News & Events
ADHD Conference 10th October 09
Click here to download the conference presentations:
- ADHD Across the Lifespan
by Dr David J Carey
- Adolescents ADHD and Addiction
by Wendy Richardson, MA, MFT, CAS
- AD/HD and Co-Existing Conditions – An Overview
by Dr G D Kewley
Consultant Paediatrician, The Learning Assessment & Neurocare Centre
Conference in Limerick October ’09
“ADHD Over a Lifetime”
Saturday 10th October 2009. Contact ADD Mid West Support Group Tel: 061 312621
Minister visits INCADDS
Mary Harney, Minister for Health and Children, visited the head office of INCADDS ( The Irish National Council of ADHD Support Groups) now open at Unit 17a at the Ballybane Enterprise Centre, Galway. Ms Harney is pictured at the centre with, from left: Bridget Kelly, Secretary (Limerick), Ray Kavanagh, Chairman, Rose Kavanagh, Galway, Noel Grealish TD, and Miriam Donnellan, Clare.
Saturday 16th May 2009
ADHD Europe Website
European Mental Health Services Fail the AD/HD Test
Press Release ADHD-Europe – 21/05/2009
Mental health care professionals, including psychologists and psychiatrists, frequently have little or no specialized training in treating Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), the most common lifelong mental health problem.
In a newly published survey, Diagnosis&Treatment of AD/HD in Europe: Differences, Problems and Progress, ADHD-Europe examines provision for the treatment and diagnosis of AD/HD in 19 European countries.
Despite some improvements, the survey found provision for AD/HD diagnosis and treatment in crisis. As demand for diagnostic assessment increases, European mental health professionals still receive little or no specialized training in the proper diagnosis and treatment of AD/HD, resulting in insufficient diagnostic services, long waiting times (children can wait for years), inadequate and inappropriate treatment availability for children and less for adults.
A spokeswoman for TDA/H Belgique, Wallonia, Belgium said:
Sometimes it is truly an uphill battle. Some health professionals still know very little about this disorder. Doctors, including psychiatrists and neurologists, look for psychological and/or educational causes.
AD/HD is not caused by poor parenting, changes in the pace of modern society or too much television; it is a neurodevelopmental disorder with core symptoms of inattention and impulsivity, with or without hyperactivity. The causes are complex, but around 80 % of the risk factor is genetic, with approximately 5-6 % of children and 3-5 % of adults being thought to meet the DSM-IV TR diagnostic criteria. In addition to impairments resulting from these symptoms, sufferers and their families may also be affected by social stigma. Treatment offers children a release from the misery and isolation brought about by their behavioural symptoms, as well as improvements in family life and educational achievement. Untreated AD/HD can lead to pervasive lifetime impairment, but the outlook can be much improved with proper treatment.
ADHD-Europe aisbl is a European non-profit umbrella organization which received full legal recognition in Belgium in April 2009. At present, ADHD-Europe represents 27 National and Regional organizations concerned with AD/HD from 19 countries who have worked together since 2005 for the improvement of the situation of those affected by AD/HD.
The survey will be available on May 21, 2009 from ADHD-Europe aisbl, Avenskouter 13, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
ADHD-Europe wants to raise public awareness about AD/HD and influence the European decision-makers on behalf of people affected by this disorder. ADHD-Europe will do this through the prevention of stigma and discriminatory practices and through the promotion of inclusive practices in the medical, family, school and labour settings across Europe.
Please visit ADHD Europe website for the following recent guidelines:
Health Care Guideline AD/HD for School-age children/ adolescents (ICSI, 2007)
Guidelines for AD/HD in adolescents in transition and in adults (UK, 2006)
Guidelines ADHD in preschool aged children (Australia, 2000)
Preventing later substance use disorders (EMCDDA, 2009)
Parents view on the mental health of their children (Flash Eurobarometer, 2009)
INCADDS Head Office opens in Galway
INCADDS head office now open at Unit 17a, Ballybane Enterprise Centre, Galway.
Tel. no. (091) 755090. Email: info@incadds.ie
May 2008
ADHD Awareness Week
ADHD ACTION – INCADDS
Press Release September 2008
First National ADHD Awareness Week launched 22nd September 2008.
83% of Irish parents of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) reported that they often or always got stressed about their child’s condition. 79% reported that symptoms impact on family functioning. A further 69% of parents have difficulty getting their child ready in the morning and 58% reported difficulty with their child falling asleep at night. These new findings were revealed today at the launch of Ireland’s first national ADHD Awareness Week, a joint initiative of ADHD ACTION and INCADDS (Irish National Council of ADHD Support Groups).
The Irish National ADHD Awareness Week is part of a larger Europe-wide ADHD Awareness Week aiming to increase knowledge of the signs and symptoms of ADHD, its impact on the ADHD child and their family and the support mechanisms available. The Awareness Week is taking place from the 22-28 September 2008.
ADHD is a neurobiological condition affecting 3-7% of school children, roughly two children in every classroom. The core symptoms of ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness which are not in keeping with those of the same age group and development level. For example, a child with ADHD is easily distracted, finds it difficult to complete tasks and has difficulty returning to the task, if distracted. He or she may also act impulsively, move and speak rapidly and excessively, and may often respond or act inappropriately, without thinking.
“ADHD is highly hereditary”
Commenting at the launch of ADHD Awareness Day, Professor Michael Fitzgerald, Prof of Child Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin and chairman of ADHD ACTION said ‘We are delighted to use today as a platform to increase levels of knowledge and understanding of ADHD amongst the Irish people. It is a common condition, one which can have a huge impact not only on the person living with it but also on the entire family unit. Early diagnosis and access to treatment is essential for these children so that the symptoms of this disorder can be treated as quickly as possible. Knowing how to manage symptoms is imperative as this may allow children and their families the opportunity to live a more normal life with respite from the disruption of ADHD.’
The nationwide survey of 150 Irish parents of ADHD diagnosed children was part of Ireland’s first ever nationwide survey of this kind. Entitled ‘A survey of ADHD in Irish children’, the results together with information on the condition and local support groups operating in Ireland are available in book format. The research was conducted by ADHD ACTION, a multi-disciplinary group whose aim is to educate the general public, patients and health professionals on ADHD with the ultimate aim of improving quality of life for people with ADHD. ADHD ACTION is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Eli Lilly & Co.
‘Bringing up a child with ADHD is not just a case of having to cope with them being fidgety or not being able to concentrate for half an hour or so. ADHD is a condition that affects all aspects the whole family’s life of the time. Education and life milestones are the most common cause for concern amongst parents. Lack of friends, aggressiveness and if they will ever lead a normal happy life are all issues parents are worried about,’ commented Ray Kavanagh, Chairman, INCADDS.
The ADHD ACTION survey further revealed:
• 87% of parents said that their child’s behavior brought ADHD to their attention with 60% mentioning schools.
• 54% of parents were able to achieve a diagnosis for their child locally, the remainder had to seek diagnosis outside of their area or they were referred to a central hospital.
• 75% of parents whose children had been diagnosed with ADHD stated that their child had been diagnosed with another condition.
• 85% of children have problems with tasks late afternoon! early evening
• 47% of parents agree that teachers really help their child out.
• Parent and advocacy groups were cited as the best source of information and the greatest help with 75% in agreement, the internet was next at 48%.
Click here to download: A survey of ADHD in Irish Children
For further information contact adhdaction@fleishmaneurope.com or Tel 01 6188479.