​​​​​​​​​​Event Details

• Date: Friday, October 16, 2026

• Location: Sunnyside High School Theatre (1019 S Peach Ave, Fresno, CA 93727)

• Schedule: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Lunch Break | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• Continuing Education: 6 CE / CPD Hours (LEPs, LPCCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and NCSPs under Provider #1025)

   

Registration & Pricing

• Member: $75

• Non-Member: $100

• Student Member: $35

• Student Non-Member: $50

   

Workshop Overview

Autism prevalence has risen sharply, partly due to a better understanding of individuals who camouflage their traits. This 6-hour workshop provides school psychologists and clinicians with concrete, practical tools to recognize less obvious autism presentations, navigate complex differential diagnoses, and support students with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).

 

Agenda

• Part 1: Identifying Masked Autism

  A deep dive into DSM diagnostic criteria and the diverse ways autism presents—specifically focusing on bright students and individuals who camouflage their traits.

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• Part 2: Navigating Differential Diagnosis

  Practical strategies to distinguish autism from overlapping conditions, including ADHD, Social Anxiety, ODD, OCD, Social/Pragmatic Communication Disorder (S/PCD), DMDD, Trauma, Giftedness, and Borderline Personality Disorder.

   

• Part 3: Understanding the PDA Profile

  An exploration of PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance / Pervasive Drive for Autonomy). Learn to recognize its core neurological features, avoid counterproductive interventions, and implement supportive strategies for assessment, intervention, and family collaboration.

   

About the Presenter

Dr. Donna Henderson is a clinical neuropsychologist with over 30 years of experience specializing in neurodiversity-affirmative evaluations. Based at The Stixrud Group in Silver Spring, MD, she is a sought-after lecturer and co-author of Is This Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else and Is This Autism? A Companion Guide for Diagnosing.