PO Box 411, Frederick, MD 21705
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The PDA Mama Bear

Sandra McConnell

I serve the community as a blogger, speaker, and trainer about Autistic Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), via blog, emails, webinars, conferences, and one-on-one consultations (more below).   


My education includes two recent graduate certificates in Learning Differences & Neurodiversity specializing in Executive Functioning and Autism (Landmark College, 2021); certification in PDA through the UK-based, OCN-accredited organization, Neurodivergent Education Support and Training (NEST, 2020); a master's degree in Forensic Psychophysiology (Argosy University, 2006); and a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Criminology (UNM, 2000).   


My experience and training includes being an instructor in topics related to Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity (EEOD, current); corporate communications; mediation and conflict resolution; interview and negotiation; various positions of organizational leadership; and even crime scene investigation.


And I am also an experienced mother of three children, the oldest of whom is both gifted and PDA, now aged 11 and doing well in mainstream 5th grade. I live with my husband and children in Maryland, USA.  I identify as neurodivergent and positively PDA.  And I offer a unique perspective of psychology, sociology, and PDA that rejects the old, rigid paradigms based on force and obedience, and instead I advocate for strength, warmth, wisdom, safety, and communication.  

Dear PDA Mama Bear,

Email me a "Dear PDA Mama Bear" question and I'll answer for no charge. It might make a great blog (minus your personal details, of course)! I also speak about PDA at webinars and conferences. I train adults like parents, teachers, and professionals by phone or Zoom. My rate is $75/hour, preceded by a free, no-obligation introductory session to meet and tell me your PDA story. Training is intended to be finite (3-6 sessions is common), to move the adult learner up a level, from whence they are encouraged to go out into the world and apply/experiment with it. All are invited to circle back to learn more, or get help understanding their results. My consultation times are 3:30pm and 8pm in the eastern United States (EDT) on the weekdays, but I can offer other times in exigent circumstances. I'm a little PDA myself, so it can take a few days to respond to emails. Thank you!

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Sandra R. McConnell, LLC

PO Box 411, Frederick, MD 210705

PDAMamaBear@gmail.com (email) 443-653-9449 (text)


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