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
1.45pm Speaker: Kristy Forbes
3.15pm Break
3.30pm Q & A Panel
5.00pm Finish
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Suitable for Parents, Educators and Professionals.
*
Ticket does NOT include lunch.
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Tea and coffee will be provided.
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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:
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children and adults on the autism spectrum with or without a PDA
expression (Pathological demand avoidance)
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neurodivergent children experiencing social, emotional and/or
behavioural challenges
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families of children with a diagnosis, difference or challenge
associated with neurodivergence
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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.
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08/06/2020 Last update