ADHD in Canadian School Systems

Inequitable Access to Education for Canadian Students with ADHD – Although Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one the most common neurodevelopmental (psychiatric) disorders causing learning impairment in Canadian students, ADHD has not been officially recognized as such by Ministries of Education and the Canadian government. This has resulted in inconsistency across provinces and within school boards and caused inequity for students with ADHD, even though ADHD is recognized as a disability by many Human Rights Commissions. English  French

Lack of Recognition of a Common Childhood Disorder in Canadian Schools Results in Inequity for some Students   Media Release

Facts on ADHD in Education Facts

Inequitable Access to Education for Canadian Students with ADHD Key Messages

ADHD and the Justice System

The Benefits of Recognizing and Treating ADHD in Canadian Justice and Correction Systems – Incident rates of ADHD seen in the correctional population are 5 times that of adults, and ten times that of youth in the general population. Screening, early detection and appropriate treatment would reduce recidivism rates and costs to the justice and correction systems.  ENGLISH  FRENCH

The Impact of ADHD on Canadian Justice and Correction Systems  Media Release

Les répercussions du TDAH sur les systèmes judiciaire et correctionnel canadiens Media Release French

ADHD in the Criminal Justice System PowerPoint of key messages Key Messages

Understanding ADHD as a Disability in the Post-Secondary Environment – This paper outlines the lack of national or provincial standards backed by medical research defining what medical documentation should be required of students with ADHD by post-secondary schools to qualify  them for academic accommodations. Some post-secondary institutions are demanding that expensive and unnecessary psychoeducational testing be done before students are eligible for the necessary accommodations. This is resulting in discriminatory practices potentially leaving colleges and universities open to legal challenge. READ MORE

MEDIA RELEASE – “Lack of Standards in Accessing Accommodations Results in Discrimination

(The Plight of Some Post-Secondary Students with a Common Mental Health Disorder) READ MORE

Key Messages ­ – “Understanding ADHD as a Disability in the Post-Secondary Environment” View PowerPoint

Guidelines on Writing Appropriate Medical Reports to Access Post-Secondary Accommodations ­– “Instructions for Chart of ADHD Symptoms, Impairments and Accommodations in the,
Post-Secondary Environment”  FRENCH ENGLISH

Adult ADHD ­­– Often thought of as a childhood disorder, in reality for most, ADHD is a chronic life-long disorder READ MORE

ADHD Real People Real Lives ­– 12 minute video on Adult ADHD with interviews with adults VIEW

Media releases –“NOT JUST FOR KIDS! ADHD AFFECTS FOUR PER CENT OF ALL ADULTS” READ MORE

VIDEOS – Access Rick Green’s Public Service Announcements and adult interviews under ADHD Awareness Resources

Paying Attention to the Cost of ADHD… The Price Paid by Canadian Families, Governments and Society – This paper examines some of the known costs of ADHD and indicates what the Canadian and provincial governments might do to reduce these significant long-term costs.   Left untreated, ADHD impedes an individual’s ability to attain human and social capital and thereby impacts the Canadian economy.  READ MORE

Media Release – “NEW PAPER HIGHLIGHTS IMPACT OF ADHD ON CANADIAN ECONOMY” READ MORE

Audio News Release – More than one million Canadians are impacted by ADHD

Equitable Access to Education for all Canadians –Students with ADHD continue to fall through the cracks in our education systems. Students who are impaired due to their ADHD continue to be denied the official identification and appropriate accommodations that would allow them to reach their academic potential. READ MORE

ADHD in the Ontario School System –Key messages to the Ontario Ministry of Education READ MORE

ADHD Students’ Rights to Education – All students as well as students with ADHD have inalienable rights in education systems READ MORE

Equality of Access for Canadians to New Medication – Medication should never be the only treatment for ADHD, however for many it can be an important part of a multimodal treatment approach. Despite this, long-acting or extended release (XR) medications, the clinically-recommended. First-line treatment for ADHD, are not covered by all Canadian public and some private medical insurance plans. READ MORE