CADDAC 2015 Accomplishments

Education

Web site

Continuing up-dates to the web site occur weekly/bi-weekly

Additional education information was added to both web sites

Post-secondary information was added to both web sites

Options for reformatting the web site and options for a new platform were reviewed, with more detailed consultation happening in 2016

Information Brochures

The CADDAC brochure was redesigned into a child and adolescent brochure and an adult brochure. Additional information was added.

Each of these brochures were printed in quantities of 2500

CADDAC shipped an increased number of brochures to doctor’s offices and clinics

Distribution of brochures at patient educational events and community events

Brochures were given out in significant quantities at information booths during the Primary care Conference, the Canadian Paediatric Conference, the CADDRA conference, the Durham Board ADHD Awareness event, and the TDSB Parent Special Education event

Brochures were shipped out after these events for physicians who wished larger quantities

Brochures were distributed at all educational events

ADHD in the Post-Secondary Environment

A package of documents focusing on ADHD in the post-secondary environment was

developed which included:

The policy paper, “Understanding ADHD as a Disability in the Post-Secondary Environment” A chart of ADHD Symptoms, Impairments and Accommodations in the Post-Secondary

Environment (PSE)

Instructions for reporting to PSEs by Physician and other ADHD experts A chart of examples of Canadian PS institution documentation requirements for ADHD as a

disability A Media release Key messages of policy paper A Power point presentation covering key messages

French Resources

The adult Brochure was translated into French and printed

All post-secondary materials and media releases were translated into French and loaded

onto web sites

USBs

Continued distribution of child and adolescent ADHD USBs occurred

Continued distribution of adult ADHD USBs occurred

Online Presentations

2014 Conference presentation recordings were made available to stakeholders

Past presentation videos were loaded onto You Tube for increased accessibility

CADDAC Workshops

Two Day Parent PREP Program

Developed and then launched on April the 25th and 26th

Outline Day One

Topics to be covered:

ADHD Overview

What ADHD is and is not Symptoms of ADHD as defined in DSM 5, how these present and can be misinterpreted Primarily inattentive ADHD (ADD) and how it presents differently Why ADHD in girls is often underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed Commonly occurring coexisting disorders What is involved in a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of ADHD

ADHD and Learning

Past studies and what they tell us about academic outcomes Executive Functioning (EF)impairments and ADHD How EF impairments impact children with ADHD

Other common cognitive impairments in children with ADHD Common classroom presentations of EF impairments

ADHD and Self- Regulation

Common social and emotional impairments in children with ADHD How these impairments present Research on social skills training Parent Friendship Coaching Self-regulation and why it is impaired in children with ADHD How these impairments present

ADHD and Emotional Dysregulation

Symptoms of emotional regulation impairment How this differs some mood disorders Why this is so common in children with ADHD How we regulate emotions The emotional regulation fuel tank

The Treatment of ADHD

The multimodal treatment of ADHD Medication Psychosocial Alternate treatments

Outline Day Two

Topics to be covered:

ADHD and the family

Parental impact and stages of acceptance Impact on siblings Impact on the child with ADHD Impact on the family as a whole

ADHD Parenting and Behavior Intervention

Parents with ADHD Parenting Tips External reminders Organizational strategies How to correctly use consequences External rewards Token reward systems Behavioural Contracts

ODD and CPS

What is ODD Collaborative Problem Solving Approach

School Observations, Classroom Strategies and Accommodations

Questions to ask about your child’s functioning at school Classroom accommodations and strategies Communication between home and school Daily report cards Self-monitoring systems Homework issues

School Advocacy

Understanding your province’s Special Education System What is an IPRC? What is an IEP? Required documentation The students’ rights Roadblocks

Understanding Your Adult ADHD

This informative and interactive workshop was a mix of presentations, discussion and sharing sessions. The focus was on understanding ones individual ADHD and discovering how symptoms may lead to impairments in the home, workplace and in relationships. A good portion of the day was spent looking at useful strategies, tools and accommodations that may be helpful. The day will end with an open discussion on common roadblocks, frustrations, as well as successes and a break-out sessions for parents and significant others.

Featured Presenters and Facilitators were:

Dr. David Teplin, Adult Clinical Psychologist John Tucker PhD ACG, ADHD Coach Heidi Bernhardt, RN, President and ED CADDAC Russ LeBlanc, Radio Personality, Entrepreneur and Adult with ADHD

Topics Covered were:

Overview of Typical ADHD Impairments at home and in relationships Strategies – organization, prioritizing time management Overview of Typical ADHD Impairments in the Workplace Possible Strategies and Accommodations in the Workplace Common Roadblocks, Frustrations and Successes Alternate discussion for significant others and parents

Give Your Child the Wings to Live a Successful Life with ADHD (Kingston Ontario)

On October the 24th Heidi Bernhardt presented a full day workshop covering:

ADHD and Learning

Have you wondered why your child struggles in the school environment? While ADHD is not a learning

disability ADHD can significantly impact a student’s ability to learn and impair their academic

achievement. Research on general academic outcomes will be reviewed during this presentation as well

as the impact of ADHD symptoms on classroom functioning. Typical executive functioning impairments

and other cognitive deficits will be discussed in detail.

Social and Emotion Difficulties Seen in ADHD

Although we tend to focus on attention difficulties when addressing ADHD it is often a larger

impairment in self-regulation that causes difficulty for children and adults with ADHD. Social and

emotional impairments typically seen in children with ADHD will be reviewed while delving into the

underlying impairments in self-regulation that are present. The presentation will look at the

consequences of emotional regulation impairment and why it is so common in those with ADHD. Ways

to assist children with self and emotional regulation will also be discussed.

What You Need to Know When Advocating for Your Child in the Ontario School System

Understanding your Province’s Special Education system and how ADHD is recognized within this system

is paramount when advocating for your child. This in-depth presentation will cover the Ontario Special

Education system, exceptionality categories and the recent Ministry of Education Memorandum. Fear of

labelling, the psychoeducational testing process and third party reports, navigating the IPRC process,

and understanding and contributing to an IEP will all be covered. The presentation will close with a look

at your child’s rights and a discussion on how you can be a more effective advocate for your child.

Additional Presentations

On May 21st Heidi Bernhardt presented at Diversity Day Parkview Elementary School Markham

CADDAC 7th Annual Two Day Conference

This year the conference occurred over two days, Saturday September the 25th which was geared to

educators and parents and Sunday the 26th which was geared to parents and adults with ADHD.

Our featured presenter for Saturday was Margaret Foster, a learning specialist and co-author, along with

Joyce Cooper-Kahn, of Boosting Executive Skills in the Classroom. She presented a plenary session on

teaching Executive Functioning skills to children with ADHD in the classroom and home setting as well as

breakout sessions specifically geared to educators or parents. Day two of our conference featured Dr.

Mark Bertin author of The family ADHD Solution and Mindful Parenting for ADHD: A Guide to Cultivating

Calm, Reducing Stress, and Helping Children Thrive. Dr. Bertin presented on the science behind ADHD,

parenting and family solutions as well as mindfulness. Additional presenters over the two days were

Susan Pinsky author of Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD and The Fast and Furious Five Step

Organizing Solution, Rhona Martinussen a researcher promoting listening and reading comprehension in

students ADHD, and David Giwerc, Founder and President, ADD Coach Academy. Some of the sessions

were audio recorded, with permission of the presenter, for future access.

Content:

Saturday September the 25th Sunday September the 26th Geared to Parents, Educators and Professionals Geared to Parents, Adults and Professionals Featured Presentation Featured Presentations Executive Functioning Skills Throughout

the Lifespan Workshops Organizational Tools for ADHD Teaching EF Skills at Home Teaching EF Skills in the Classroom ADHD and Reading

Making the Science behind ADHD Practical Mindfulness and ADHD Workshops ADHD Family Strategies ADHD and Educational Planning Roadmap to Adult ADHD Success The ADHD Coach Approach

Awareness

ADHD Awareness Month

CADDAC’s ADHD Awareness initiative continued as an entire month this year. The focus of this

year’s effort was ADHD in the post-secondary environment. A policy paper on the topic was

published along with documents to support the writing of accommodation requests for

students with ADHD by ADHD experts. Please access the summary below for further details and

to access the media release and accompanying documents. The policy paper and accompanying

documents were sent to provincial ministries overseeing post-secondary education, contacts

made in these ministries during our meetings in the past two years, and post-secondary

disability centers across Canada. Additional calls were made to specific schools when

stakeholders expressed continued issues with document requests.

This year the BC government again officially proclaimed October ADHD Awareness Month. The

province of Nova Scotia also proclaimed ADHD Awareness Month this year. On October the 1st

MPP Soo Wong read a member's statement in the Ontario legislature launching ADHD

Awareness Month. Several CADDAC members were on hand to witness the reading. Please

access information below highlighting Awareness Month events and media interviews.

2015 ADHD Awareness Campaign

Understanding ADHD as a Disability in the Post-Secondary Environment

News Release

All documents can be accessed here or through individual links below

This year our ADHD Awareness Campaign is focusing on the issue of students with ADHD receiving

appropriate academic accommodations while accessing post-secondary education. This is the topic

addressed in a paper authored and recently published by the “Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada

(CADDAC)”. The paper, titled: “Understanding ADHD as a Disability in the Post-Secondary Environment”

and the media release, highlights the inequity in access to post-secondary education accommodations

due to a lack of national or provincial standards backed by medical research.

This is causing significant inconsistencies in the medical documentation required of students with ADHD

by post-secondary schools resulting in discriminatory practices potentially leaving colleges and

universities open to legal challenge.

CADDAC does agree that detailed medical reporting, by an ADHD medical expert, should be required to

meet Canadian government requirements. Reports should provide post-secondary institutions with the

necessary information required to understand the student’s unique impairments and needs for specific

accommodations. To assist with this CADDAC has also produced a resource for physicians and

psychologists to assist them in developing a detailed report that would meet government requirements

and provide the necessary information for post-secondary institutions.

Highlights

National Media

CADDAC on CBC's The Current

In a fitting launch to awareness month, The Current sat down with CADDAC to discuss the barriers

experienced by postsecondary students with ADHD. Check out the episode Here!

ADHD in the Huffington Post - ADHD Stigma is so Prevalent Parents are Delaying Diagnosis

Check out this article by Patricia Tomasi published in the Huffington Post October 27th.

ADHD Awareness Month in 1 Minute by Rick Green of TotallyADD

View this quick, humourous but very informative overview of ADHD Here

Provincial Events/Media

Ontario Launch of ADHD Awareness Month at Queen's Park

View MPP Soo Wong reading a member's statement launching ADHD Awareness Month in Ontario. See

it on (first few minutes of this video)

British Columbia Proclaims October ADHD Awareness Month

For the second year in a row British Columbia has officially declared October ADHD Awareness Month.

View the official proclamation Here

Nova Scotia Proclaims October ADHD Awareness Month

The ADHD Nova Scotia Action Group succeeds in having ADHD Awareness Month declared. View Here

CHED Edmonton Interview

October 5th

Northumberland Radio

October 7th

CHCH TV, The Square

October 8th

Peterborough CHEX TV

October 13th

Calgary QR77 Radio Interview with Danielle Smith

October 15th

Heidi Bernhardt was interviewed by Daniele Smith on October the 15th at appoximately 1:45. Listen to

the interview Here.

CJOB Winnipeg

On October the 22nd at 11:30 am Winnipeg time Heidi Bernhardt spoke with Geoff Currier of CJOB about

ADHD myths and truths. To listen access On Demand The audio date is October the 22nd and the time

is 11am. You will need to listen to the first half hour before the interview comes up.

Community

Kingston's ADHD Parent Support Group Hosts

"Give Your Children The Wings To Live A Successful Life With ADHD"

The featured presenter Heidi Bernhardt will be presenting on ADHD and Learning, ADHD and Emotional

Regulation and ADHD and School Advocacy.

Access details Here

Dispelling the Myths and Misinformation About ADHD at the Shoniker Clinic

On October the 28th Dr. Shirish Patel and Dr. Rubin Gararin will be presenting a session on ADHD in the

Dr. Bruce Johnson Conference room for the general public and medical professionals. There will be two

sessions, 10 to 10:30 and 1 to 1:30. Refreshments will be served. No registration required.

ADHD Awareness: Be Aware. Be an Ally! Community Information Expo

On November the 4th at 6pm at Sir John A Macdonald Public School, 777 Balaton Avenue, Pickering

Ontario, a Community ADHD Expo will be taking place. The guest presenter will be Dr. Larry Danilewitz a

Durham District School Board psychologist. Community resource booths and a parent panel will also

take place.

Coalition Members

Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada

CHADD Canada

PANDA

TDA/H Mauricie Centre du Québec

Vancouver Adult Add Support Group

Excalibur ADHD Association

PANDA Lanaudière nord

TDAH Estrie

K-W Region Parent Support Group

Nova Scotia ADHD Action Group

Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/ADHDWeek

Twitter

https://twitter.com/centreforadhd

Events

For a detailed list of events access http://adhdawarenessweek.ca/en/?page_id=301

Advocacy

National Advocacy

Over the past few years CADDAC has been receiving anecdotal evidence from caregivers,

patients and treating physicians, indicating a decrease in the degree and length of symptom

control and an increase in side effects when patients were switched from particular brand-

name to generic medications. CADDAC joined in discussion with other organizations supporting

those with mental health conditions to find a way to gain more insight into this potential issue.

You can access the full statement outlining the organizations' understanding, agreement and

goals for the survey Here

As a result a nation-wide survey was launched requesting feedback from individuals, caregivers

and healthcare providers on existing knowledge and experience with brand name and generic

medications.

The survey findings have been analyzed and summarized. Here are the findings pertinent to

ADHD medications and two additional medications that might be used by some of you for co-

occurring conditions.

On December the 14th CADDAC sent a letter to Barbara Sabourin, the Director General of the

Therapeutics Product Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch of Health Canada

summarizing the findings of a recent joint survey on mental health medications, and in

particular issues that have been reported with generic medications. You can access the

complete letter Here

Provincial Advocacy

Advocacy with the British Columbia Government Ministries Continues

During the year of 2015 CADDAC continued communicating with several ministries it met with

on November the 3rd and 4th 2014,

December the 2nd 2014 Dr. Don Duncan and Heidi Bernhardt met with Kyle Marsh, Ministerial

Assistant to the Hon. Terry Lake Minister of Health, additional information was sent as a follow-

up and subsequently Gerrit van der Leer Director Mental Health and Substance Use Integrated

Primary and Community Care, Ministry of Health was assigned as our liaison and a meeting was

held on April the 7th. Gerrit van der Leer requested a document outlining our questions and

associated recommendations concerning services and pharmacological treatment for people

with ADHD in BC. This was sent and we were informed that an internal review process was

started and he was working closely with other branches within the Ministry to provide a

coordinated policy response to the issues we raised. Since this last e-mail no other

correspondence was received from Mr. Van der Leer although we reached out more than once.

Heidi Bernhardt met with a group of BC physicians on October the 16th during the CADDRA

conference in Vancouver where she and Dr. Duncan lead a feedback session to obtain

information on BC physician concerns around ADHD in BC. The two areas of greatest concern

were BC Pharmacare and its resistance to fund long acting ADHD medications and the lack of

recognition by the BC Ministry of Education and school boards that ADHD caused significant risk

to successful learning. Due to this the first step in the BC advocacy campaign was launched. See

below. Next steps of this initiative are continuing into 2016 with the expected launch of an

initiative around education slated for the fall.

Doctors Challenge BC Government to take Action on ADHD

December 08 2015 Media Release

BC Physician Advocacy Campaign

Since British Columbia is behind other provinces in providing a full range of medication

treatment options for ADHD CADDAC, CADDRA and BC physicians have begun an advocacy

campaign to let the BC government know that the current situation is seriously limiting

treatment options for those accessing BC Pharmacare. Currently Ritalin and Dexadrine are the

only medications for the treatment of individuals with ADHD fully covered by BC Pharmacare.

Concerta is the only long-acting medication and it is restricted to Special Authority Request

(only for the paediatric population after failing on Ritalin and Dexedrine).

Physicians with an interest in the treatment of ADHD are being asked to write letters

expressing their concern. Please access BC Pharmacare Medication Coverage for more detailed

information on the current situation, a copy of the latest letter sent to Minister Lake, and the

BC Letter Writing Guide to assist physicians in writing and sending a letter to the BC

government.

Manitoba Advocacy

On July 7th Heidi Bernhardt along with a patient representative and a local Manitoba ADHD

physician met with:

Greg Scully, Executive Director, Adult Custody Community and Youth Corrections Manitoba

Justice

Hon. Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Family Services

Representative of Ministry of education and Advances Learning

Fran Schellenberg Executive Director Mental Health and Spiritual Health Manitoba

At these meeting information and key messages found in last year’s socioeconomic paper were presented. Additional research material and ADHD information was sent following up the meeting and on-going communication has continued with some Ministries throughout the year.

Ontario Advocacy

On May the 12th Heidi Bernhardt along with Dr. Rosemary Tannock, Dr. Doron Almagor and John Tucker met with:

Robin Edger Senior Policy Advisor to the Attorney-General

Kerry Smuk, Senior Policy Advisor to Minister Sandals Minister of Education

Alyson Rowe, Policy Advisor Ministry of Health

Jessica Hayden, Policy Advisor Ministry of Child and Youth Services

Jonathan Bradshaw, Senior Policy Advisor Ministry of Community and Social Services

At these meeting information and key messages found in last year’s socioeconomic paper were

presented.

On June the 9th Heidi Bernhardt, Rosemary Tannock and John Tucker met with:

Brian Kuchar, Senior Policy Advisor, Ministry of Community Safety and Corrections

Guy Bethell, Director, Stakeholder Relations Ministry of Economic Development, Employment

and Infrastructure

Jean-Guy Frechette, Senior Policy Advisor Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities

At these meeting information and key messages found in last year’s socioeconomic paper were

presented as well as information that would be covered in the up-coming policy paper on ADHD

in the post-secondary environment.

On June 17th Heidi Bernhardt met with:

Alfred Spencer, Director, Outreach and Strategic Initiatives Branch, Accessibility Directorate of Ontario

On July 9th Heidi Bernhardt had a follow-up meeting with:

Kerry Smutt, Senior Policy Advisor to Minister Sandals Minister of Education, after which a meeting with the new incoming Director of Special Education Policy and Programs Branch was to be arranged and ultimately took place in January 2016

On July 15 Heidi Bernhardt met with:

Curt Arthur, Assistant Deputy Minister, Operational Support Division MCSCS

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network (ODPRN)

Throughout the year of 2015 CADDAC assisted the ODPRN with patient recruitment and the contacting

of ADHD medical experts, joined information and feedback sessions, reviewed report drafts, sent

written feedback, and gave individual verbal feedback .

Outreach

Social Media

Past presentation videos were loaded onto You Tube for increased accessibility

Continued consultation with a social media professional

Increased number of blogs posted and inclusion of guest bloggers

Blog linked to Facebook page

Increased twitter over Awareness Month

Addition of Quebec medical expert and mother of child with ADHD to monitor and

comment of French Facebook page

CADDAC Facebook and Awareness Week pages edited for Awareness Month and

revitalized

All mediums used to especially promote Awareness Month, but also the conference, our

surveys and advocacy initiatives

The blog was frequently linked to documents and campaigns featured on the websites

increasing web site traffic

Increased Networking among Canadian ADHD Organizations/ Support Groups and Increased

National Presence

CADDAC researched and contacted over 20 Canadian ADHD groups across Canada

A list of current functioning ADHD groups was developed

Any additional groups were added to the web site resource list

A questionnaire/feedback form was developed and sent to groups

Feedback on their understanding of CADDAC, how we can assist them, views on

systemic advocacy and increasing their roles in advocacy was reviews, collated and

developed into a presentation

A doodle poll was sent to decide on the best time for a collective meeting

During Awareness Month, on October the 8th at 8pm, a virtual meeting was held with

the majority of groups

The session was recorded with a link sent to any groups unable to attend the meeting

The collation of their feedback was presented

A discussion about ways CADDAC could assist them with their efforts, build increased

networking, and encourage them to become involved in systemic advocacy occurred

As an outcome of this meeting:

Our affiliate group agreement was modified It was decided that CADDAC would arrange a support group leadership training session Additional groups became CADDAC members Many groups expressed an interest to organizing educational sessions in their area with

CADDAC It was agreed that advocacy efforts should continue to be led by CADDAC however

many local support groups expressed an interest in working with CADDAC on local and provincial issues

It was agreed that ongoing meetings like this one would be hosted by CADDAC at least once a year, but hopefully more often

Due to ethical conflicts that came to light during the meeting a groups in Nova Scotia was asked to dissolve ties to CADDAC

Booths CADDAC ran booths throughout the year at the:

TSDB Special Education Parent Day, March 28th

Primary care Conference, May 7 th-9th

CPS conference, June 24th and 25th

CADDRA conference in Vancouver, October 16th - 18th

Durham School Board ADHD Awareness Expo, Nov 4th

Dorothy Hill Ontario School Psychologist Symposium, November 24th

Collaboration

Working Groups and Coalitions

CADDAC:

Continued working with Awareness Month coalition members – Work with Nova Scotia support group resulted in the legislature’s proclamation of ADHD Awareness Month

Continued communication with LDAO, Tourette Syndrome Foundation, Ontario Brain Trauma

Continued interaction and postings of Clinics, support groups, research studies, coaches and other resources

Continued to assist ADHD researchers with study recruitment through our web site, blog and newsletter

Assisted in the “Canadian Guidelines on Pharmacotherapy for Oppositional Behaviour, Conduct and Aggression in Children and Adolescents with Disruptive Behaviour Disorders” parent study recruitment and running the study day on September the 23rd

Met with ADHD medical expert group