Neurodivergent Insights

Masterclass Series


PDA: Not What You Think It Is!

Join me for this 90-minute Master Class with Dr. Donna Henderson!

PDA, or Pathological Demand Avoidance, has long been recognized and embraced in the United Kingdom, yet it is only now gaining recognition here in the United States. Unfortunately, the name itself implies a deliberate avoidance of demands, placing blame on the child and their parents. This misunderstanding often leads to interventions that prove ineffective at best and traumatic at worst. In truth, PDA represents a neurological difference—an autism subtype that is more accurately understood as a Pervasive Drive for Autonomy. 

PDAers and their parents persistently face misunderstanding, with unique parenting, intervention, and education needs that require a specialized approach. It is crucial for all mental health clinicians to gain a comprehensive understanding of PDA to better support and advocate for these individuals. Welcome to our transformative workshop on PDA, where we embark on a journey of exploration, enlightenment, and empowerment.

PDA: Not What You Think It Is!

What You'll Get

» Immediate access to 90 minutes pre-recorded Master Class

» Lifetime access to Master Class 

What You'll Learn in this 90-minute Masterclass

» The 6 core features of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)

» How to differentiate between PDA and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

» Practical strategies to support individuals with PDA: 3 ways to get started

Who is this intended for?

This webinar is intended for clinicians as well as parents, partners, or anyone with an interest in this topic. 

Note: While the webinar is primarily tailored for clinicians, it warmly welcomes parents, partners, and anyone interested in the topic. The content may contain clinical language, ensuring a comprehensive and insightful experience for all participants.

Neurodivergent Insights Masterclass Series:
Understanding Anxiety: From a Strength-Based Perspective

Plus, Decoding Allistic Anxiety from Autistic anxiety

Neurodivergent Insights is delighted to invite Dr. Dalton to our masterclass series. Dr. Jonathan Dalton, a prominent authority in anxiety and school avoidance, is known for his national leadership on this crucial topic. In this Masterclass, he shares his anxiety expertise, particularly emphasizing youth mental health. 

In this masterclass, Dr. Dalton brings a fresh perspective, emphasizing the strengths and resilience associated with anxiety. He navigates the subtle distinctions between conventional perceptions of anxiety and the lived experiences of individuals. Moreover, Dr. Dalton aids in distinguishing between adaptive anxiety and pathological anxiety, providing clarity on anxiety disorders.  Delving deeper, he explores the intricate relationship between avoidance behaviors and the perpetuation of anxiety, offering invaluable insights. 

Dr. Dalton provides a comprehensive overview, supported by data, to illuminate the challenges confronting today's youth.  Beyond this, Dr. Dalton explores how to adapt evidence-based approaches to anxiety treatment for Autistic individuals. He sheds light on the distinctive manifestations of anxiety within the Autistic community, reviewing the unique triggers, presentations, and treatment considerations.

This masterclass is a valuable resource for clinicians seeking to support neurodivergent clients dealing with anxiety. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the science behind anxiety, dispels common misconceptions, and provides effective strategies for addressing anxiety across various contexts. 

 Whether you are looking to gain a deeper understanding of anxiety for personal reasons or seeking to support someone else, this masterclass promises to provide insights and practical techniques. 

This training includes a 65-minute training session featuring Dr. Dalton, complemented by Neurodivergent Insights graphics seamlessly integrated. Additionally, it includes a 20-minute Q&A session with Dr. Neff, an Autistic psychologist, as they delve deeper into the intersection of autism and anxiety.

What You'll Get

  • Immediate access to 90 minute pre-recorded Masterclass

  • Lifetime access to Masterclass

  • Certificate of completion

What You'll Learn

1. Embracing Anxiety from a Strength-Based Perspective: Anxiety is reframed as an indicator of valuable traits like intelligence and creativity rather than a weakness. 

2. Discerning Adaptive Anxiety from Pathological Anxiety: Explore the essential role of anxiety in our survival and gain the ability to differentiate between adaptive and pathological anxiety. 

3. The Influence of Avoidance: Understand avoidance as a common response to anxiety and learn to identify and address unnecessary avoidance behaviors that can hinder personal growth. 

4. Grasping the Contemporary Landscape: Gain insights into current anxiety demographics among today's youth, including which demographic groups are most affected. 

5. Distinct Insights: Delve into the unique presentations and triggers of Autistic anxiety versus allistic anxiety and discover effective adaptations of exposure techniques when working with Autistic individuals.


Neurodivergent Insights Masterclass Series:
Exploring Neuroqueer Identities

Dr. Megan Anna Neff And Rebecca Minor

Given the high prevalence of ADHD and Autism within the LGBTQ+ population, this one-hour workshop delves into the intersection of these identities. The session provides an insightful overview of the overlap between neurodivergence and gender queering. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the unique stressors experienced by neuroqueer individuals and learn practical strategies to support the common challenges they face. 

The workshop also offers a brief primer on neuroqueer theory, which serves as a valuable framework for considering ADHD and autism as social identities that can be positively integrated into a person's overall identity. By the end of this session, attendees will have expanded their knowledge of the connections between neurodivergence and genderqueerness and be equipped with practical tools to offer support and promote inclusivity. Join us for this engaging and enlightening exploration of the intersection of neurodivergence and gender queering. 

Exploring Neuroqueer Identities 

What You'll Get

» Immediate access to 60 minutes pre-recorded Master Class

» Lifetime access to Master Class 

What You'll Learn in this 60-minute Masterclass

» Gain an in-depth understanding of the intricate relationship between neurodivergence and gender queering, exploring the overlap and connections between these identities. 

» Identify and examine the specific stressors commonly experienced by neuroqueer individuals, gaining insights into their unique challenges and needs. Unique challenges to neuroqueer individuals

» Acquire practical strategies and techniques to effectively support and empower neuroqueer individuals, addressing common issues they may encounter in their daily lives.


Neurodivergent Insights Masterclass Series:
Mindfulness For Teen Anxiety

Jamie Roberts, LA, LMFT

Join us for an exclusive masterclass featuring Jamie Roberts, a leading voice in neurodivergent teen mental health. Jamie, a licensed Marriage and family therapist, and neurodivergent advocate, shares her expertise and insights in our Neurodivergent Insights Learning Nook Anxiety Mindful Masterclass recorded live in the Neurodivergent Insights Learning Nook. 

 In this masterclass, Jamie delves into the specialized care needed for neurodivergent teens experiencing anxiety, offering practical techniques and strategies geared toward their distinct needs. Throughout the masterclass, she emphasizes the importance of understanding neurodivergent kids' social contexts, communication styles, and their specific experiences of anxiety. Moreover, Jamie introduces innovative concepts such as "puppy language" to counter negative self-talk and encourage self-affirmation. She highlights the importance of creating spaces for authentic self-expression, emotional intelligence, and utilizing nonverbal expressions such as music and art to help individuals communicate and express their emotions better. 

This masterclass serves as a valuable resource for parents, educators, and mental health professionals seeking to gain a deeper understanding of anxiety experiences among neurodivergent individuals, and provides practical guidance to support their unique needs.

What You'll Get

  • Immediate access to 90 minute pre-recorded Masterclass

  • Lifetime access to Masterclass

  • Certificate of completion

  • Bundle of worksheets to use in therapy or on your own

What You'll Learn

1. Teenage Brain Development: Gain insights into the unique challenges and considerations of supporting the mental health of neurodivergent teenagers, including understanding their brain development and emotional needs.

2. Grounding Techniques and Sensory Regulation: Discover various sensory tools and grounding exercises to help regulate the nervous system and manage stress and anxiety, particularly tailored for neurodivergent individuals.

3. Mindfulness Strategies:  Explore a range of mindfulness methods tailored to enhance mental health and alleviate anxiety in young individuals. This includes engaging activities like mindful coloring and the unique application of "puppy language" as a nurturing self-talk tool.

4. Window Of Tolerance: Learn about the window of tolerance and how to provide basic education for teens on understanding their nervous system triggers and helpers.