PDA, Pathological Demand Avoidance, Persistent Drive for Autonomy...

PDA is an emerging conceptualization for understanding extreme demand avoidance in children and youth.

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Did you know:

• PDA is linked to extreme, anxiety-driven avoidance of everyday demands — even those the person wants to do.​

• It’s often mislabelled as ODD, “defiance,” or poor parenting.​

• Traditional behaviour strategies can backfire with PDA profiles, increasing distress and eroding trust.​

• Can show up as chronic irritability, agitation, anger, and aggression.​

• Can also present as shut-downs, people pleasing, depression and anxiety.

 

Join us for an 8-week supervision group that aims to deepen our understanding of PDA and support clinicians in effectively supporting children and families.

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Through education, discussion, and case presentations this group will support you in understanding the PDA profile and effectively supporting families to navigate their needs.

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From a nervous-system, attachment, and trauma-informed lens participants will:

• Explore the research on PDA

• Learn to spot PDA

• Learn strategies that help families (and understand what can make things worse)

• Talk through cases and discuss support plans

 

Supervisor:

In addition to a registered psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and PhD candidate, I'm a neurodivergent parent raising kids with a PDA profile.

After using every strategy I learned over my 20+ year career in children's mental health with my own family, I faced the realization that everything seemed to be escalating the issue in my own home, rather than helping.

 

5 years ago I began to learn about PDA, first as a parent, then as a clinician. It made so much sense for understanding the children I was seeing in my practice. Kids who experienced frequent meltdowns, school refusal, and even refusal to leave the car to come into session (spoiler alert, it was a situation of can't not won't). These parents tried everything!! Charts, incentives, consistent consequences, praise, schedules and routine (and much, much more). I learned what tools support PDA'ers and which ones don't. Moreover, I tried these tools out in my own home and in my own parenting. I learned first-hand and through my clients about the support that is needed.

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In practice, I adopt a neurodiversity-affirming lens to support families. This means non-pathologizing and being focused on the lived experiences of those I support. I'm grounded in trauma-informed care, polyvagal theory, attachment theory, and neurobiologically informed interventions. I meet the criteria set out by CRPO for clinical supervision.

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Supervision format: A blend of education, discussion, and case presentations.

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Starts September 16 • Weekly, 2 hours

Online • Closed group (6–8 spots)

$80/session -2 hours

CRPO supervision hours eligible

Reserve your spot — admin@familykinnections.ca