Presented by Jim Taylor and Sponsored by Indiana Resource Center for Autism
April 18, 2025
9am - 2:30pm EST (with 1 hour lunch)
Virtual via Zoom
Autism and Neurodiversity: Addressing PDA and Improving Quality of Life Outcomes
About Jim Taylor
Jim Taylor: knows autism. Jim is an experienced professional in Autism having worked in the field for over 45 years. Currently working independently, he was formerly Director of Education and Support Services in a national organisation. He was instrumental in the design and development of New Struan School, A Centre for Autism, one of the first buildings in the world designed specifically around the learning styles and needs of autistic students. Having been ‘Released back into the world of Autism’, Jim is currently involved in a number of exciting new projects both in schools and in services for autistic adults around the UK, Ireland and across Europe, most recently in Romania and Estonia. He continues to work with autistic individuals, with their families and relevant professionals. He was the Chair of the National Autistic Society’s Accreditation Standards Body and advises a number of UK-wide Service Providers and Local Education Authorities.
In March 2015, Jim was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Autistic Society. In November of the same year, Jim was presented with the prestigious Excellence in Education Award by the Ohio Center for Autism in Columbus, Ohio.
Jim has presented multiple papers at Ocalicon in Columbus, Ohio, since 2007.
Schedule
- 9:00am - 11:15am - Session I
- 11:15am - 12:15pm - Lunch Break
- 12:15pm - 2:30pm - Session II
Session I: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): What Do We Need to Re-think?
The thinking and learning styles of those neurodivergent students diagnosed with, or those who self-identify as PDA, can present educators, families and the individuals themselves with significant challenges. This session will identify and explore these challenges and, through the use of real-life case studies, will take a more detailed look at strategies that have proved successful across school ages and beyond into adult life.
Session II: Do We Really Know What We Mean When We Talk About Quality of Life? What Are the Implications for the Classroom?
The skills required to improve quality of life need to be systematically taught. Many first-person accounts identify anxiety and absence of agency as fundamental barriers to quality of life for autistic people. This presentation will explore contemporary case studies that form a link with quality of life and classroom performance and attainment. How can we best use teaching and learning styles in the classroom to inform and promote the health and wellbeing of our students and subsequently, their educational outcomes and quality of life?
Cost and Registration
- The registration fee for this workshop is:
- $125 USD for professionals
- $100 USD for parents/caregivers
- $100 USD (with code) for Autism Leaders/Behavior Consultants
- Payment is by credit card or purchase order only.
- Upon registration, you will receive the Zoom workshop link on the payment confirmation page and in your invoice email from iuconfs@iu.edu.
- You will receive an email acknowledgement of payment—this email is your confirmation and receipt. Please keep it for your records and for reimbursement purposes.
- All registrations are final. There will be no refunds.
Who Should Attend
This workshop is designed for special education teachers, general education teachers, administrators, autism consultants, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, family members, and any other professional working with individuals with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
Additional Details
Certificates of Attendance for 5 instructional hours will be available at no charge and can be used for:
- Professional Growth Plan points.
- Indiana Professional Licensing Agency Continuing Education hours for Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapist Assistants licensing requirements.
- Indiana Professional Licensing Agency Category 1 Continuing Education for Social Workers (LSW), Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Addiction Counselors (LAC), Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFT), Mental Health Counselors (LMHC), and Clinical Addiction Counselors (LCAC) licensing requirements.
If you have questions about the workshop content, please contact us at irca@iu.edu. All registration payment questions should be directed to IU Conferences at iuconfs@iu.edu or 800-933-9330.
The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community is committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. If you have questions about accessibility or have a request for alternative formats or other accommodations, please contact IRCA at irca@indiana.edu or 812-855-6508. The deadline for accommodation requests for this workshop is March 28, 2025.