PDA North America Official List of Parent Recommended Education Providers

laurie@OPRFhomesforsale.com

youniversalwellness01@gmail.com

Celeste celesterobertsmartin@gmail.com

4196 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6R 4J5 Dristibuted Learning school in BC, available to all BC residents

celesterobertsmartin@gmail.com

https://grps.org/schools/elementary/gr-montessori/

https://www.self-directed.org/resource/self-directed-education-facilitator-2/

The staff here is absolutely amazing and does a fantastic job of supporting all students with their unique Neurodiversities. The school is nature based and allows for learning in academics with a focus on trauma informed social emotional growth. All the kids are able to show up in their full authentic selves and are respected and empowered.

lynnecolecounseling@gmail.com

The best school for neurodiverse learners! It has changed my sons life!

She had training in London and recognizes PDA. She asked me to complete the EDA-Q (extreme demand avoidance questionnaire), she will add PDA profile to the psychological report

IEP team is wonderful and always listening to the parent. My son is 9, non verbal, EXTREME task performance anxiety, Self Injurious, Sensory issues, tactile defensive,and elopement risk.

This is a tiny school and not only is he the ONE Autistic child that is non- verbal there BUT also the only one with PDA. His SPED teacher has went above and beyond offering extended school year (ESY), IEP’s, self- contained classroom with his own bathroom and quiet room, Specialized transportation with an entire full sized bus to come get him, and she communicates with me DAILY. Mrs. Palmer . He also has a 1:1 Para with him. Melissa who is wonderful too! His OT there is experienced with Sensory Integration and PDA. Take it from me, pick the small districts!!!!

They will accommodate! They know your rights, and they will GLADLY help you. They will let your child lead! Opportunistic learning and clear visual schedules. Very very structured

Self-directed learning environment, neurodiversity and PDA-affirming staff

this school values autonomy and choice and teaches from a master/apprentice standpoint in many ways. they see each child for who they are and find the best ways to spark that love of learning in whatever form that takes. the teachers and staff are passionate, authentic and creative, wanting to joyfully engage their students and collaborate on exciting experiments, side quests and projects. classes have between 2-3 teachers and stay in smaller groups offering more opportunities for 1:1 support/check ins throughout the day. they are gentle in any discipline, helping kids find different choices and being communicative with parents to collaborate on how to best support the kiddos. teachers are involved in helping problem solve social problems, working with both students, in the moment, to provide social scripts to help navigate the situation by genuinely hearing the kids and helping them come to a resolution with support, as needed. kids are mixed ages in classroom settings, so kids learn from each other naturally, there's more respect for their peers (knowing that they're teachers as much as they're learners) and there's a natural diversity in skill progression so no one feels like they're the sore thumb that's behind. this is an all-weather school where nature is a big focus, kids are able to be grounded by being outside and in partnership with nature (they tap maple trees and make maple syrup, tend to a garden and cook their bounty when ready for harvest; plant trees annually for graduating students; caretake chickens, etc.). they have lots of autonomy in choice throughout their day where they are in charge of how they spend their time ("choice time"), there are movement breaks and heavy work, even hammocks for kids to take a break in. they are curious in ways they can best support kids so they can be regulated and open to learning. learning happens at a slower pace with subjects being explored more in depth. there is a sizable number of neurodiverse students that go there so kids' ND identity becomes more neutral or positive-affirming, knowing that they have the safe support to learn without bullying and a kinship for others whose brains work similarly.

yes thebrownsonclark@gmail.com

i created and co-run a neurodiverse support group with other families at the school so there's extra outside support and community.

Each student has a Personal Education Plan, 6 to 1 facilitator to student ratio, each child gets an Ipad, sensory room for breaks, no need to ask for a bathroom break. Parent lounge on site for work from home parents. No required seating, bodies are free to move and fidget while listening.

Hybrid - 2-3 days in person a week.

At Cypress Speaks, we are neuro-affirming. We believe ALL brain types are valuable. Regarding PDA specifically, we are here to assist PDAers navigate relationships, interactions, schools, etc. as their most authentic self. We are here to assist with the paradigm shift with parenting and supporting PDAers (neurodiverse individuals in general) more appropriately versus trying to fit them in a "neurotypical" world.

Cypress Speaks; emily.henry@cypressspeaks.com; www.cypressspeaks.com; 281-246-0004

I'm the owner of Cypress Speaks Speech Therapy. PDA is a passion of mine, not only professionally, but personally as well. My 6 year old son is Autistic PDA and in Kindergarten. We have started our school journey and I would like to help educate not only parents but schools in Texas as well.

Sprouted Sage offers a First Roots Therapeutic Day Program. This is a full-day therapeutic Applied Behavioral Analysis program in a school-like setting for children with ASD up to the time they will transition to kindergarten (12 months-6 years). Children may also receive OT and ST. They are familiar with demand-resistant profiles of ASD as well as PDA. Teachers and clinicians have taken the time to learn more about PDA and the strategies to help demand-resistant and demand-avoidant children. They currently integrate these strategies into their work with my child. Note: this is a medical facility offering ABA therapy and takes insurance; however their goal is to help children successfully transition to kindergarten in a public school or other school.

Children who are 12 months - 6 years of age with an ASD diagnosis; they also support families in obtaining IEPs or 504 plans.

Nicole offers options for my children to do whichever projects they enjoy doing and never forces them to do anything. If they say, let’s do something else, they have more engaging projects ready. If they say my kids say they are done, Nicole respects that. Because Nicole focused on intentionally rapport-building with my children while assessing their strengths and interests, they are skilled at offering projects that excite and entice my children.

Email is fine. My website is littlewildlight.com but I don't think it is relevant to my testimonial! Would prefer my phone number not be published.

Nicole’s math tutoring serves both childeen who need additional academic support and children who are gifted and need enrichment. My children, who are hard to impress, look forward to seeing Nicole every single week.

Unknown but has done zoom with me

As a self-directed education center, Embark offers members (attendees) the opportunity to choose what the classes are and if to attend them. Embark uses a restorative justice program that helps members take responsibility for their actions and learn to work with each other to give community feedback. Embark has an open "campus" that fosters member independence. Andrea and Catina are empathetic and welcoming, and meet difficulties with a pragmatic optimism that encourages members to learn and progress. Members, many of whom have had bad experiences at schools in the past, joke about building a commune so that they never have to leave.

Self-directed learning center. One of two mentors is a PDAer. They are small and use a very member driven approach to running the center. My 13 yo PDAer has been there for almost a year and only missed a few days and doesn’t want to be late!

103 Loudoun St. SW Leesburg, VA 20175 540-277-3172 info@embarkcenter.org

It is for ages 9-18. The two leaders attended the PDANA conference in College Park!

Non-behaviorist, child-led, project-based learning. Teachers are welcoming of different kinds of brains and behaviors in children. Very low teacher to student ratio because they employ university students as aides in the classes. Children are allowed to be children, expectations are aligned with child development, and relationships are valued and important. You can observe your children in the classroom because it is a lab school so they have observation rooms.

Preschool (3-4 years) and kindergarten only

They don't ask about behavior. There campus and supports are vast. (Music, crafts, pets) They care about helping students with regulation ahead of education.

I am a therapist who has had 2 clients who have had positive experiences. I am happy to talk to families. I believe calling the program directly will be helpful and not frustrating.

They have open houses and parent support groups. They understand that families know their children the best.

The school has a non-traditional approach to learning and meets each student where they are. They start school at 10am and are intentionally small, with a low student-to-teacher ratio. I have found them to be low-demand in their approach, leaning in to a child's special interests as needed. They are also open to accepting technology (phones, computers) if a child would like to bring them to school.

amanda@familyandchildtherapy.com

Jenna works collaboratively to design an OT plan alongside her PDA clients, working as an equal partner and building in special interests effortlessly. She understands the diagnosis and accommodates beautifully, working as a team with child, parents, and other therapists.

Megan Kegley (the speech language pathologist) and Ione Clarke (the resident in counseling) both embrace PDA clients and their needs. They understand the autism profile and offer low-demand learning opportunities that are intrinsically interesting, so clients make wonderful progress. They are enthusiastic, warm, and dedicated to working as a team with the child, parents and other service-providers.

speech-language pathology, social skills, counseling

Michelle leads workshops and trainings on PDA and PDA learners.

The Sudberry model works well for many PDA students as it is a self-led education model and the school admin and staff are trauma informed, Ross Greene’s CPS model trained, and PDA trained. They meet each child where they are at and it is amazing.

melissadilmaghani@gmail.com

The Sudberry model works well for many PDA students as it is a self-led education model and the school admin and staff are trauma informed, Ross Greene’s CPS model trained, and PDA trained. They meet each child where they are at and it is amazing.

melissadilmaghani@gmail.com

Flexible, child-led, they support unschooling, and provide appropriate IEP support. Our special education teacher and Speech Therapists are outstanding, take time to build rapport with students, incorporate their special interests into learning and listen to parent input. Heartland is a charter for homeschoolers, they purchase all school supplies, art supplies and enrichment classes like horse riding, art, music, gymnastics, etc

Yes, carrie@risereimagined.org

The flexibility and so many options at Heartland has helped my children recover from their public school trauma and starting wanting to learn!

yes, remote learning and in-person enrichment classes

Self directed education offers maximum autonomy to kids! This has been a really wonderful, nurturing and exciting environment for our PDA-er. Ben Draper and Denise Geddes, who founded Macomber, both experienced the Sudbury Valley School in its early days and are wonderful resources.

katherine.c.spencer@gmail.com

I would like to redact my recommendation of AMPED Hybrid Academy.

It actually is not. My non-pdaer has now been suspended twice for fairly minor behaviors, my PDAer, is in a different class room, and her teacher is much better however, she was recently suspended for calling a kid a jerk.

Discovery Circle was developed for PDA kids and teens. Discovery Circle is a self-directed, play-based educational community that empowers learners to take charge of their own learning journeys. Rooted in neuro-affirming principles, Discovery Circle provides a low-demand, adaptable, and nurturing educational environment that embraces individuality.

The Board of Directors are parents of PDA kids. The program runs two days a week with plans to expand to 3 days a week in the future.

Discovery Circle was created for PDA kids and teens. Discovery Circle is a self-directed, play-based educational community that empowers learners to take charge of their own learning journeys. Rooted in neuro-affirming principles, Discovery Circle provides a low-demand, adaptable, and nurturing educational environment that embraces individuality.

The Board of Directors are parents of PDA kids. The program runs two days a week with plans to expand to three days a week.

The entire early childhood faculty, administration, and staff have worked tirelessly to ensure that my daughter has been provided with the services she needs to meet her IEP goals and her overall temperament when she is at school is quite regulated. I know that my child is genuinely loved at MRELC and she is excited to go to school everyday.

https://sites.google.com/dc.gov/militaryroadelc/home

Instructor is a PDAer with their own PDA kid; has been very receptive to working with us to support and accommodate our own kid.

Small group, fully outdoors, masks required.

Self directed learning along with democratic, student led governance. Son still struggles with social challenges, but is able to attend and participate!