarantee publication of selected items and that I am not being compensated for my participation. I understand that participation in a publicity project – or refusal to participate – will not affect or harm any services my child/dependent/self receives from Starbridge now or in the future.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

View All Events