Getting a diagnosis and finding an appropriate treatment plan are both extremely important and can have positive lifelong effects. Having accurate, science-based information is vital for making the decisions needed to create a good treatment plan and put in place the strategies and lifestyle accommodations that can help lead to success for yourself or your child.
Reliable Information
Researching ADHD can be like drinking out of a fire hose. There’s a great deal of information about ADHD but, unfortunately, a lot of it is misleading, incomplete or incorrect.
Where can you go and who can you trust? Both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) have information that is current and based on scientific research.
Look to CHADD’s National Resource Center, which is a joint program between the CDC and CHADD. You can trust the professionals and information from ADHD treatment centers that are connected with universities and research hospitals. And, of course, you can turn to health care providers and other professionals who have expertise in, and experience with, ADHD.
Reliable Resources
The ADHD Awareness Month Coalition is comprised of members from Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD), the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), and ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO).
These three non-profit organizations sponsor the International Conference on ADHD held in November each year. This conference is a great opportunity learn about current science-based information about ADHD and its treatment as well as connect with conference speakers and other participants. In addition, the ADHD Awareness Month website has collected a lot of great information about ADHD, answering common questions, busting myths, and talking about different aspects of ADHD life.
CHADD has more than 100 support groups around the country, as well as the latest evidence-based information shared via fact sheets, separate training programs for adults, parents and teachers, as well as podcasts.
ADDA, a non-profit for adults with ADHD, provides reliable information, webinars, workshops, and virtual support groups.
ACO is also a good resource with the largest directory of ADHD coaches anywhere.
About the Author
The ADHD Awareness Month Coalition is comprised of members from the non-profit organizations Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD), Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) and ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO). The mission of ADHD Awareness Month is to educate the public about ADHD by disseminating reliable information based on the evidence of science and peer-reviewed research. Read more here
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/index.html
- National Institute of Mental Health – https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml
- Nov. 5-7, 2020 Virtual International Conference on ADHD – https://chadd-2020.pathable.co/
- CHADD’s ADHD Fact Sheets for adults, parents and educators – https://chadd.org/understanding-adhd/adhd-fact-sheets/
- National Resource Center – https://chadd.org/understanding-adhd
- ADDA’s 9-minute TADD Talks with ADHD experts – https://add.org/taddtalks2020/
- Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD) – www.chadd.org
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) – www.adda.org
- ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO) – www.adhdcoaches.org