Understanding and Support PDA Individuals

Learning is about becoming incompetent on our way to getting better.

If you’re not open to the tension that is caused by knowing you could do better, it’s unlikely you’re willing to do the work to get better.

As you’re doing that work, there’s the satisfaction it brings, but also the knowledge that just a moment ago, you weren’t any good.

I love this blog post by Seth Godin titled, In search of incompetence, even though sometimes it is humbling to live it!

This past March, I was honored to be invited by PDA North America, a nonprofit organization providing support and resources for individuals and families living with PDA, to be the keynote speaker at their 5th Annual Conference outside Chicago. At the time, I knew some information about PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance or Persistent Drive for Autonomy) and had learned how declarative language, and the Declarative Language Handbook in particular, were helpful communication tools when interacting with PDA individuals.

While I was at this 2-day conference, I became immersed in the PDA community. This included talking to parents, but importantly, also connecting with and listening to many late-diagnosed autistic adults who identify with this complex profile.

I was moved in a way I hadn’t expected, and I realized I had a lot more learning to do about PDA if I wanted to do my job better – as a speech language pathologist, as a professional trainer to others, and as a writer.

I also became committed to helping these voices be heard and improving understanding of this vulnerable and often misunderstood profile. There is so much to learn, and so much to share.

So, when PDA North America asked if I would be interested in partnering with them in sponsoring a one-day Boston Area Workshop, I accepted without hesitation.

Would you like to join us and learn more about PDA too?

I think it will be a fantastic day that includes both learning and connection.

The details:

• The workshop will take place on September 20, 2024 at Danversport, a beautiful waterfront venue on the North Shore (not far from Peer Projects, my clinic in Beverly, MA!).

• You’ll hear from three speakers - myself, Diane Gould (Social Worker, Founder and Executive Director of PDANA, and author of Navigating PDA in America), and Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman (late diagnosed Autistic PDAer, writer, and PDA Coach).

• We’ll have an hour long lunch, which will allow plenty of time to connect with others, and enjoy the outdoor spaces the venue has to offer.

• We would love to have professionals, parents, caregivers, and PDA individuals be part of this special day.

-Written by Linda Murphy