This presentation provides an overview of the Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile within Autism, with a focus on how it presents in clinical practice and how it differs from more commonly recognised Autistic profiles. The session supports psychologists to develop a nuanced understanding of PDA-informed assessment, formulation, and therapeutic support. Drawing on clinical and lived experience and current practice frameworks, the presentation highlights the importance of flexible, individualised, and relationship-based approaches when working with PDA clients.
Psychologists will gain:
- A clear understanding of the PDA profile within Autism
- Knowledge of key characteristics and assessment tools for identifying PDA
- Skills in differentiating PDA from other clinical presentations
- Practical strategies for building rapport and increasing therapeutic engagement
- Strategies to support emotional regulation, intolerance of uncertainty, problem-solving, and self-advocacy.
This presentation is designed for psychologists working with Autistic children, adolescents, and adults in clinical, educational, and community settings. Participants will receive several resources to assist in Identifying PDA and working therapeutically with PDAers.
About our presenters: Dr Theresa Kidd and Dr Miriam Kirby
Dr Theresa Kidd is a psychologist with clinical endorsement, a research fellow, and clinical director of The Kidd Clinic, a private, bicoastal psychology and allied health practice across Melbourne and Perth. Her work focuses on Autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), ADHD, and mental health across the lifespan. Dr Kidd works to support Autistic people and the larger community by providing affirming psychological services, education, and advocating for inclusive, strengths-based approaches. Her experiences as a neurodivergent parent within a neurodivergent family, including children with PDA, shape her commitment to enhancing the well-being of neurodivergent families.
Theresa is dedicated to equitable education and employment and practical, research-based psychological services. Her early work was in disability and employment services before her honour’s degree where she researched the experiences of mothers’ home educating their Autistic children. Her PhD focused on adapting a family-based, cognitive-behavioural therapy program to help Autistic adolescents manage anxiety. Concurrently, she co-developed and directed the Curtin University Autism Peer Mentoring Program, supporting Autistic students in navigating university life and beyond. Later, during her postdoctoral fellowship at Macquarie University, she led a national trial aimed at reducing anxiety and bullying victimisation among children.
As a respected speaker, Theresa presents both nationally and internationally on Autism, PDA, ADHD, mental health, and the transition to adulthood for Autistic and PDA young people. She supervises clinicians in neurodiversity-affirming practices and has co-authored several publications, including her recent book, Helping Autistic Teens to Manage Their Anxiety, a valuable resource for families and allied health professionals alike.
Dr Miriam Kirby is a psychologist with clinical endorsement who has worked within the areas of Autism and Mental Health for over 20 years. She is committed to helping neurodivergent individuals of all ages to understand their identity, identify and advocate for supports and accommodations, and manage co-occurring mental health conditions across different settings.
Miriam has a particular interest in supporting Autistic women and girls from a neurodiversity affirming perspective, including those who have been identified as Autistic later in life, inspiring her to pursue her own late diagnosis. In this space, she undertakes Autism assessments, provides therapeutic support (individually and in group settings), and provides training and development opportunities to other clinicians, educators, parents, and community members. Miriam also has experience with identifying and supporting individuals who present with the Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile associated with Autism. She provides parent support sessions, problem solving sessions and consultancy to assist parents and educators to more fully understand the young person they are supporting and provide PDA-informed recommendations to improve educational engagement, social connection, emotion regulation, positive self-identity, transition into adulthood, and burnout prevention.
In addition to her clinical work, Miriam is the Training and Consultancy Lead at The Kidd Clinic, and regularly facilitates training for parents, educators and professionals on topics such as Autism and co-occurring mental health conditions, Pathological Demand Avoidance, and neurodiversity in the workplace.
Webinar timing: 1:00 – 2:00 PM AEST
Access to the recording of this webinar: A recording of this webinar will be available through the CPD Webinar Library, but for the best experience and the opportunity to ask your questions, join us live. Everyone who registers will be advised via email as soon as the recording is available. Members have unlimited access to the recording, and non-members will have access for 6 months.