Pathological Demand Avoidance

An Introduction for Occupational Therapists 

 

90-Minute Webinar with Michelle Newby BHSc(OT), MSc, PhD(c).

Occupational Therapist and Clinical Director

Get Access Now

✓

Step into their world – Gain insight into the lived experience of PDA

✓

Recognise the signs – Understand the key characteristics of PDA.

✓

Support with confidence – Learn practical strategies for success.

Unlock the Secrets to Supporting Children with PDA in Therapy

Are you an OT struggling to engage children with Pathological Demand Avoidance - or sometimes called Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA)? Do your usual strategies fall flat, leaving you feeling frustrated and unsure how to move forward?

Children with PDA present unique challenges in therapy. Their extreme need for autonomy and avoidance of everyday demands can make it feel impossible to connect, much less create meaningful progress. You’re not alone—many OTs grapple with these same struggles.

But there is a way forward—one that’s backed by research, clinical insights, and the lived experience of PDA. 

Not an OT? Not a problem... 

This webinar is packed with valuable insights that all health professionals can benefit from.

Whether you’re a psychologist, speech pathologist, educator, doctor or another allied health professional, understanding PDA and how to support engagement is essential if you're working with neurodivergent children. 

Instant Access Here

Join me, Michelle Newby, for this insightful webinar where you'll discover: 

💡 The Key Characteristics of PDA – Understand the behavioural traits that make PDA unique.
💡 The Extreme Demand Avoidance Screening Tool– Learn about an evidence-based screening tool to help identify PDA traits and guide your clinical approach.
💡 Practical Therapy Strategies – Discover tried and tested therapy strategies to reduce resistance, foster engagement, and create therapeutic success.
💡 The Lived Experience of PDA – Gain insights from real-world perspectives to deepen your understanding and empathy.

Watch Now

Join me, Michelle Newby, for this insightful webinar where you'll discover: 

💡 The Key Characteristics of PDA – Understand the behavioural traits that make PDA unique.
💡 The Extreme Demand Avoidance Screening Tool– Learn about an evidence-based screening tool to help identify PDA traits and guide your clinical approach.
💡 Practical Therapy Strategies – Discover tried and tested therapy strategies to reduce resistance, foster engagement, and create therapeutic success.
💡 The Lived Experience of PDA – Gain insights from real-world perspectives to deepen your understanding and empathy.

READ MORE

About me...

Hey there, I’m Michelle Newby - occupational therapist, clinical director of Stepping Stones Therapy for Children, researcher, and international speaker. For over 25 years, I’ve worked with children with neurodevelopmental conditions around the world, helping them—and the therapists who support them—navigate challenges with confidence.

With my PhD nearly complete, I’ve spent years blending research with hands-on clinical experience to understand what truly works for children with neurodevelopmental challenges including PDA. And here’s what I know: when we shift our approach to meet the individual needs of the child, engagement follows.

As Clinical Director and a speaker on global stages, I help OTs move from frustration to clarity with practical, real-world strategies that make a difference. My focus is on giving you the knowledge and tools to better support children with PDA, so you can create meaningful, lasting change in their lives.

See Why Therapists Love This PDA Webinar!

Michelle’s PDA webinar gave me a terrific insight into the lived experience of PDA, which was especially eye-opening. It's deepened my empathy and understanding of PDA. Since taking the course, I feel much more confident in my approach, and I’ve already started using the questionnaire Michelle provided to screen two of my clients for a potential PDA profile. The results have been incredibly helpful in refining my support strategies. I highly recommend this workshop to any OT working with neurodivergent children—Michelle’s expertise is invaluable, and I’m grateful for the knowledge I gained.

Amy Dufour 

Occupational Therapist 

I recently attended Michelle’s Introduction to PDA course and gained so much insight into the lived experience of children with PDA.  Michelle has a way of breaking down complex concepts into something concrete and understandable. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the paediatric space and was able to provide effective strategies and practical tips on any questions that therapists had for her. I would highly recommend Michelle’s course for anyone wanting to know more about PDA and what it looks like in practice, and how to effectively support and engage children using OT-specific strategies.

Mandy Merlin 

Occupational Therapy Student & AHA

Price:

AUD$95

(+GST)

Instant Access Here

Get access right now!

Supporting children with PDA can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. This webinar will equip you with practical, research-backed strategies to help you confidently engage and support children with PDA in therapy.

 

What You’ll Gain:

  • A deeper understanding of PDA and how it impacts therapy
  • Practical strategies you can implement right away
  • Insights you won’t find in textbooks

Register now to get access!