From Social Worker to PDA Advocate with Diane Gould

Diane Gould, a licensed clinical social worker and PDA specialist, shares her journey and insights into the world of neurodivergence and the Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile of Autism. The discussion explores the trauma faced by neurodivergent individuals, the crucial role of co-regulation in managing behavior, the significance of understanding and adapting to diverse 'brain wirings', and the dangers of blame culture in education and parenting. Diane also touches on the struggles faced in writing her forthcoming book about PDA, and emphasizes the importance of community in supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families. The conversation concludes with details about the upcoming conference on PDA that Diane is organizing.00:38 Getting to Know Diane Gould01:23 Diane's Journey to Social Work02:33 Diane's Experience with Autism and Trauma04:17 The Demand Avoidance Profile of Autism05:11 The Importance of Understanding Neurodivergence06:11 The Challenges of the Current Education System07:27 The Power of Being and Co-Regulation23:01 The Upcoming PDA Conference25:55 Diane's Upcoming Book