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 . It's not schizophrenia, it's closer to autism, and I've borrowed from it and more to help with our PDA. Did you know that both PDA and Schizoids crave autonomy, are attracted to fantasy, and feel intruded upon by demands the world places on them? But they "solve" their crises differently: PDA avoids, controls, or explodes, whereas Schizoids detach, fantasize, or fake. PDA is easier to spot, because they usually prioritize for avoidance, whereas Schizoids prioritize invisibility. In either case, their tactics are servants, not masters, to their true need, SAFETY. And that's something we can help with.

If you seek me out for coaching/training, we'll talk about what "safety" means, how sometimes the way we speak jeopardizes that, and what "lacking a social identity" actually means. We'll also talk about how to forge relationships with them that are warm, unintrusive, and wise. Because without that, they are unlikely to thrive.

Use the calendar tool below to make an appointment today. If you don't see anything that fits, use the contact tool to email me. My sessions are 100% pro bono ("free"), instead please donate to PDA North America , the only non-profit PDA resource in North America.