caddac 2015 accomplishments 2015 accomplishments.pdf · 2016. 3. 18. · mark bertin author of the...
TRANSCRIPT
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
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