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Parenting your PDA Child or Teen: Navigating Boundaries, Regulation, and Connection
Hosted in AWST

Beyond Compliance: Nurturing Regulation and Connection at Home with your Autistic/ PDA Child or Teen


Join us for an empowering and practical training and morning tea for parents in Melbourne! Dads encouraged to attend! 

This year, we’ll be diving deeper into understanding PDA in children and teens— exploring what’s happening beneath the surface and how to create a family dynamic that supports safety, collaboration, and connection.

We’re also thrilled to have Karl Smith, a Dad of PDA young adults, joining us to share his lived experience and insights.

This event is a great opportunity to connect with other parents, gain practical strategies, and enjoy some refreshments in a supportive space.

We look forward to meeting you! 

What You’ll Learn:

🔍 Looking Below the Surface – Understanding the underlying anxiety and need for control that drive PDA behaviours.

🗣 Behaviour as Communication – Learning to decode distress signals and meet your child’s needs without escalating demands.

⚡ Meltdowns, Shutdowns & Demand Avoidance – Practical strategies to navigate intense moments while maintaining trust.

🤝 Collaborative Parenting for PDA – Moving away from control-based approaches and towards co-regulation, partnership, and autonomy.

💙 Self-Care & Support Networks – PDA parenting is intense. Learn how to take care of yourself and find a community that truly understands.

This is a rare opportunity to connect with other parents who get it, gain practical strategies, and hear directly from parents/ clinicians. Refreshments included!

Why Attend: 

An opportunity to connect with fellow parents in a warm, supportive space where every experience is valued and respected.

Interactive Discussion & Practical Takeaways: You'll have the chance to ask questions and engage with our trained presenters, who will offer expert insights and practical strategies based on lived and clinical experience. 

Who is this for?

  • Parents 
  • Grandparents
  • Caregivers 
  • Anyone who supports a neurodivergent child (e.g., Autism, PDA, ADHD) child at home.  

Don't miss this opportunity to gain the skills and confidence to navigate crises and set healthy boundaries with your child—without the guilt or overwhelm.

Secure your spot today and transform the way you support your child while caring for yourself!  

 Investment: $79.00 excl. GST 

Meet Your Presenters 

Dr Theresa Kidd

Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Director at The Kidd Clinic

 

Theresa is part of a neurodivergent family including two PDA children (now young adults). She is an clinical psychologist, research fellow and the clinical director of The Kidd Clinic, a private, national psychology group practice focused on Autism, ADHD, and mental health across the lifespan. Theresa has a background in Disability and Employment, Autism and Education (including home education, 'school can't', and founding a program for Autistic university students), and Autism and mental health. She is committed to helping neurodivergent individuals of all ages to minimise their challenges, harness their strengths and to achieve meaningful life goals. 



Melanie Turner 

Senior Counselling and Clinical Psychologist  

Principal Psychologist, Clinical Operations Lead, Senior Counselling and Clinical Psychologist at The Kidd Clinic. 

Melanie is an endorsed Counselling and Clinical Psychologist and has been practising for 17 years. Historically, she has worked across all areas of mental health and has vast experience with anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, emotional regulation and more.

Melanie is very interested in working with neurodivergent adults and older teens (16 and above) and has a special interest in late diagnosed Autistic/ADHD women challenges, harness their strengths and to achieve meaningful life goals.

Melanie has worked in not for profit community based organisations, custodial settings, university settings and private practice, , in clinician and management roles.




Kate Harman 

Clinical Team Lead (Supervision) and Clinical Psychologist at The Kidd Clinic (Melbourne). 

Kate is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience in working in multiple settings with a diverse range of people. Kate is passionate about creating a warm and calming environment in her sessions with clients to enable therapeutic growth. Kate is client centred and believes in meeting people where they are. She takes a strengths-based approach and is trained in several therapeutic modalities including CBT, ACT and CFT.  Kate is a mindfulness meditation teacher and values fostering compassion and meditation practice both personally and professionally. She has worked with many neurodivergent clients and has multiple neurodivergent family members. 

FAQs

Q. Can I request an invoice for NDIS purposes?

Yes! Please fill out the following form to request an invoice to be sent to you. 

Invoice Request Form


Q. What is the cancellation policy?

We understand that plans may need to change. 

If you need to cancel your registration, including change of mind, please note the following terms. 

• Cancellations must be made in writing to events@kiddclinic.com.au.

• Cancellations made 15 days or more prior to the event will incur a 50% cancellation fee. 

• Cancellations made 14 days or less prior to the event will incur a 100% cancellation fee. 

• Refunds will not be offered in the event of non-attendance.


Check out our full Terms & Conditions here: https://the-kidd-clinic.odoo.com/terms