Ruth Fidler - BA Hons, PGCE

Ruth Fidler is an Education Consultant specialising in complex presentations of autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), and emotional wellbeing. 

She worked at an all age non-maintained special school for autistic pupils for over 20 years until 2014 and has worked independently since then. During her time on the senior leadership team the school sustained Ofsted outstanding status. Ruth worked within the school promoting interactive approaches and emotional wellbeing for pupils. As a member of the leadership team she had a strategic role and contributed to continuing professional development for all staff. She also led an outreach pilot project working with other agencies to meet the needs of children and young people currently unable to attend school. 

As well as providing training, she regularly observes and monitors teaching and learning, supporting staff to embed and refine good autism and SEND practice. She presents at local or national events and conferences for parents and for a range of professionals. She provides training and consultancy for a variety of schools and multi-disciplinary teams across the UK. 

She has contributed to publications in the Good Autism Practice (GAP) journal on the subject of promoting emotional wellbeing and is co-author of the following books; 

‘Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance syndrome in children’ (2012)

‘Can I  Tell You About Pathological Demand Avoidance?’ (2015) 

Collaborative Approaches  to Learning (2019) 

Girls and Autism (2019) 

Being Julia (2021)

Navigating PDA in America (2024)