Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance / Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA) with Katherine Olson, Ph.D. (29 May 2026)

Fri, 29 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

You are invited!

SBCPA Presents: Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance / Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA)

Presenter: Katherine Olson, Ph.D.

Dr. Katherine L. Olson is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the Santa Barbara area. She has run a private practice for the last 7 years, where she specializes in parent/ caregiver support for neurodivergent children, particularly those with complex profiles. Prior to starting her practice, Dr. Olson worked at STAR of CA as a Clinical Manager and Psychologist, providing supervision, therapy, and diagnostic assessments through their mental health services. She completed her doctoral studies at UCSB in the Koegel Autism Center, and her predoctoral internship at the University of New Mexico in their Early Childhood track, where she worked in the Neurodevelopment Clinic.

Dr. Olson is passionate about supporting families of neurodivergent individuals and providing and promoting neurodiversity affirming care. She is also the mother of two children, including a 12 year-old PDA autistic daughter, who is continually teaching her and helping her grow both personally and professionally.

Course Outline

1.   Understanding the Main Characteristics of PDA (15 minutes)
2.    Strengths of PDA (5 Minutes)
3.    Implications for Therapeutic Support and Accommodations (35 minutes)
4.   Common Parent Experiences and Differential Diagnosis (15 minutes)
5. Q & A (20 minutes)

Topic:

This course will provide an introduction to Pathological Demand Avoidance/Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA). PDA is generally conceptualized as a subtype of Autism characterized by a drive for autonomy and equality that consistently overrides basic needs. It can also be understood as a nervous system disability whereby the nervous system has an extremely heightened response to stress. PDA is widely misunderstood and mis-diagnosed, leading to families with significant needs that are not being met. This course will help you understand the main characteristics of PDA, identify common strengths of PDA individuals, and provide an overview of implications for therapeutic support of PDA individuals and their families. Finally, you will be able to distinguish relevant considerations for differential diagnosis.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify five main characteristics of PDA.
2. Identify three accommodations that are useful for PDA individuals.
3. Explain two reasons why behavioral and exposure-based treatments do not work, and often exacerbate challenges, for PDA individuals.
Continuing Education:

CPA is co-sponsoring with Santa Barbara County Psychological Association (SBCPA). The California Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CPA maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.
Important Notice:

Those who attend the workshop will receive (1.5) continuing education credits. Please note that APA CE rules require that we give credit only to those who attend the entire workshop. Those arriving more than 15 minutes after the start time or leaving before the workshop is completed will not receive CE credits.

Please Note: This salon will be held via Zoom.

SBCPA upcoming events

Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance / Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA) with Katherine Olson, Ph.D. (29 May 2026)