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RECORDING: Introduction to Pathological Demand Avoidance/Persistent Drive for Autonomy

Expires December 2, 2024| 2 CEHs | $30 | Live Webinar | Clinical Content
This workshop is approved for 2 hours of clinical content
Description:
This course is presented from a neurodiversity affirming lens, from a presenter with lived experience as a PDA person. The objective of this course is to increase understanding of Pathological Demand Avoidance/Persistent Drive for Autonomy, as it relates to Autism. This will help clinicians better support families with PDA and/or Autistic members. Participants will have a better understanding of PDA, how to differentiate it from other conditions, and how to support PDAers in an effective way.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the impact of perceived demands on the nervous system.
- List at least 2 potential differential diagnoses for autism with a PDA profile.
- Identify at least one way to effectively support a PDAer.
Jessica Mertins, LICSW – Neurodiversity Specialist, Fernbrook Family Center
Level: Advanced | For: Everyone | Ages Addressed: Youth through Adulthood
About the Presenter
Jessica Mertins, LICSW has a masters of social work from the University of St. Thomas/Saint Catherine University and is currently an outpatient therapist, licensure supervisor, and Neurodiversity Specialist at Fernbrook Family Center. She trains from a perspective that blends her lived experience as a neurodivergent person, her professional experience, and her research and learning from other lived experience educators.