Diane Gould Therapy

Home
United States
Deerfield, IL
Diane Gould Therapy

Specializing in serving neurodivergent (PDA included)children, teens and adults and their families Ms. Her approach to behavior change is in no way traditional.

Gould has over 40 years of experience providing therapeutic services to children and adults. She is able to provide a clinical approach to changing behavior while using brain science. Concerning behaviors result from underlying issues that need to be addressed. She knows from experience that behavior plans sit in drawers and file cabinets and are not used. They also are often ineffective as they only address the signal that there is a problem. Gould partners with individuals, parents, teachers and caregivers to come up with practical solutions to concerning behaviors by teaching skills and changing the environment. The stress is addressed which is communicated through behavior. The solutions reflect that what is observable is a neurological response to perceived threat. Individuals don’t make a conscious choice to have challenging behavior. These solutions are respectful, effective and sensible. Gould understands the challenges facing families of children who are struggling. As an experienced parent herself, she knows that a parent’s sense of well-being is based on how one’s children are faring physically, academically, emotionally and socially. A parent is really only as happy as their least happy child. Parents may need support from an objective professional at different periods during their child’s life. Couples may need counseling to strengthen their relationship in order to become better parents. Siblings and grandparents may need support as well. Gould helps parents build on their own strengths and find the inner resources to be the best parent they can be. She does not view needing professional support to be a sign of pathology or inadequacy. Individuals may need a partner in their journey of self-understanding. Some people need help learning to advocate to get their needs met. Gould’s services strive make improvements in daily life. She has had relationships with clients that has spanned decades and believes it is the relationship that is most important. Gould enjoys providing training and consultation to other professionals. Regardless of whether the service is relationship training, behavioral support or empathetic therapy, Ms. Gould believes that every client deserves the utmost respect and the highest quality services. She views those services as being Neurodevelopmentally informed, trauma sensitive, biologically respectful, relationship based ways of supporting all humans.

05/01/2025

I’m excited to be speaking at the Beyond Behaviorism conference, hosted by the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint! Join us as we explore new approaches to supporting students and moving beyond traditional behaviorism.

I'll be speaking on the topic of "Why Behaviorism Fails PDAers and What to Do Instead" on May 9th as part of this two-day conference alongside so many other incredible professionals.

Learn more and register:

The Beyond Behaviorism conference will focus on understanding the controversy and exploring alternatives.

03/03/2025

To all of you that wait till the last minute, this is your sign! ⏳ Ticket sales for the PDA North America Conference Name end TODAY (March 3rd) at 7PM. Don’t miss out—grab yours now and join us!

🎟️ https://buff.ly/qaWlNfF

“This conference has
CHANGED OUR LIVES
and the lives of generations to come.”

- 2024 Conference Attendee

See you there!

01/23/2025

When we feel like we can't cope with the everyday demands in our life, we can feel overwhelmed. For PDAers, this might lead to distressed behaviours like meltdowns, shutdowns, fight-or-flight responses, or even aggressive behaviours.

It can be helpful to think of these moments as a panic attack - by creating a calm space we can help speed up de-escalation and recovery.

If you want to learn more about responding to distressed behaviours and recognising triggers, check out this resource: https://ow.ly/vpEb50UK3oa

12/30/2024

It's been a huge personal goal of mine to get PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) into the broader conversation around autism.

I am so thrilled to announce that I'll be doing the keynote presentation at the Autism Society of Wisconsin's 36th annual Conference in April! I'll be speaking on April 4th as the keynote on the topic of how "Understanding PDA Helped Me Better Understand Autism. Understanding Autism Helped Me Better Understand Myself. And Both Made Me a More Effective Professional."

So honored to be asked to do this presentation and hope to see some of you there! For more details and tickets, go to their website: https://buff.ly/3DxXWfh

12/23/2024

ICYMI - the PDA Learning Lab from is 20% off all webinars & 2-hour trainings on our PDA Learning Lab until Dec. 31st! (bundles and Level 1 trainings excluded)

Promo code: LEARNPDA

Courses include (but not limited to!):
> Guide to PDA Assessments with Dr. Jessica Myszak
> Parenting PDA with PDA Parent Coach Sandra McConnell
> IEP Webinars & Workshops with Dr. Destiny Huff & Dr Karen Rosian
> Internalized PDA with Rabbi Shoshana
> Interoception & PDA with OT Christy Schmidt
> Is My PDAer Autistic with Dr. Donna Henderson
> PDA and Excutive Functioning with Dr. Jennifer Huffman
> Various courses by Adult PDAers
> Many more!

PDA Learning Lab: https://buff.ly/3Nn3sD7

Promo Code: LEARNPDA

12/17/2024

My friends at Supportable Solutions are starting a book club on Jan. 7th with my book, "Navigating PDA in America", and I'm so thrilled! They will host five weekly sessions, and the fifth will include a Live Q&A with me.

You can find more information and sign up on their website: https://buff.ly/3ZKn61B

12/10/2024

Our friend and collaborator .nd.nurse.consulting created an amazing strengths-focused guide of the lesser discussed PDA traits:

> FANTASY & MAKE BELIEVE
> CREATIVE THINKING
> PERSONAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
> EQUALITY VS HIERARCHY
> SENSE OF HUMOR

If you want a printable version, check out the free PDFs on our website to download and print and share!

DOWNLOAD HERE: https://buff.ly/3BEh9dX

Keep an eye out for more great collaborations with Laura coming in 2025!

12/03/2024

We have just launched our year-end fundraiser for and would love your support!

Our goal is to raise $20,000 by Dec 31st! Can you help us get there? ❤️ Every dollar counts!

12/02/2024

PDA is widely theorized to be a subtype of autism. In this webinar Dr. Donna Henderson, neuropsychologist and author of "Is this Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else" explains the diagnostic criteria for autism and describe what that might look like in an autistic person who camouflages (which includes many, if not most, PDAers).

Register here: https://buff.ly/49f67IW

PDA is widely theorized to be a subtype of autism. In this webinar Dr. Henderson explains the diagnostic criteria for autism and describe what that might look like in an autistic person who camouflages (which includes many, if not most, PDAers).

12/01/2024

We have Big news! After two years of teaching it quarterly, our Official Level 1 PDA North America Training Program is now available as a self-paced course online on our PDA Learning Lab! This course is taught by three autistic PDA experts, Diane Gould (our founder), Zach Morris, M.Ed., and Sandra McConnell, PDA parenting coach and Adult PDAer.

In this 3-hour course you will:

> Discover the fundamentals of PDA Autism to build stronger connections and support networks for individuals with PDA.

> Learn how to communicate effectively with PDAers to foster understanding and create meaningful interactions.

> And gain insights on adapting educational approaches to meet the unique learning styles of individuals with PDA.

You'll receive a certificate of completion and social workers that take this course will receive 3 CEs. Please make sure to purchase the version of the course for Social Workers as it has a quiz & survey you must complete at the end!

Take Level 1 at your pace: https://buff.ly/3OAg8ae

Social Workers Register here: https://buff.ly/3Zldtq2

(Feel free to DM us for direct links on Instagram!)

11/27/2024

I had the pleasure of being a guest on Frances Shefter’s podcast, Stress-Free IEP® Podcast.

Tune in to hear about:

*Understanding PDA: Pathological Demand Avoidance - A profile of autism characterized by a heightened need for autonomy & an instinctive avoidance of perceived demands.

*Challenges Faced by PDA Students in Schools - How emotional regulation impacts learning

*Supporting PDA Students in Schools - Fostering trust and focusing on co-regulation

*Parenting & Advocacy for PDA Students - Avoiding traditional parenting traps

Website:

Stress-Free IEP® with Frances Shefter, Episode 79 https://youtube.com/live/32J7NY3lSwI In this episode of Stress-Free IEP ®, Frances Shefter speaks with Diane Gould, Founder & Executive Director of PDA North America. PDA North America provides support and resources for individuals, families, and p...

Address

400 Lake Cook Road Suite 112
Deerfield, IL
60015

Website

https://www.dianegouldtherapy.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Diane Gould Therapy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Diane Gould Therapy:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Deerfield?