As a school, we are always keen to invest in high quality training opportunities for our Learning Support Team and develop skills and strategies to help all of our young people. However very rarely, do we come across a training session that is so informative and with many practical strategies to develop the abilities of all staff. Positive Autism Support and Trainings session regarding Pathological Demand Avoidance was a fascinating insight to the difficulties and challenges that face people with autism every day of their lives. The practical examples and past-experiences given by the training lead Laura Kerbey resonated with every member of our Learning Support team and gave them the chance to reflect on their practice and embed some of the strategies into their everyday support. This training opportunity is ‘a must’ for anyone working with young people with a diagnosis of autism or even traits of autism because there is so much to learn, it will give great insight and it may give key you that vital strategy that makes difficult days for young people with PDA a little more accessible. 

Once again massive thank you from all in the Learning Support Team at Twynham School.

— Scott Bailey | Deputy SENCO, Twynham School 

We were absolutely delighted with Laura's presentation on Understanding PDA. All of the attendees found the session so useful. Laura is a gifted presenter and trainer and her passion for this subject is obvious. The session was engaging, with Laura sharing so much of her knowledge and personal experience, balanced with strategies on how we can help our children with Pathological Demand Avoidance.

— Kate Laine-Toner | Founding Director, Bristol Autism Support

As a former soldier who is used to executing instructions (whether I like them or not) without question, I can safely say Pathological Demand Avoidance was my nemesis for years. With help from Laura and Harry to understand the needs of a child with a PDA profile I now have a clear understanding of my daughters needs and strategies to help us manage as a family. I decided to take the course and qualification in “Supporting Children, Teenagers and Young People with Pathological Demand Avoidance” to cement my knowledge and help me overcome obstacles for my daughter where certain establishments have been quick to dismiss my daughters differences without any knowledge of those differences. Finding Laura and Harry has probably helped keep my family together and will help my daughter for years to come.”

— Robert, PDA Parent 

“Laura Kerbey delivered a half-day training session to my team at work recently on Autism and Pathological Demand Avoidance. This was the most useful training we have had for a long time. Laura was very engaging with clear, advice on strategies as well as amusing and helpful anecdotes. These examples really helped to illuminate the issues. The combination of evidence and research in the presentation made the information credible and relatable. My colleagues felt that they understood the issues behind the labels of ASD and PDA and also how to better support our families who have to manage the behaviour on a daily basis. I can definitely recommend this training if you are a parent or if you are supporting parents. Thank you, Laura!” 

— Cerys Williams, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council,

I can highly recommend the PDA Level 3 course. I found it to be very informative, interesting and thought provoking – it has definitely added to my knowledge bank! Being given time after the course to complete the workbook allowed me to revisit the content and really examine and understand how best to support young people with PDA and their families. A very positive and well presented course – thank you Laura and Harry!

Kirsten Terry | Kent SEND Support

"Dear Laura - I wanted to write to say a huge thank you for the most inspiring and informative INSET here at Kimbolton on Monday, this week. Your approach was so refreshing, engaging and staff especially liked the personal anecdotes and light touch approach to the training. We’ve certainly got a bit of work to do but you have set the direction of travel very firmly. On a personal level I can honestly say it was the best INSET I have experienced in a very long time indeed.  Many thanks and well done!”

— Phil Foley | Head Teacher Kimbolton School, Cambridge

You may not realise just how many lives  you actually change by your training courses so I felt the need to tell you. Since we attended our life has become a lot better, we try as many strategies as possible and this reduces our children's anxiety. Also since attending your second course and meeting Harry we removed our younger son from school completely (last September) and the changes have been amazing.

Our son, as advised by yourself, was given lots of time to decompress and left with many days with little demands as possible. We have been offered a special needs high school for him which he has agreed to try but if it's not for him he will be taken out and will learn at home. Ultimately we will get there as a family.   After our son's diagnosis we were lost until we found you and from that day so much changed for the better. I think to also add that finally understanding why my children behaved the way the had  made so much sense and they didn't need put in their place and on our second visit we brought my husband's parents along which added to support as before they thought it mad to take him out of school to do absolutely nothing (they left realising that's exactly what he required for his mental health.)

Once again on behalf of my husband and I along with the rest of my family thank you

— PDA Course attendee

I thoroughly enjoyed completing the Level 3 PDA course run by NEST. The course content was highly interesting and expertly delivered by Laura and Harry. Many real life scenarios and lived experiences were shared and these help you as the learner to truly understand the complexity of PDA. Their passion around the whole subject of Neurodiversity shines through and the course teaches you about empathetic and respectful ways to support PDA individuals to thrive. I would highly recommend!

— PDA Course attendee

We’ve long been huge fans of Laura’s and Harry’s, and over the years have attended loads of in-person and online events and courses they’ve either hosted or been part of.  They’re without doubt amongst the UK’s leading Neurodivergent voices and educators. When we formed the Autistic Collective at the end of 2020, it was a no-brainer we’d invite them to come to talk to our group!

Laura was one of our first guests and she delivered an amazing session on ADHD to a packed room.  The response from our attendees was massively positive.  A couple of months later, we were delighted that both Laura and Harry were able to host PDA training for us.  Within minutes of the session ending, our mailbox filled up with people telling us how much they enjoyed it….and asking when they would be back! 

Harry / Laura - we love your training content, delivery style and energy, and the dynamic and the relationship between the pair of you. Your anecdotes, analogies and perspectives are so refreshingly unique and brilliantly explained. Between all of that, the easy banter and proper laugh-out-loud moments, the session just flew in.  We could have listened to you all night! A massive thank you again from us, and our lovely group of parents and carers.

Haste ye back! 

- Catriona, Lesley & Helen, The Autistic Collective East Renfrewshire