I'm Sandra McConnell, the PDA Mama Bear.  I'm an instructor, speaker, blogger, and coach.  I have two graduate certificates in Learning Differences & Neurodiversity in Executive Functioning and Autism (Landmark, 2021); Master of Arts in Forensic Psychophysiology (Argosy, 2006); and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Criminology (UNM, 2000).   I have experience in organizational leadership, corporate communications, mediation & conflict resolution, negotiation & elicitation, photography, and even crime scene investigation.  I live in Maryland, USA, with my husband who's ADHD, my 13-year-old son who's PDA, my 10-year-old son who's ADHD, and my 6-year-old daughter who's TBD. 

And I am officially diagnosed as autistic PDA and - plot twist! - a previous diagnosis of "Secret" Schizoid Personality (the DSM-III version, not the "worst case scenario" version from the DSM-V-TR). Schizoid Personality is not schizophrenia, it's more like autism. Did you know that both PDA and Schizoids need autonomy, are attracted to fantasy, and almost totally inspired from within? And both feel intruded upon by the world around us, but have different ways to escape: PDA avoids, controls, and explodes, whereas Schizoids detach, fake, and fantasize.  PDA is easier to spot because they usually prioritize avoidance, whereas Schizoids prioritize invisibility.

In both cases, their tactics are servants, not masters, to their true need, SAFETY.  So if you seek me out for coaching, we'll talk about what safety means, and what intrusions they may be feeling.  We'll talk about why they "lack a social identity" and what that means for their relationships, communication, and connections.  And we'll talk about how to forge relationships with them that are unintrusive, warm, and wise. 

Make an appointment today. My sessions are 100% pro bono, please just support PDA North America instead.