Join us for an evening of learning and conversation about PDA and supporting children and teens with a strong need for autonomy!

Understanding PDA: When Traditional Approaches Aren’t Working

Have you ever wondered why your child can spend hours doing something they love, but suddenly cannot brush their teeth, get ready for bed, or leave the house? Maybe they want to go to school, practice, or a friend’s house, but when it’s time to go, they simply can’t. Or maybe they seem fine at school but fall apart, shut down, or explode at home.

PDA, or Pathological Demand Avoidance (also called Pervasive Drive for Autonomy), is a nervous system disability where everyday expectations, loss of autonomy, or feeling like someone else is in charge can be experienced as a threat.

During our time together, we’ll explore:
• What PDA is and what may be happening beneath the behavior
• What PDA can look like in everyday life
• How PDA can overlap with or look different from ADHD, anxiety, OCD, depression, and other diagnoses
• Why traditional parenting and behavioral approaches may not be effective for some children
• Practical ways to support your child or teen differently

Our speaker, Donna Georgen, is a PDA-informed parent coach and educator with extensive training and experience supporting families navigating PDA. She has completed the PDA Society’s college-level PDA Levels Program and advanced training with Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D. Through the At Peace Parents Paradigm Shift Program, Donna has coached hundreds of families and is now part of the At Peace Parents team. She also served as the first Support Group Coordinator for PDA North America.

Donna brings 26 years of lived experience parenting two PDA children, now thriving young adults, alongside her professional training and experience.
This event is for parents, support professionals, service providers, and educators.

The Arc Livingston, 2980 Dorr Road, Brighton
October 13
5:00 to 6:30 PM
Light dinner provided.