Publications and Research

• Carlozzi et al. “The Pathological Demand Avoidance Questionnaire (PDAQ) Development of a new measure of demand avoidance” (Forthcoming, 2026)
• Carlozzi et al., “Assessing Health-Related Quality of Life in Caregivers of Neurodivergent Children” (Forthcoming, 2026)
• Carlozzi et al. “A comprehensive parent training program for parents of neurodivergent children with Pathological Demand Avoidance: The Paradigm Shift Program Pilot Study,” Pediatric Investigation (2025).
• Ehrlich, C. “The PDA Lens,” Psychotherapy Networker (2025)
• Ehrlich, C. “My 6-year-old is Teaching me to be a True Ally,” Detroit Free Press (2021)

Presentations

• NeuroAffirm X, “Pathological Demand Avoidance, Autonomy, and the Nervous System,” (2026)
• PDA Conference, Dalarna University, Sweden. Keynote Speaker: “Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance,” (2025)
• Neurodiversity Ireland Summit, University of Dublin, Ireland, Keynote Speaker: “PDA – Pervasive Drive for Autonomy,” (2025)
• “The Pathological Demand Avoidance Questionnaire (PDAQ) Development of a new measure of demand avoidance,” PDA Society Research Group (2025)
• The Learn Play Thrive 2024 Continuing Education Summit. “Navigating Demand Avoidance: Threat, Safety, and Foot on the Gas,” (2024)
• Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE), "Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance, (2023)
• Google - Champions of Neurodiverse Families Employee Resource Group. What is PDA? 2024
• The Learn Play Thrive 2024 Continuing Education Summit. Navigating Demand Avoidance: Threat, Safety, and Foot on the Gas - with Mel Houser, M.D. 2024
• Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) "Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance" 2023
• “Identifying and Supporting PDA Autism in the Classroom”
  • San Mateo (CA) School District, 2023
  • Sudbury Democratic School of Miami, 2022
• "Threat, Safety, and Foot on the Gas" - with Dr. Mel Houser, M.D.
  • Brain Club at All Brains Belong, 2022
  • Vermont Association of Occupational Therapists, 2022
  • Vermont Family Network, 2022.
• Yahoo Global - Parents and Caregivers Neurodiversity Employee Resource Group, 2022
• The ADHD Summit: What Caregivers and Professionals Need to Know, 2022

Podcast Appearances

• I Have ADHD
• The ADHD Women’s Well-Being Podcast
• Owning it: The Anxiety Podcast
• Beautifully Complex with Penny Williams
• Neurotangents
• 90-Minute School Day
• Diverse Thinking, Different Learning
• Elevating Motherhood
• Two Sides of the Spectrum
• Sensory WISE Solutions
• TILT Parenting
• The Neurodiversity Podcast
• The Autism ADHD Podcast
• Sage Family
• Complicated Kids
• Autism Little Learners
• Peaceful Parenting with Sarah Rosensweet
• Momwell
• Learn with Dr. Emily
• Well Hello, Anxiety with Dr. Jodi Richardson
• Feeding the Family with Dr. Kristin

Other Relevant Professional Experience

• Member of the PDA Society Research Group (2024-present)
• Founding member of research group on Pathological Demand Avoidance at University of Michigan-School of Medicine (2023-present)
• Dissertation committee member: Nothing About us Without Us: Toward Creating a Guide with Autistic Students by Brad Starkey-Owens. California State University – East Bay (2025-present)
• Certificate in Polyvagal Theory from the Polyvagal Theory Institute (2024-2025)

Prior Life

• Oversaw the integrity of public health, environmental, and governance research at the Pew Charitable Trusts
• Ph.D. - Social scientist specializing in social science methodology. (University of Wisconsin- Madison, Political Science)
• Original academic work focused on the impact of violence, trauma, and social trust in families and communities in rural Colombia 
• Fellowships and Awards:
  • United States Institute of Peace
  • National Science Foundation
  • Fulbright Scholarship
  • Social Science Research Council
  • Guggenheim Peace Fellow