Beyond Research: Practical and Neuroaffirming Support for Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) & ADHD LIVE

Course Number: ABIO2448

When: Live course will take place on Zoom on November 15, 2024. All requirements are due by November 18, 2024 at 8:00PM ET. For the time of the course, take a look at the schedule here.

Where: Course available under “Course Content” at the bottom of this page.

Description: We explore key components of executive functioning (EF) and their impact on daily life, focusing on neuroaffirming practices that enhance interventions. Participants will examine the challenges and benefits of integrating lived experience with evidence-based practices. The course also covers key characteristics of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and its intersection with EF and therapy.

Who This Course Is Good For:

Parents, teachers, and related professionals working with children of all neurotypes, including those with behavioral challenges.
Any ASHA member, CCC holder, or other professional licensed or credentialed to practice speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology, or those preparing to earn ASHA CEUs.
Therapists and professionals interested in fostering connection, emotional safety, and supportive environments for all children.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in school-based, clinic, or private-practice settings who want to implement relational, connection-based approaches for both neurotypical and neurodiverse children.

Who This Course Isn’t Good For:

Any professional who does not currently work with any pediatric clients or plans to in the near future.

Presenters:

Venita Litvack, M.A, CCC-SLP (she/her)

Venita is an Assistive Technology (AT) Consultant in south Florida. She has a passion for using AAC, AT, and literacy to support individuals with complex communication needs, autism, and other disabilities. Venita has delivered poster presentations on several topics related to AAC at ASHA and co-presented several ASHA CEU accredited courses. Venita co-authored two articles published in ASHA Leader’s online publication, as well as the Lou Knows What to Do book series published by Boys Town Press. Recently, Venita started utilizing the power of social media to empower and motivate educators across the country through the Speechie Side Up podcast, blog, Instagram account, and YouTube channel.

Iris Wong M.S., CCC-SLP (she/her)

Iris Wong (she/her) is a believer that executive functioning can be fun and built through play! She is a former solo-traveler, speech therapist, public educator, and current senior dog devotee, ND parent to ND kids, and author of “A Kids Book About Executive Functioning.”

Disclosure Statements

Venita Litvack has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: ownership interest in Speechie Side Up, LLC and Tassel Learning, LLC; royalties from the Lou Knows What to Do book series.

Venita Litvack has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: member of the ASHA Special Interest Group 12.

Iris Wong has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: Author for A Kids Co. and receives royalty payments. Owner of EFToolkit, LLC. She is also receiving an honorarium for this presentation and receives commission for any sales made with her code.

Iris Wong has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: identifies as neurodivergent and has neurodivergent family members.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of this activity, participants will:

Describe at least two key components of executive functioning and their impact on daily life.
List at least two ways neuroaffirming EF practices can enhance current provider interventions.
Identify at least two challenges or benefits of integrating lived experience with evidence-based practice in EF interventions.
List at least two characteristics of PDA

Agenda

5 min	Introductions and Backgrounds
10 min	Understanding Executive Functioning and pathological demand avoidance (PDA) & ADHD
10 min	Evidence-Based Practice Meets Experience
15 min	Neuroaffirming EF Support Strategies
10 min	Enhancing Provider Curiosity and Practice
5 min	Helpful resources
5 min	References & closing remarks