Autistic clients and PDA - Masterclass - Perth

Working therapeutically with clients with a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile

Presenters: Theresa Kidd and Miriam Kirby

The Kidd Clinic

Are you increasingly noticing that certain Autistic clients are more challenging for you to engage therapeutically than others? Have you heard of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)?

Learn to recognise the PDA profile and how it differs from Autism more generally by learning the characteristics of PDA, tools to assess for this profile and how to differentiate between PDA and other disorders. Working with PDA clients requires a flexible approach and adaptations to typical cognitive-behavioural strategies. Our presentation will focus on ways to build rapport with your PDA client to increase their engagement and capacity to collaborate with you in therapy. Ways to adapt cognitive-behavioural strategies will be discussed, including strategies for supporting clients to identify their thoughts and feelings, regulate emotions, manage intolerance of uncertainty, and develop their problem-solving and self-advocacy skills, as well as discussing appropriate use of strategies such as graded exposure and behavioural activation.

About this event:

The format will be a 2-hour masterclass (plus a morning tea break), lecture-style presentation, with some small-group work and case examples.

Key Learning Objectives

1. Learn how to identify clients with a PDA profile and common differentials
2. Learn how to engage clients with an avoidant behaviour profile in the therapy room
3. Learn how to adapt CBT for clients with a PDA profile and practical strategies to assist with helping these clients achieve meaningful life outcomes

This session is suitable for all levels of clinicians/ therapists.

Duration & Format / Training Modalities

This event will be 2 hours for CPD. This event includes morning tea in the ticket price - please indicate any dietary restrictions.

Doors open at 9am for a 10am start.

References – readings

1. Elizabeth O'Nions, Judith Eaton, Extreme/‘pathological’ demand avoidance: an overview, Paediatrics and Child Health, Volume 30, Issue 12, 2020, Pages 411-415 [.pdf]
2. Kildahl, A. N., Helverschou, S. B., Rysstad, A. L., Wigaard, E., Hellerud, J. M., Ludvigsen, L. B., & Howlin, P. (2021). Pathological demand avoidance in children and adolescents: A systematic review. Autism, 25(8), 2162-2176.
3. Identifying & Assessing PDA; PDA Society

Dr Theresa Kidd is a clinical psychologist, research fellow, author and clinical director of The Kidd Clinic, a private psychology and allied health group practice in Perth and Melbourne. Theresa is committed to helping neurodivergent individuals of all ages to minimise their challenges, increase their strengths and to achieve their life goals. Drawing from her own experience of living within a neurodivergent (including PDA) family, Theresa is passionate about increasing family quality of life by assisting families to be as strong and healthy as possible.

With a passion for intervention research, Theresa embarked on a PhD which focused on using family-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to reduce anxiety in autistic adolescents. Concurrently, she co-developed and managed the Curtin University Specialist (peer) Mentoring Program to support autistic university students to successfully engage in tertiary settings. Following, she embarked on a post-doctoral research fellowship with Macquarie University where she coordinated a national trial to reduce anxiety and bullying victimisation in children.

In addition to her clinical and research work, and supervising other psychologists, she regularly presents to parents and professionals on Autism and co-occurring mental health problems, and on Pathological Demand Avoidance. She has co-authored several articles and manuals related to Autism and has recently written a book, Helping Autistic Teens to Manage their Anxiety.

Dr Miriam Kirby is a clinical psychologist passionate about supporting and affirming neurodivergent individuals and their families. Her role at The Kidd Clinic includes providing therapeutic support and treatment of co-occurring mental health conditions to individuals of all ages. In addition to providing supervision, Miriam also provides parenting support and problem-solving sessions and enjoys helping like-minded people connect through small, interest-based groups.

Miriam's is highly experienced and skilled in working with PDA clients and their families. Her approach is to offer a low demand, safe space where she works together at a pace that suits her clients. She loves to hear about her client's strengths and interests and understands their needs and preferences in order to provide an individualised and flexible service. She enjoys trying out new games and resources, adding to her book collection, and participating in professional development to keep her skills and knowledge up to date.