May We Introduce You To: CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

by Lee Gehrls R&D Coordinator (Volunteer)

This month I would like to introduce you to a second popular and highly used national ADHD resource for parents, adults with ADHD, families, educators, and professionals – CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) – https://chadd.org/. This organization was founded in 1987 by Dr. Harvey Parker who is a clinical psychologist and two parents in Plantation, Florida so that families could have a sense of community, support, and sound information. At that time there were very few resources available on ADHD. As a matter of fact the disorder was called ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder. It didn’t take long for the word to spread across the United States about this newly formed support group and they started receiving calls from other parents who wanted to start their own chapters. The organization continued to grow providing science based information in their education programs, publications, resources, trainings, and other CHADD Chapters. According to CHADD they receive one million contacts per year.

On their website you will find information specifically for adults, parents, educators, and professionals. Their information is available in concise Fact Sheets that can be downloaded and work well in helping to educate your child’s teacher or other members of your family about ADHD and the many complex co-occuring conditions. CHADD is also recognized for its advocacy work on a national level to secure rights for children with ADHD and they were instrumental in starting an annual international conference on ADHD. This year will be the 32nd Annual International Conference – Strong Minds, Healthy Lives, November 5-7, 2020 and it will be virtual. For more information check out this link https://chadd.org/conference/.

Additional Resources From CHADD’s Website

There are many resources available on their website and I encourage you to spend some time reviewing all the information they have to offer. Here is a brief list of a few of the resources you will find.

Memberships

Available here.

Publications

There are a number of publications including Attention which is a bimonthly magazine that is available online and there is also an archive of past issues. They also have ADHD Newsstand, The ADHD Blog, ADHD in the News, ADHD Weekly, Podcasts, and Digital Box. You can access these publications under the Education & Advocacy heading on their Homepage.

National Resource Center (NRC) on ADHD

This is a resource that all families and professionals should have in their ADHD tool box. The NRC serves as a clearinghouse of information on ADHD and is a program of CHADD. They provide a number of valuable services: science-based web information on ADHD and the many related conditions that can accompany the disorder, an ADHD Helpline, a variety of digital media, weekly newsletters, support for expansion of ADHD research, maintains a health sciences library resource service, professional training, and offers community outreach. https://chadd.org/about/about-nrc/

Training & Events

Training & Events provides you with an archive of Webinars and Ask the Expert, both upcoming and past events https://chadd.org/ask-the-expert/. In this section you can also find information on ADHD training and support for adults, parent to parent, and teacher to teacher.

Directories

CHADD maintains several directories: 

A new school year is fast approaching and it will be challenging in many different ways. For adults with ADHD many may be going back to work or starting a new job. When you live with ADHD you never have too many resources to draw upon when you need information. I encourage you to spend a few minutes each day becoming familiar with CHADD and all that it has to offer. Add it to your ADHD tool box or ADHD library.

Disclaimer:  A-D-A-M℠ provides information about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in the form of resources, including articles, books, videos, and websites, as well as links to directories to help you find health professionals, services and facilities that provide services for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.  This information and these directories are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by A-D-A-M℠; and to the best of A-D-A-M’s knowledge are true and accurate at the time of publication.  A-D-A-M℠ makes no claim, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the contents found in this information and in these directories, and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions.  Although great care is given to the composition and contents provided, A-D-A-M℠ cannot guarantee the correctness of the nature and contents of the information.  Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained through these resources does so at his or her own risk.