[ The PDA Puzzle

Unlocking New Ways to Support Demand-Avoidant Learners

This session will explore the complexities of PDA, why traditional behaviour approaches fail, and how to rethink motivation, emotional needs, and relationships to better support PDA pupils in school and at home.
Proect Resilience
Unlocking New Ways to Support Demand-Avoidant Learners
Key details
Suitable for
All rolesAll phases
When
4pm on Tuesday 11 November
Can’t make this date? Contact us to be notified of the next course date
Where
Online
Price
£50
£40 for Red Kite Alliance members
  • Overview
  • Programme
  • Facilitator

This webinar, delivered by Project Resilience, explores Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a form of autism linked to extreme avoidance driven by anxiety. It explains how PDA differs from typical autism, why it challenges schools, and why many pupils disengage. Key strategies include supporting intrinsic motivation, understanding stress sensitivity, and using nonviolent communication to build trust.

What is PDA?

Core characteristics; why it looks different from traditional autism profiles.

Why is PDA tricky in schools?

Understanding avoidance as a response to perceived threat, not defiance.

Attendance Challenges and Home Education

Why many PDA pupils disengage or exit the school system.

Intrinsic Motivation and Maslow’s Hierarchy

How to move away from rewards/consequences and support self-driven engagement using a neurodiverse-adapted model.

Orchid and Dandelion Pupils

How stress sensitivity plays a role; building environments that allow "orchid" children to thrive.

Empowered Conversations

Practical introduction to using nonviolent communication (NVC) to foster autonomy, trust, and collaboration rather than confrontation.

Kathryn
[ Project Resilience
Kathryn Humphreys
Kathryn is a leading advocate for neurodiversity, mental health, and wellbeing, with two decades of experience across the charitable, public, and education sectors. She has led initiatives to support mental wellbeing and neurodiversity in schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), promoting resilience, inclusivity, and effective communication. Her personal experiences as a parent of a neurodivergent child and recovering from burnout drive her passion for supporting others. Known for her commitment to evidence-based practice, Kathryn provides coaching and consulting, helping individuals understand neurodiverse needs and overcome life’s challenges through experiential learning and research-based approaches.

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