May We Introduce You To: A Review of Two More Must-Use ADHD Websites
by Lee Gehrls R&D Coordinator (Volunteer)
In the August issue of our newsletter, I updated you on ADDitude, along with CHADD – Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
This month I will cover the other two websites we recommend to everyone – families and professionals. There are millions of other websites you can go to for information and education on ADHD and related issues. The overwhelming number of internet resources includes all types of information and you need to keep that in mind as you search so you get information that is accurate, current, evidence-based, and safe. This month I will give you updated information on ADDA & Understood.
ADDA – Attention Deficit Disorder Association
ADDA provides information on adult ADHD which can include parenting issues for adults with ADHD. Their website offers a mix of free and members-only information. There are different membership levels and the homepage describes their most popular membership which is $7.60 a month.
Here is a brief overview of their educational and special support services:
- An ADHD Starter Kit that you can request
- Connect with different Virtual Peer Support Groups (support groups are open only to ADDA members)
- ADDA Programs – listing of their educational information
- ADDA Resources – gives you complete details on all their programs
- The Library
- A Professional Directory
- ADHD Courses & their archive of past courses
- Webinars are free to members and nonmembers may register for a nominal fee per event. If you are on their mailing list you will receive an email about upcoming webinars.
- They work with CHADD to host the Annual International Conference on ADHD. This year’s conference, “Strength in Connection”, will be held Nov 16-19, 2022 at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas, Texas. It is an in-person & virtual event, and registration is now open. Members do receive a discount.
Understood
Several years ago you would find this website listed as Understood.org. and it was a bit more involved. They have revamped the website so it is easier to use and now go by Understood.
The homepage has this message: “We are the lifelong guide for those who learn and think differently. In the past year, we’ve helped more than 20 million people discover their potential, take control of their lives, and stay on positive paths.” If you click on the ‘Learn More’ link after this message, you can get a complete history of Understood. You can scroll through the homepage to learn more about the website.
The website is packed with helpful information for parents and educators, and it takes some time to cover all your options, but you might refer to it frequently throughout your school year. All the information is prepared by trained educators and often verified by another professional. Sometimes an article will give you a basic explanation of an issue and then offer you the option to do a Deeper Dive to get more information. Information is presented in English and Spanish.
Here are several of their new options:
- Wunder – the first community app for parents and caregivers of kids who have learning challenges where they can connect and get free support from a team of experts.
- Discover your community – there is a scrolling list of group topics, and you can see how many members there are in each group.
- Explore our resources (under their menu)
- Content Library
- How to spot signs in kids
- Podcasts
- Workplace resource
- An archive of blogs on different topics and news about Understood.
I hope you will take some time to explore and become familiar with the different types of information and support on the four websites. Each website will take some time to learn, however, it can be a quick source of information and support when a problem arises and you need ideas and solutions. The information can be helpful for your doctor and counseling appointments and school conferences.
If you are a professional, I hope you too will spend some time becoming familiar with these resources so you can offer them to your clients, patients, and students. These four resources are the most frequently recommended websites cited in articles, resource lists in books, and mentioned by the best-known experts in the field in their workshops and webinars.
I’ve said this many times over the years and it remains true – living with ADHD is a lifelong learning process for those who have it and for the entire family. You never have too much information and you will be surprised how often you share what you have learned with others. All of us in our ADHD community are on this same road of learning so our children and the adults in our lives can learn to successfully manage and thrive and make ADHD just a part of their lives and not have it define their lives. Happy reading and learning!
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.
Mark Bertin, M.D.