Learn About Pathological Demand Avoidance
JOIN JANUARY 8 VIRTUAL EVENT WITH PDA EXPERT |
|
|
Does your autistic child seem more defiant than their peers, even compared to other autistic children? They may have a PDA profile. PDA, short for "Persistent Drive for Autonomy" (formerly "Pathological Demand Avoidance"), is a subtype of autism gaining ground in the autism community. Individuals with PDA present a challenge to educators and caregivers because they have difficulty complying with demands or even perceived demands that are made on them.
Common traits of individuals with a PDA profile:
|
|
|
If you are curious and want to learn more, then join xMinds Wednesday, January 8, 7-8:30pm as we welcome PDA North America Executive Director and Founder Diane Gould, LCSW. Diane will explain why behavioral approaches don't work with this population and can even be counter-productive; she’ll describe an alternative approach that works. Diane will include information on how educators can better serve PDA students at school. She will also explain how an accurate understanding of autism is necessary before we can fully understand PDA. The presentation will conclude with a Q & A. |
|
|
|
Diane Gould, LCSW Executive Director and Founder, PDA North America |
|
|
Diane has a private practice in the suburbs of Chicago. She also co-authored the book Navigating PDA in America with Ruth Fidler. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore a whole new perspective on autism that could transform how you support your child. |
|
|
How to Prepare for a Successful IEP Meeting
JOIN JANUARY 21 PRESENTATION BY ATTORNEY FRANCES SHEFTER |
|
|
Back by popular demand! Education attorney and IEP specialist, Frances Shefter of Shefter Law, P.A. delivered an impactful and highly informative presentation at our Annual IEP Clinic in November 2024 that left attendees asking for more. If you missed her in-person talk, this is your chance for a repeat performance online. Join xMinds for a virtual event Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 7-8:30pm. Whether you're attending your first IEP meeting or your eleventh, Frances always brings fresh tips and strategies to help you navigate the process with confidence. She will also answer your questions and prepare you for the annual meeting that makes even experienced parent advocates nervous.
|
|
|
Educational attorney Frances Shefter of Shefter Law, P.A. gives tips and strategies to parents about IEPs. |
|
|
Ready, Set, Play! Join Us at January’s Open Gym CONNECT WITH OTHER ELEMENTARY AND PRESCHOOL FAMILIES |
|
|
Are you and your children tired of being cooped up when it’s too cold to play outside? Get ready for a morning of family fun at our first open gym meetup of 2025, Saturday, January 18, 10:00-11:30am, at the Glen Haven Elementary School gymnasium, 10900 Inwood Avenue, Silver Spring, MD. Our free open gym meetups are geared toward families with autistic elementary and preschool students, and offer a fun way to get your kids moving on a winter day. |
|
|
We will have balls, mats, parachutes, and other gym equipment, as well as organized children's activities. This is a great opportunity to connect with other parents of autistic children. We will provide snacks, and will have volunteers on hand to answer any questions.
Everyone is welcome, including siblings! Registration is not required, so feel free to just show up. If you would like to receive event reminders and an email if we need to postpone due to inclement weather, sign up here.
Save the dates for our future open gym meetups:
Saturday, February 15, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at Glen Haven Elementary School
Saturday, March 15, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at Glen Haven Elementary School |
|
|
Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THE JOY OF DOING GOOD |
|
|
As we reach the annual holiday celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr., on Monday, January 20, 2025, which happens this year on the same day as the presidential inauguration, we should focus on the good feelings that come from public service and community building. |
|
|
Nicole Harris, a Connections Specialist with the Autism Society NC and parent of an autistic son, wrote this lovely blog post last year, Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. and Autism Awareness: “As I’ve learned more about autism over the years and how it affects my son, I have discovered unique ways to celebrate holidays to help him understand the meanings behind them and to make lasting memories with our family. It’s my way of truly accepting his differences and needs as I hope that anyone else will too,” Nicole wrote.
To honor the holiday as a day on, not a day off, Montgomery County families can celebrate by volunteering their time in public service. Autistic children can participate in such activities as assembling hygiene kits and snack bags, or creating "Snow Day" boxes with Meals on Wheels. Older kids can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours necessary for graduation at these events serving their communities.
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center will hold a weekend of events, including service projects at county community recreation centers on Saturday and the MLK Day of Service & Volunteer Fair. Register for the volunteer fair here. Or if the weather’s nice, you can organize a park cleanup to recognize the day. The city of Rockville will have a celebration of its own, including more service opportunities such as making blankets and removing invasive species from park land. However you choose to spend the day, your family can spread the light of MLK even by small acts of kindness in your neighborhood. We can all use a little more of that.
|
|
|
We Achieved Our Fundraising Goal COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU |
|
|
As we close out 2024, we just want to say thank you to all our donors, volunteers, and event participants for making this year our best yet. We’ve reached our fundraising goal, so we can continue to host free events, discussion groups, webinars, and outdoor and indoor meetups. We have a huge 2025 planned, so this fundraising is more important than ever. Stay tuned for information about our annual MCPS placement primers in March and other programming during the rest of the year.
If you have not made a recent donation, it is not too late! Click the donate button below to support our work in the autism community. |
|
|
Nurturing Sibling Relationships VIRTUAL EVENT FEATURED REAL-LIFE SUGGESTIONS |
|
|
|
|
Siblings are the longest-lasting relationships we have in life. Whether you’re 10 or 50, your interaction with siblings can be at once loving and dramatic. Having an autistic sibling can be even more fraught. And parents can do more harm than good if we’re not careful in how we respond to our children, both the autistic ones and the neurotypical ones.
To help navigate the sibling storms, Caron Starobin & Bari Turkheimer were interviewed by Sarah Wayland in a virtual event December 11. Bari and Caron, two licensed clinical social workers, provided clear strategies to parents on how to guide their non-autistic children through the ups and downs of these relationships.
Watch the recording here on the xMinds YouTube Channel: Nurturing Supportive Sibling Relationships: Caron Starobin and Bari Turkheimer with Sarah Wayland
After you watch the interview, you can find tangible resources for siblings of all ages. |
|
|
Dan Explains All OR AT LEAST THE MCPS BUDGET PROCESS |
|
|
In the first episode of our new series, xMinds Explainers, board member Dan Amodeo takes a dive into the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) budget process, breaking down how the budget is developed, reviewed, and funded—and how you can make a difference. |
|
|
During
a listening session xMinds held in the fall, we realized parents didn’t
know how best to participate in this crucial funding procedure, so we created this new series. In addition to the
video series, we’ve put together key dates on our website. Watch this space for information on future videos. |
|
|
Welcome our New Program Assistant XMINDS STAFF EXPANDS |
|
|
|
|
Daniel Tims xMinds Program Assistant |
|
xMinds is thrilled to welcome Daniel Tims to the team as Program Assistant. Daniel graduated with a film degree, though his work experience has been everything from shooting documentaries to office manager for a medical adult day care. Most recently he spent 9 years working at Discovery Channel.
|
|
|
Daniel
has a 4-year-old son with autism who absolutely loves the xMinds playground meetups (and Winnie the Pooh!). He’s excited to share knowledge
and experience with others in the community. In his spare time, Daniel
loves a good story, whether it's a book, movie, show or video game; he
also dabbles in piano and programming. Let’s give a big, warm welcome to Daniel as the newest member of the xMinds team! For more information about xMinds staff, click here. |
|
|
Upcoming xMinds Events
XMINDS EVENTS, RESOURCES, & SERVICES ARE ALWAYS FREE
Monday, January 6, 7–7:45 p.m.
People of the Global Majority Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of autistic children who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Register here.
Tuesday, January 7 and Wednesday, February 5, 7–7:45 p.m.
Hablemos Educación Especial — Grupo de Discusión de Padres
El comité de xMinds sobre el alcance del idioma español está organizando un grupo de discusión en línea mensual en español para los padres de un estudiante autista del condado de Montgomery. Regístrese aquí.
Wednesday, January 8, 7-8:30 p.m.
What is PDA? Exploring the Autism Profile Everyone's Talking About
PDA North America Founder Diane Gould joins xMinds for a virtual event. Register here.
Saturday, January 18, 10-11:30 a.m.
Elementary and Preschool Open Gym Meetup
Meet other elementary and preschool families with autistic children. Join us for indoor play at Glen Haven Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD. See the details and register here.
Tuesday, January 21, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
How to Prep for a Successful IEP
Special needs attorney Frances Shefter repeats her presentation from the xMinds IEP Clinic. Register here. |
|
Wednesday, January 22, 7–7:45 p.m.
Let's Talk Transitions -- Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents of an autistic student in middle or high school. Register here.
Monday, January 27, 7–7:45 p.m.
Small Steps Together
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic elementary or preschool child. Register here.
Community Calendar
Our community calendar is FULL of great offerings not only from xMinds, but from professional service providers located in Montgomery County. Check out the programs and events posted on our Events Calendar.
Note: Our Events Calendar shows events on their start date, but some community programs require you to apply before the start date, so please look ahead! |
|
|
|
|
Please consider donating to xMinds. We offer all our resources to families and educators at no cost to ensure they are accessible to everyone who needs them. Your support is essential in helping us continue this work. Every contribution makes a difference!
|
|
|
|
.png)
