Pathological Demand Avoidance or PDA is a condition that is
considered part of the Autism Spectrum by the National Autistic
Society in the UK and is becoming increasingly recognised in
Australia. It is characterised by extremely high levels of anxiety
which lead to a child constantly trying to keep themselves safe by
controlling their environment, resulting in avoidance of everyday
demands, difficulties regulating their emotions and often challenging
behaviour. Join PDA experts Harry Thompson (PDAer and author of 'The
PDA Paradox') and Kristy Forbes (PDAer and owner of Intune Pathways),
and Educational and Developmental Psychologist Raelene Dundon (author
of 'The Parents' Guide to Managing Anxiety in Children with Autism')
for a day sharing insights and knowledge about how Autism, anxiety and
demand avoidance impact on the lives of children, adults and families,
and what we can do to support individuals with PDA at home, at school
and out in the community. Proposed Agenda: 9.00am Registration 9.30am
Speaker: Raelene Dundon 11.00am Break 11.15am Speaker: Harry Thompson
12.45pm Break 1.15pm Speaker: Kristy Forbes 2.45pm Break 3.00pm Q & A
Panel 4.30pm Finish Suitable for Parents, Educators and Professionals.
Ticket does not include lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Venue to be confirmed closer to the event date. About the Speakers:
Harry Thompson Harry Thompson was born in Edgeware and grew up in
Barnet (North London). He is currently based in London, UK. An avid
reader & researcher, Harry speaks publicly and is heavily involved in
projects & research on all topics around neurodiversity and autism;
namely, Pathological Demand Avoidance, a behaviour profile within the
Autism Spectrum. He launched his YouTube channel in March of 2017
which has since amassed a strong following. Harry began to write the
first draft of his book in 2015. After connecting with many autistic &
PDA families, he pivoted his direction and completed his book in about
6 weeks, a memoir entitled the "PDA Paradox: The Highs and Lows of My
Life on a Little-Known Part of the Autism Spectrum", published in
February 2019 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Harry’s aim is simply
to make the lives of neurodivergent individuals and their families, a
little easier and enjoyable, and a little less chaotic and miserable.
People are all too quick to label the neurodivergent child as broken,
when really the neurodivergent child has buckled under the weight of a
system that does not currently accommodate them, thus their gifts,
merits and attributes are often obscured and their flaws are
pronounced. In his spare time, Harry plays both guitar & ukulele and
sings as well. His musical gift is in his ear, as he is able to
harmonise and work out songs quickly as opposed to composing. He
meditates frequently and focuses on health & fitness. He is also a
vegan but dislikes that label. Harry is delighted to announce that he
has been elected to a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).
He feels truly honoured by this. This is in recognition of his work in
the field of PDA, and also in recognition of the publication of his
book, The PDA Paradox, which has been deemed an outstanding
contribution to our knowledge about PDA. Kristy Forbes As a parent to
four; all at varying ages, stages and abilities, Kristy has an
abundance of emotional, practical and lived experience both working
with and raising children who are neurodivergent, specifically
autistic. She has an extensive background in Early Childhood
Education and Psychology, Primary and Secondary Teaching and working
as an Early Childhood behavioural and family specialist. She has been
published on various topics pertaining to parenthood and children.
Kristy is passionate about radical acceptance-assisting others to
find the courage and humility to totally accept, understand and
celebrate ourselves, our neurologies and others as we are, without the
need or intention to fix, change or cure-particularly in regard to
children. Her greatest joy is when families are in tune with each
other and regain their joy after periods of strained hope and
happiness. Diagnosed as autistic at age 33 herself, today she is
committed to empowering, supporting, educating and advocating for:
children and adults on the autism spectrum with or without a PDA
expression (Pathological demand avoidance) neurodivergent children
experiencing social, emotional and/or behavioural challenges families
of children with a diagnosis, difference or challenge associated with
neurodivergence educators and professionals supporting and caring for
children and families with diverse support requirements She does
this by designing support packages, training and workshops, speaking
engagements, online consultations, action plans and online courses;
all for delivery by inTune Pathways, catering for families and
professionals both within Australia and internationally. Raelene
Dundon Raelene is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist,
author, and the Director of Okey Dokey Childhood Psychology, a large
multidisciplinary paediatric practice in Melbourne, Australia. She has
extensive experience working with children with developmental
disabilities and their families, as well as typically developing
children, providing educational, social/emotional and behavioural
support. Throughout her career, Raelene has had a special interest in
supporting Neurodivergent children to reach their potential, and
developed a passion for working with and supporting children with PDA
after identifying that a number of her Autistic clients fit the PDA
profile and were not having their unique needs met at preschool and
school. Since then, she has worked to increase awareness of PDA and
Autism in the community and to find new ways of supporting children
with PDA in therapy settings. Raelene regularly presents seminars for
parents and professionals on topics related to supporting children
with additional needs in the classroom and in other settings, and has
recently presented on “Anxiety and Autism” at the IACAPAP
conference in Prague, as well as presenting at previous conferences in
New York, and Edinburgh, and across Australia. Raelene is the author
of the “Max and Barnaby” book series, which was created to support
the development of skills in social interaction and emotional
regulation in preschool and primary school aged children. Raelene is
also the author of three books published by Jessica Kingsley
Publishers titled “Talking to your child about their Autism
Diagnosis – A parents guide", “Teaching Social Skills to Children
with Autism Using Minecraft®: A Step by Step Guide” and "The
Parents' Guide to Managing Anxiety in Children with Autism." Her next
book for Jessica Kingsley Publishers is focussed on providing
Practitioners with guidance on how to work with children with PDA in
the therapy room. Ticket Information Ticket Price Early Bird (Before
1st March) AUD 89 General Admission AUD 109
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08/06/2020 Last update