The Centre for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Awareness Canada (CADDAC) is a national, not-for-profit organization providing awareness, education, and advocacy for families and individuals with ADHD. Every October, CADDAC organizes national ADHD Awareness Month, which includes a two-day conference, educational events, and many other supports for ADHD.

CADDAC’s website offers up to date, scientifically-based information for parents, children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD as well as for educators and health care providers. Educational webinars and workshops, videos of past conference presentations by world-renowned experts, and information on resources and supports for ADHD are all accessible on the site. The website also offers information on how to advocate for your child in the school system and how to advocate for yourself in the workplace.

In addition to education and awareness, CADDAC members assist families with individual advocacy needs, inform governments about ADHD, advocate for better resources and supports for families and individuals, and discuss the costs to individuals and society when ADHD is not diagnosed and treated.

ADHD in education

A recent national survey on ADHD in education has confirmed what CADDAC has long observed through our correspondence with parents from across the country. Many parents are concerned about the education children with ADHD are receiving in Canadian schools. In several provinces, including Ontario, ministries of education and school boards are not recognizing ADHD as a learning risk and therefore, not providing support for these students.

Ontario election campaign

With the Ontario provincial election in sight, CADDAC is letting parents and others interested in ADHD know that this is the perfect time to reach out to your MPP (Member of Provincial Parliament) and those running in your riding to let them know that ADHD is of interest to you. For years, CADDAC has met with government and elected officials to advocate for more recognition and resources for ADHD. MPPs report that they never hear from their constituents about ADHD, but they do hear from parents of children with other disorders — they, therefore, assume that their constituents have no interest in ADHD. However, the number of calls and e-mails that we receive from concerned and distressed parents and adults with ADHD would indicate otherwise.

If you have an interest in ADHD, visit caddac.ca to access information on the Ontario campaign. You will find template letters on various issues to assist you in writing your own letter, questions to ask your MPP and others running in your riding, and an overview of the current issues in Ontario.  Be sure to access our Getting Started information package, geared to a variety of audiences new to ADHD.

For further support, you can visit our Facebook page, read our blog for current news on ADHD, listen to our Adult podcast, peruse our YouTube account, and stay updated via our Twitter feed.

Heidi Bernhardt is the founder, President, and Executive Director of the Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada (CADDAC), a national non-profit organization. Ms. Bernhardt has not received any personal, direct financial payment for her participation in the production and publication of this article. She has disclosed that CADDAC has received or receives grant(s) or funding, including in-kind compensation, for patient education and advocacy initiatives from pharmaceutical organizations and/or medical device companies.