Understanding PDA From A Professional Mom

Therapy Unmasked

Resources:

Ability Innovations

https://www.abilityinnovations.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1752959375267838

Therapy Unmasked

https://www.therapy-unmasked.com

Kathryn's Providers:

1. Dr. Sara Rice Schiff: my kids’ PDA specialist neuropsychologist; based in CA, but also licensed in UT; [phone] or [email protected]
2. Madison Martinez, CSW: my kids’ PDA-affirming therapist; she also offers super helpful parenting sessions; Tree of Life Children’s Center; [phone]
3. Dr. Lindsey Tubaugh: my kids’ PDA-affirming pediatric audiologist; Kai and Shipton have Misophonia and Auditory Processing Disorder and wear low-gain hearing aids; lowering sensory overload has been helpful to managing PDA; Little Heroes Pediatric Hearing Clinic; [phone]
4. The Neurobehavioral Center for Growth: my kids had positive experiences in private and teens’ group therapy here in the recent past until their provider moved locations. One of my IRL friends was able to get the PDA profile added onto her child’s Autism diagnoses when evaluated here recently. [phone]
5. The OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center: Exposure and Response Therapy; Kai qualified for the Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program; at the time Kai participated, the program was child-led; many of our PDA’ers also have high levels of anxiety; when addressed at the right time (ie-Kai was 15 YO), with the right providers, and in the right ways, managing anxiety can be helpful for PDA. Have courage to modify or even walk away if it isn’t a good fit; [phone]
6. Stacey Browning: Shipton’s PDA-aware feeding therapist at the ARFID/intensive feeding clinic at Primary Children’s Rehab; (801)-397-8721
7. Emily Wilcox, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC: Consider speaking with your kids’ doctor about medications; while there are no medications currently available for PDA specifically, managing anxiety and offering support for ADHD and Autism through medications, paired with therapies, has been helpful for my kids. My two youngest kids (under 18 YO) have their medications managed by Emily at Matt’s Place; (801)-614-8400
8. Alysha Stokes, APRN FNP-C: my kids’ favorite provider at their pediatrician’s office; I cannot say enough good about her intuition and collaborative nature; Farr West/Brigham City Pediatrics; (435)-734-2433
9. PDA North America PDA-affirming providers list: listed by state; we currently don’t have many options in UT, but I’m hopeful it will grow! https://pdanorthamerica.org/pda-affirming-providers/

Social Media Support Groups:

1. PDA North America: https://www.facebook.com/share/19GtAx2EcZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
2. Kristy Forbes; Adult coach who has PDA herself: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C8RW8SDGz/?mibextid=wwXIfr
3. Sally Cat’s; Adult coach who has PDA herself: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EsHACizug/?mibextid=wwXIfr
4. Neurowild; Adult coach who has PDA herself as well as one of her children: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BHve5Nsuv/?mibextid=wwXIfr
5. No Pressure PDA; Adult coach who has PDA herself; https://www.facebook.com/share/1BQqEW16Me/?mibextid=wwXIfr
6. Occuplaytional Therapist: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AdhKTZJbq/?mibextid=wwXIfr
7. USA based support group; has adults with PDA mixed with parents of children with PDA: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1ARA3UVAwc/?mibextid=wwXIfr
8. Utah Autism Support group; https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15PRHbJ8Le/?mibextid=wwXIfr
9. Utah Autism Mamma Meetups; https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16MF5qTkkQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
10. Toren Wolf: Teen PDA’er around Kai’s age with AuDH + PDA, ARFID, POTS; on IG or YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TorenWolf or http://www.instagram.com/@TorenWolf

Books:

NOTE: “Low demand,” “declarative language,” and accepting "equalizing behaviors” are recommended accomodations in order to support people who have PDA.

1. “Low Demand Parenting,” by Amanda Diekman
2. “Declarative Language Handbook,” by Linda K. Murphy MS, CCC-SLP
3. “Navigating PDA in America,” by Ruth Fidler and Diane Gould
4. “The Whole-Brained Child,” by Dan Siegel, MD and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD

“No-Drama Discipline,” by Dan Siegel, MD and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD

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Hey Friends,

Welcome back to another episode of Therapy Unmasked. Today we tackle the topic of PDA, also known as Pathological Demand Avoidance. We had the opportunity to be joined by a professional mom with multiple PDA children along with her child Kai who has been diagnosed with PDA. We are so grateful for their willingness to open up share their experiences with all of you.

This episode will cover topics like:

• PDA
• ODD
• OCD
• ADHD
• Gender Dysphoria
• Parenting Neurodivergent Children

Thank you for being the best part of our show! The best thing you can do to show your love and support is SHARE THE SHOW. This episode contains many aspects that would be helpful to many parents out there. We want everyone to here Kai and Kathryn's story. All relevant links and resources will be listed above.

Love,

Your Friends At Ability Innovations