Pervasive Demand Avoidance or PDA is a profile of Autism characterised by an extreme need for control and autonomy driven by high levels of anxiety, resulting in demand avoidance, emotional regulation difficulties and a heightened stress response.
Many PDAers are unable to attend school, and those that do often struggle to engage in a traditional classroom environment. This can present a challenge for teachers and support staff, as they are often trained to support Autistic children with adherence to routines and behavioural strategies, approaches that are generally met with opposition and distress by PDAers.
This seminar will provide attendees with a better understanding of PDA and the reasons why approaches traditionally used to support Autistic students are often ineffective with PDAers. Then practical tips and strategies for engaging and supporting children with a PDA profile in the classroom will be described, using real case studies and examples from the presenter’s work as a psychologist and play therapist.
Suitable for Educators, Support staff, Allied Health Professionals and Parents.
Presented by Educational & Developmental Psychologist, Raelene Dundon.
A recording will be available for ticket holders after the event.
About your Speaker - Raelene Dundon
Raelene is an Autistic and ADHDer, Educational Developmental Psychologist and Play Therapist, and the Director of Okey Dokey Childhood Therapy, a large paediatric allied health practice in Australia that she runs with her husband, Andrew, who is also Neurodivergent. She is also a lecturer in Child Play Therapy at Deakin University. Raelene has extensive experience working with Neurodivergent children and their families providing educational, social/emotional and parenting support. Raelene is also the mother of three Autistic children and draws on both her personal and professional experience to provide support and guidance to children and families.
Raelene regularly presents webinars for parents and professionals on topics related to supporting Neurodivergent children in the classroom and in other settings, and has presented at international conferences in New York, Macau, Singapore, Prague, Edinburgh, and across Australia.
Raelene is the author of 4 books published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in London, with her fifth book “A Therapist’s Guide to Neurodiversity Affirming Practice with Children and Young People” released in November 2023.
Raelene is passionate about supporting Neurodivergent children to understand and accept who they are — and to empower them to be themselves in a society that still has a long way to go in celebrating difference.
CONTACT ME TO WATCH THIS IN OUR SMALL GROUP MEETING
OR, CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO BOOK YOUR OWN PRIVATE TICKET. YOU CAN ALSO PURCHASE A TICKET FOR YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL, OR DIRECT THEM TO PURCHASE FROM EVENTBRIGHT.
(RECORDINGS ARE AVAILABLE FOR TICKET HOLDERS)
