EOTAS bespoke
CPD accredited training
PDA Society training - rooted in research and lived experience
This course is designed to expand the knowledge and confidence of professionals supporting PDA learners aged 5–16, offered as a bespoke package tailored to the provision or EOTAS professionals delivering the EOTAS educational package.
- Our training is delivered by experienced facilitators who combine lived experience of PDA with professional knowledge and expertise – including PDAers, professionals, parents, carers who live and breathe this work every day.
- Core content is tailored to your setting.
- All delegates receive a CPD certificate on completion.
- Flexible delivery – available live online (Zoom/Teams) or in-person subject to availability.
- Standard duration is 4 hours – alternative session lengths available on request, with adapted content and CPD hours adjusted accordingly.
- Offered as a standalone course, full-day session with CPD accredited workshops or a Bespoke package
Course content
- What is PDA?
- Explores demands and their effects
- Looks at how PDA can feel
- Considers helpful approaches (including collaborative problem solving)
- Educational good practice and where to go for help
- Reasonable adjustments
- PDA children as learners
- Ideas for the classroom and demonstrating progress
- Case studies and Q&A
Course aims and objectives
Aims:
- Increase understanding of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
- Gain insight into PDA, a unique profile within the autism spectrum that calls for tailored support approaches.
- Develop flexible, personalised approaches.
- Build a tailored framework of practical approaches to support PDA learners in your setting.
CPD objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Identify the different terminology which could be present in an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) and may indicate a PDA profile
- Explain what Pathological Demand Avoidance is and how it fits within the autism spectrum
- Appreciate what constitutes a demand from a PDA autistic person’s view point
- Understand the importance of trust and how this can be built
- Be aware of what demand avoidance may look like
- Understand what is meant by ‘masking’ and why this can cause confusion between different settings
- Appreciate the effects that PDA can have on the person and how this can make the person feel
- Identify how to adapt their own practice to better accommodate the needs of a PDA person and what reasonable adjustments may be required
- Understand the importance of phraseology and language when supporting PDA learners
- Understand why sensory processing difficulties can contribute to distressed behaviours
- Be aware of the strategies which best support a learner with distressed behaviours
- Appreciate the differences that may be seen in PDA Autistic learners vs other neurotypes
- Understand the ideal school principles which best accommodate PDA Autistic learners
- Find resources and know where to go for further information on the topics covered
- Practically apply the knowledge learned in the session to real world case studies
Additional options
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CPD accredited EOTAS course (standalone)
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Full day session: the EOTAS course plus trainer-led CPD accredited workshops, helping staff deepen their understanding of PDA by applying it to practical case studies and real-world scenarios *additional fee applies
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EOTAS package: the course plus 1-hour online Q&A sessions held later, giving your team the chance to revisit key topics and ask questions once they’ve applied the learning.
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Optional add-on: on-demand recording via our online Training Hub. Access lasts 12 months to allocate places; individuals then have 14 days to complete the course *additional fee applies
Delivery options
Live Training
- Available online via Zoom/Teams or in-person at your location (subject to trainer availability)
- Scheduled date and time agreed with your organisation
- Core content tailored to reflect your service needs and processes
- Q&A included at the end of the session
- Optional session recording available
Embedding your learning - Follow up Q&A session
This optional add-on can be booked at any point within 12 months of your training, giving your team the opportunity to revisit key topics, ask questions and consolidate their learning once they have had time to apply it in practice.
This session is exclusively for delegates who attended the original course.
- 1-hour live Q&A session
- Delivered online via Zoom or Teams
To receive a quote or more information
Further information
Professional training hub subscription (Online CPD)
For organisations who want to provide ongoing training for wider teams, the PDA Society also offers access to our Professional Training Hub.
Many organisations choose to combine live training with a subscription, allowing staff to revisit key topics and support ongoing professional development.
The training hub is often used after live training to support new staff and reinforce learning across teams.
The subscription provides:
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12 months access to the PDA Society Training Hub
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25 professional licences
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access to self-paced learning modules and resources
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up to 10 hours of CPD training for educators and professionals
£1,800 per year for up to 25 licences.
Discounted rates may be available for larger organisations.
Full details of our professional subscription can be found here.
Payment terms
- An invoice will be submitted by the PDA Society 6 weeks before the session and payment terms are then 30 days from date of invoice.
- For late bookings i.e. within 30 days of the event taking place, payment terms will be stated as two days prior to the date of event.
- In certain circumstances where procurement restrictions are in place to avoid advance payment it may be possible to secure training through a deposit payment. Please contact us to discuss eligibility
Frequently asked questions
