What’s Happening?
DECEMBER DOT(WA) PD
Topic: Pathological Demand Avoidance, an Atypical Profile of Autism
Date: Monday 2nd December 2024
Time: 6.30pm
Presenter: Heidi Brandis, Occupational Therapist
Heidi Brandis, Occupational Therapist, will be presenting an introduction to PDA (Extreme Demand Avoidance or Persistent Drive for Autonomy). Described as an anxiety-based need for autonomy, with a heightened stress/threat response, resulting in extreme avoidance of and resistance to, the everyday tasks of life, PDA has recently been recognised in Australia (March 2024), when it was included in the National Guidelines for Assessment & Diagnosis of Autism.
The presentation will include an introduction to PDA, including the features of this complex profile, the OT role in supporting PDA and a brief description of the P.A.S.S Model for approaching and supporting PDAers more effectively.
About the Presenter: Heidi is mum to a 23-year-old neurodivergent young adult & 17-year-old neurotypical young adult. She had been a self-employed Occupational Therapist & Ergonomist for 12 years when PDA arrived in her life and turned it upside down!
Heidi has been a volunteer supporting families of autistic and PDA children and young adults for over 15 years. She is the author of 4 editions of the WA Autism Parent Handbook, has run multiple autism parent support groups and founded and runs both the PDA Perth WA Parent Community & Support Group & the PDA Perth WA Interest Group for Educators & Health Professionals. Heidi is a member of the recently formed WA Department of Education Disability & Inclusion Committee.
Heidi opened PDA Training Australia in May 2024, where she is running interactive small group workshops for parents; tailored training for groups of educators/health professionals/parents (online and face-to-face); and delivering conference presentations.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87463994406
THANKYOU
Thank you to Denise Luscombe, PRECI (Professionals and Researchers in ECI) chair, for her presentation Review of Best Practice in Early Childhood Intervention Project. Denise has kindly allowed DOT(WA) members access to her presentation slides, which can be accessed HERE.