PDA North America

### Context Profile for PDA North America

1. **Organization Mission & Cause**:
   - **Mission**: PDA North America is dedicated to raising awareness and providing support for individuals with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a profile on the autism spectrum characterized by an extreme avoidance of everyday demands and expectations. Their mission is to educate, advocate, and empower families and professionals to better understand and support those affected by PDA.
   - **Cause**: The organization aims to promote acceptance and understanding of PDA, ensuring that individuals with this profile receive appropriate support and resources.

2. **Type of Activities**:
   - **Events**: PDA North America hosts various events, including workshops, webinars, and in-person gatherings. For example, the recent event titled "Understanding & Supporting PDA" at Fusion Academy focused on educating attendees about PDA.
   - **Fundraising Campaigns**: They conduct fundraising initiatives to support their educational programs and outreach efforts.
   - **Community Programs**: The organization provides resources and support for parents, professionals, and individuals affected by PDA, including informational materials and networking opportunities.

3. **Tone of Voice**:
   - The tone of voice used by PDA North America is **friendly, supportive, and informative**. Their communications aim to be accessible and relatable, fostering a sense of community among those affected by PDA. The language is often encouraging and empathetic, reflecting their commitment to support and advocacy.

4. **Emoji Usage**:
   - The organization does not prominently feature emojis in their communications, maintaining a more professional and straightforward approach in their messaging. This suggests a preference for clarity and seriousness regarding their cause.

5. **Key Facts**:
   - **Founding Info**: Specific founding details were not explicitly stated on the website, but the organization appears to have been established to address the needs of individuals with PDA in North America.
   - **Scale**: PDA North America has conducted 13 total forms and 277 email campaigns, indicating an active engagement with their audience.
   - **Impact Metrics**: While specific metrics were not detailed, the organization emphasizes community engagement and support through events and educational outreach.
   - **Volunteer Info**: Information regarding volunteer opportunities is not explicitly mentioned on the website, suggesting that they may focus more on professional support and community engagement.

6. **Writing Guidelines**:
   - **Style**: Content should be clear, concise, and supportive. Use of empathetic language is encouraged to resonate with families and professionals dealing with PDA.
   - **Structure**: Use headings and bullet points for easy readability. Ensure that information is presented in a logical flow, especially when discussing events or resources.
   - **Audience Engagement**: Personalize communications where possible, using the recipient's name and addressing their specific interests or needs related to PDA.
   - **Call to Action**: Include clear calls to action in emails and promotional materials, encouraging participation in events or support for fundraising efforts.

This context profile serves as a foundation for creating tailored content for PDA North America, ensuring alignment with their mission, tone, and audience engagement strategies.

LXCL:Ticket includes access to the virtual presentations on 2/27/26 and a spot at the in-person presentations on 3/5/26 and 3/6/26. A light breakfast and lunch are included on 3/5/26 and 3/6/26.

Early Bird Ticket - In-Person

LXCL:Select this ticket option for additional household members if buying more than 1 ticket. Ticket includes access to the virtual presentations on 2/27/26 and a spot at the in-person presentations on 3/5/26 and 3/6/26. A light breakfast and lunch are included on 3/5/26 and 3/6/26.

Early Bird Additional Family Member Ticket - In-Person

Ticket - In-Person

Additional Family Member Ticket - In-Person

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, We can&#39;t wait to see you at our 7th Annual PDA North America Conference. This ticket is to attend the conference virtually on February 27, 2026 and in-person on March 5 and March 6, 2026. (Full virtual tickets sold separately.) Below is the Zoom information for Friday, February 27, 2026.&nbsp; Friday, February 27, 2026Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/83853441473?pwd=RBCTgFOMNy9mtbzB34n9BaSsu6xUYb.1 Meeting ID: 838 5344 1473Passcode: 292672 We look forward to seeing you at the Holiday Inn &amp; Suites North Shore on March 5th and March 6th! If you&#39;d like stay at the hotel you can use code &quot;PNA&quot;&nbsp;when booking to get the group code or use <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/find-hotels/select-roomrate?fromRedirect=true&qSrt=sBR&qIta=99801505&icdv=99801505&qSlH=CHISK&qCiD=04&qCiMy=022026&qCoD=06&qCoMy=022026&qGrpCd=PNA&setPMCookies=true&qSHBrC=HI&qDest=5300%20West%20Touhy%20Ave,%20Skokie,%20IL,%20US&showApp=true&adjustMonth=false&srb_u=1&qRmFltr=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">this link</a> to book. Holiday Inn &amp; Suites North Shore: 5300 W Toughy Ave, Skokie, IL 60077 If you have any questions leading up to the conference, please email info@pdanorthamerica.org Thank you,The PDA North America Team

7th Annual 3-Day PDA North America Conference Details (Feb 27th is all virtual, March 5th in person, March 6th in person) The in person event is at the Holiday Inn &amp; Suites North Shore5300 W Touhy Ave, Skokie, IL 60077 Ticket sales will remain open until February 25, 2026, at 12:00pm central, or until capacity is reached, whichever occurs first. Please register each attendee separately. Enter the name and email of the person who will attend, not the billing contact, so the attendee receives all event communications. All times are listed in US Central March 5th &amp; 6th will offer community connection opportunities in the hour prior to starting the conference from 8:30am-9:15am - as well as an organized happy hour on Thursday evening at the hotel.  A continental breakfast &amp; full buffet lunch are provided in ticket prices for March 5th &amp; 6th, as well as a happy hour on Thursday with soft drinks and appetizers.  ♦ Friday, Feb 27th - PDA Health &amp; Wellness 9:30am - 4:30pm - All Virtual Audience <table><tbody><tr><td>Welcome from Diane Gould, Founder &amp; Exec. Director</td><td>9:30-9:45am</td></tr><tr><td>PDA-Informed Mindfulnesswith Emelda “E” De Coteau</td><td>9:45-10:30am</td></tr><tr><td>Short Break</td><td>10:30-10:45am</td></tr><tr><td>Supporting PDAers in Self-Care and Everyday Lifewith Laura Hellfeld, Neurodivergent Nurse Consultant</td><td>10:45-12:00pm</td></tr><tr><td>PDA Conversations with Ashley (16), Teen PDAer</td><td>12:00-12:15pm</td></tr><tr><td>Lunch Break</td><td>12:15-1:00pm</td></tr><tr><td>Everything is Connected to Everything: Improving the Health of Autistic, ADHD, and PDA Patients through the Lifespanwith Mel Hauser, M.D.</td><td>1:00-2:15pm</td></tr><tr><td>PDA Conversations with Maya (20), Young adult PDAer</td><td>2:15-2:30pm</td></tr><tr><td>Short Break</td><td>2:30-2:45pm</td></tr><tr><td>PDA Conversations with PDA siblings Katie (20) &amp; Ben (18)</td><td>2:45-3:00pm</td></tr><tr><td>Feeling All The Feelings: Regulation &amp; Interoceptionwith Kelsie “Mick” Olds</td><td>3:00pm-4:15pm</td></tr><tr><td>Closing words from Diane Gould</td><td>4:15-4:30pm</td></tr></tbody></table> ♦ Thursday, March 5th - The PDA Experience 9:30am - 3:30pm - Hybrid audience Virtual - streamed Live from Skokie, IL outside Chicago <table><tbody><tr><td>Welcome with Diane Gould</td><td>9:30-9:45am</td></tr><tr><td>PDA Experience Report Review with Melissa McKenzie &amp; Michele Kleinmann</td><td>9:45-10:30am</td></tr><tr><td>Unlocking the Power of the PDA Brainwith Jennifer I. Huffman, PhD, ABPdN</td><td>10:30-11:45am</td></tr><tr><td>The PDA Safe Circle: Introductionwith Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman</td><td>12:00-1:00pm</td></tr><tr><td>Lunch Break (with discussion groups for virtual audience) </td><td>1:00-2:00pm</td></tr><tr><td>Grounding with Emelda</td><td>2:05-2:15pm</td></tr><tr><td>The PDA Safe Circle: Workshopwith Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman</td><td>2:15-3:15pm</td></tr><tr><td>PDA Conversation with Theo, young adult PDAer&amp; Closing Words with Diane Gould</td><td>3:15-3:30pm</td></tr><tr><td>Happy Hour </td><td>4:00-6:00pm</td></tr><tr><td>Support Group Meet &amp; Greet (optional)</td><td>5:00-6:00pm</td></tr></tbody></table> ♦ Friday, March 6th - Making it All Work 9:30am - 5:00pm - Hybrid audience Virtual - streamed Live from Skokie, IL outside Chicago <table><tbody><tr><td>Welcome with Diane Gould, founder &amp; exec. director&amp; Grounding with Emelda</td><td>9:30-9:45am</td></tr><tr><td>Parenting PDA as a Neurodivergent Momwith Sunita Kapahi Theiss</td><td>9:45-11:00am</td></tr><tr><td>Short Break</td><td>11:00-11:15am</td></tr><tr><td>Discussion with PDA-Affirming Professionals:with Stephanie Arias, OT, Elena Kaiser, Art Therapist, and Dr. Karen Rosian, Psychologist </td><td>11:15-12:15pm</td></tr><tr><td>Lunch Break (with discussion groups for virtual audience)</td><td>12:15-1:15pm</td></tr><tr><td>Grounding with Emelda</td><td>1:20-1:25pm</td></tr><tr><td>Demystifying Learning for PDAers of All Ageswith Zach Morris, M.Ed.</td><td>1:25-2:45pm</td></tr><tr><td>Short Break</td><td>2:45-3:00pm</td></tr><tr><td>PDA &amp; Me: Insights from a Fully PDA Lifewith Lauren Brown, PDAer</td><td>3:00-4:00pm</td></tr><tr><td>Closing Comments with Diane Gould &amp; PDA North America</td><td>4:00-4:15pm</td></tr></tbody></table> There will be additional structured opportunities to network and discuss important topics for virtual &amp; in-person attendees.  <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1768419837/wysiwyg/wfdr3y8bfrngbb3uanha.png" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /><a href="https://www.neurodiverseinstitute.com/" target="_blank">Neurodiverse Institute</a> - Platinum Sponsor<a href="https://helpandhealingcenter.com/" target="_blank">Help &amp; Healing Center PLLC</a> - Gold Sponsor<a href="https://loftyangels.com/" target="_blank">Lofty Angels</a> - Gold Sponsor

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PDA North America

7th Annual PDA North America Conference: In-Person

Add a donation for PDA North America

Ticket - In-Person

$425

Additional Family Member Ticket - In-Person

$325