CADDAC was just notified of the recommendation by the Committee to Evaluate Drugs or CED (part of OPDP) as a follow-up on our advocacy efforts to have Intuniv XR covered under the Ontario Public Drug Plan.
The CED has recommended that Intuniv XR be reimbursed under the Exceptional Access Program (EAP) for children with ADHD who require adjunct (additional medication) to psychostimulants or are intolerant of psychostimulants and cannot be treated with atomoxetine or clonidine. More specific criteria will be developed by OPDP, but information on stimulant medication trials will be required as part of the EAP form to be filled out by physicians.
The CEDs recommendation will be provided to the Executive Officer of the Ontario Public Drug Programs who will make the final decision.
While not perfect, this is good news for those families who qualify for the Ontario Public Drug Program and whose children are being treated with Intuniv XR. If approved, this will allow children who have insufficient or no therapeutic benefit from other ADHD medication, or cannot tolerate stimulants, Strattera or clonidine to access to Intuniv XR.
On June 1st at their AGM, the Ontario Public School Board Association voted on a resolution that was put forward by The Waterloo Region District School Board, through the efforts of Trustee Natalie Waddell.
There were 29 boards present that could vote (by way of a single voting delegate) with a total value of 110 votes. The voting was a weighted vote, based on the full time enrollments at each board. The motion received a total of 97 of the 110 votes in favour. It passed with 88% in favour!
This is the final motion that was approved:
Be it resolved, that OPSBA actively lobby the Ontario Ministry of Education to:
Alter the existing categories of exceptionality to include ADHD within a category, other than behaviour, thereby acknowledging ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder that significantly impairs learning, allowing students with ADHD to be identified as exceptional learners as their peers with Autism and learning disabilities (similar neurodevelopmental disorders) are, thereby securing their legal right to accommodations for their disability, and
Ensure that all Ontario educators are trained in ADHD impairments, as well as in the appropriate classroom accommodations and teaching strategies that can be used to support these students in the classroom and school environment, and
That this motion be referred to the Minister’s Advisory Council on Special Education (MACSE) to evaluate and act on.
This is good news for those concerned about the lack of recognition of students with ADHD under the Ontario Special Education Categories and OPSBA should be congratulated for their willingness to stand up and be counted on this issue.
CADDAC also congratulates and thanks Natalie Waddell for her commitment to ensuring that students with ADHD receive the recognition and resources they deserve.
View the Waterloo news article Here
CADDAC's Executive Director Heidi Bernhardt, Natalie Wadell a Waterloo School Trustee and Dr. Ainslie Gray were featured on TVO's The Agenda discussing the lack of recognition of ADHD in Ontario schools as an Ontario election issue this past week.
Directly after our interview representatives from the four parties discussed special education in Ontario schools. You will need to watch this interview until the very end to understand the significance for students with ADHD.
View the episode on special education in Ontario schools
Reading the title of this article, ADHD can be your super power immediately caused me a great deal of concern and I am sure angered many of the millions of Canadians impaired by ADHD. While this article is attempting to be uplifting, and the message that those with ADHD can find fulfilling careers is a good one, many adults with ADHD will find this article very disheartening and frustrating. It makes it seem that those with ADHD just need a diagnosis, some coaching and a good assistant to handle all the paperwork and they’ll be good to go. ADHD is on a spectrum from mild to severe and most often comes with coexisting mental health disorders. Finding a medical professional who is trained in ADHD and not charging a hefty fee over OHIP to assess for and diagnose ADHD is an extreme challenge. Proven treatments such as CBT therapy and coaching are not covered by provincial health care and are extremely expensive. The good news is that while research substantiates that ADHD can significantly impair learning these children can succeed in school when supported. But, how can we expect adults with ADHD to find fulfilling careers when many of our school boards and the Ontario Ministry of Education do not recognize ADHD as a disability allowing these students to access special education resources. So, let’s please also discuss the many barriers that still exist for those with ADHD.
This comment has also been sent to the Toronto Star.
March 29, 2018
Dear Premier Wynne,
We at CADDAC were very interested when we heard your announcements regarding additional funding for special education and mental health.
Childhood ADHD
While this additional funding is welcome and certainly needed, the Ontario parents of students with ADHD are questioning how this additional funding will benefit their children. The fact is that if students with ADHD continue to be excluded from the categories of exceptionality by the Ontario Ministry of Education, and school boards in Ontario continue to use this fact to bar students with ADHD from officially being recognized as exceptional students this funding will mean next to nothing for them.
We have been promised that ADHD will be included as its own category in the new British Columbia Special Education Guidelines by both the former Liberal and now the new NDP governments. Yet there has been no change in Ontario in the past ten years, while other similar neurodevelopmental disorders, that are less prevalent, and often less impairing are listed.
I am attaching a letter that you sent to me ten years ago, outlining the very same response that we continue to receive from the Ontario Ministry of Education. Yet, despite all of these assurances we continue to hear from frustrated, desperate parents sharing heart breaking stories of children being stigmatized and suspended for their medical disability.
While the matter of including ADHD within a category of exceptionality is made out to be insignificant and a mere technicality, in reality it is causing huge issues for many of our students as a recent survey of parents has demonstrated. While it may not be the Ministry’s intent when excluding ADHD from a category of exceptionality, the message educators are receiving is that ADHD is not a disability and does not impair learning enough (even when abundant research tells us otherwise) for the Ministry and boards and therefore teachers to take it seriously. Teachers have shared this belief with us countless times, and they convey it directly to students by accusing them of not trying hard enough. Parents are told that ADHD does not qualify their child for special education support because it does no impair the child “enough”.
Interesting things happen when disorders are listed in a category, education for educators flows and students with ADHD are better understood and supported and representation occurs on SEAC’s and on MACSE giving a voice to those with ADHD.
Many Ontario parents that we hear from on a daily basis are frustrated beyond belief. They have expressed doubt that change will happen for their children with ADHD n Ontario under your present leadership.
However, I do think that this could change. I believe that they would really like to support your proposed funding initiatives for special education and mental health however it seems that children with ADHD have been left out again. Parents will require an honest guarantee that this funding would indeed benefit their children with an explanation of how this would occur. Unfortunately they have lived with platitudes and rhetoric for far too long.
Adult ADHD
Adults with ADHD also see themselves as excluded. There was no mention of therapy for those with ADHD, only anxiety and depression. Research informs us that untreated ADHD can cause anxiety and depression and that Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is hugely beneficial for those with ADHD. When we treat anxiety and depression without treating the underlying ADHD all treatment is unsuccessful. In addition, adults with ADHD are being charged over OHIP for assessments. Why are some mental health disorders supported in your additional funding and other not?
We are also contacted by adults with ADHD routinely and I just presented to a large group of Ontario adults with ADHD. I believe that this group would also really like to support your plan for additional funding for mental health, but they too find that they have been given no reason to do so.
I would like to meet with you Premier Wynne to discuss how we can assure those with ADHD that your initiates will offer them additional support and services.
Sincerely,
Heidi Bernhardt
President, Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada
With cc to
Hon Indira Naidoo-Harris
inaidoo-harris.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Hon Helena Jaczek
hjaczek.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
The Toronto Star was sent this letter by CADDAC in response to the Liberal party’s promise for increased funding for special education resources.
Additional funding for special education is welcome and needed, but Ontario parents of students with ADHD are questioning how this additional funding will benefit their children. If change does not occur, this new funding will mean next to nothing for these students. The Ontario Ministry of Education and many school boards in Ontario refuse to recognize students with ADHD as students who qualify for special education resources. Despite the fact that an abundance of research exists, demonstrating ADHD’s risk to learning when students are not supported, few educators are receiving training on ADHD and others are barred from offering support. ADHD is the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder seen in schools. The exclusion of ADHD in Ontario special education categories, when other similar disorders are included, smacks of discrimination.
Heidi Bernhardt
President, Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada
Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Toronto Star were sent this letter by CADDAC recently in response to the Liberal party's promise for increased mental health funding, in particular for children and youth.
Hon Kathleen Wynne
Leader, Liberal Party of Canada
Dear Premier Wynne,
Additional funding in Ontario for mental health is certainly needed and very welcome. Resources are few, wait times are long and physicians are charging over OHIP for assessments. However, parents of children and youth with the most prevalent childhood mental health disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and adults with ADHD are wondering if they are going to be left out again. ADHD is never mentioned during metal health awareness campaigns, in press releases by mental health hospitals, or by national and provincial commissions on mental health. ADHD is not being addressed by our government. There are no working committees on ADHD in Ontario although significant socioeconomic costs result when we do not diagnose and treat this disorder. Abundant research has shown less academic achievement and fewer years of education leading to lower paying jobs, more accidents, an increase in additional mental health disorders, more substance use and abuse, less employment and a greater need for social assistance, more involvement in the justice system and a two-fold risk of early death. When we link these costs with the fact that ADHD is one of the most treatable mental health disorders, that students with ADHD can go on to post-secondary education when supported and become successfully employed in the career of their choice, it makes no sense that we are not giving this mental health disorder more attention.
Heidi Bernhardt
President, Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada
On March the 15th CADDAC met with the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario to discuss the office’s role. This meeting was a follow-up to our e-mail outlining issues that parents in Ontario were having accessing support for their children with ADHD in schools.
While the Ombudsman’s Office wished to make sure that we clearly understood their role (see below), they did state that if a parent had followed the school hierarchy, from principal to superintendent, when voicing their concerns and felt that unresolved issues remained around policy and procedure a complaint could registered with the Ombudsman. Some examples of things that would be under the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman’s office:
If you feel that these administrative procedures have not been followed then it would make sense to contact the Ombudsman’s office. CADDDAC presented our understanding of the issues and complaints have been filed in the past, so the office is well aware that issues do exist. They are prepared to follow-up if complaints fall within their jurisdiction.
CADDAC has been advised that if we are aware of individuals who continue to have administrative concerns with any organization that falls under the Ombusman’s authority, we are to encourage them to contact the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman by calling their intake line at 1-800-263-1830, or filing an online complaint form at https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/have-a-complaint/make-a-complaint.
For further information on how the Office can help with these situations: https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Media/ombudsman/ombudsman/Documents/Complaints-about-SCHOOL-BOARDS-EN-accessible_1.pdf
Information on the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario
The office is appointed under the Ombudsman Act as an independent and an impartial Officer of the Ontario Legislature. The Ombudsman reviews and investigates the administrative conduct of provincial public sector bodies, including school boards and the Ministry of Education. The Ombudsman’s focus is on administrative issues and not matters of broader public policy. The Ombudsman does not act on behalf of or as an advocate for individual complainants, and does not provide legal advice and they do not advocate for a change in policy or procedure.
With respect to school boards, once a complaint is filed the office would review the board’s administration, including their adherence to, and application of policies and procedures. The Ombudsman may make recommendations to resolve problems we identify with the administrative conduct of a school board or to enhance governance and improve processes. The Ombudsman’s office cannot overrule or reverse the decisions of school boards and does not have the authority to direct school boards on what decisions to make, or substitute his opinion for that of the elected board of trustees.
The office is intended to be an office of last resort. This means the Office will not intervene in a matter if the individual has not first addressed the issue with the organization and exhausted its internal complaint, appeal or resolution processes. Generally, the Office will refer the individual to any such process before we review the matter to determine the nature and extent of our role, if any. The individual is able to return to the Office if he/she remains dissatisfied after exhausting the organization’s internal processes.
The Ontario election is quickly approaching so this is the opportune time to make your voice heard. You MPPs think that their constituents do not care about ADHD because they do not hear from families with ADHD, but they do hear from parents of children with Autism.
Is this true? Are you uninterested in ADHD?
Are your MPP and those running in your constituency aware of government policies that impact families with ADHD? For instance, are they aware that students with ADHD in Ontario do not qualify for recognition as exceptional learners? This identification would give them the same rights to special education resources as students with other neurodevelopmental disorders such as learning disabilities and Autism. Are they aware of the extensive wait lists and additional costs of receiving an ADHD diagnosis and treatment? Are they aware of costs to the health, child and youth, social service and justice systems in Ontario when we do not diagnose and treat ADHD?
For more information on ADHD advocacy in Canada access our past Blog.
CADDAC is asking parents, extended families, adults, health care providers and anyone interested in children and adults with ADHD to contact their MPP and those running in their riding.
Your MPP is required to meet with any constituent that requests a meeting.
We need you to do at least one of these things before the June election:
CADDAC has developed Election Documents for you to use, points for you to make and questions to be asked when meeting with your MPP or attending a town hall meeting. Template letters are also available to assist in your letter writing.
For more than a decade now CADDAC has been advocating with the Ministries of Education, Health, Child and Youth, Justice and Social Services. Our policy papers have been sent to all ministries across Canada impacted by ADHD, and we have personally met with many of these ministries.
When CADDAC meets with government officials to advocate for needed changes to improve the lives of families with ADHD we are told that change will only happen through the interest of our elected officials. In other words, the bureaucratic arm of the government will rarely effect change unless told to do so by the political arm of the government.
However, when CADDAC meets with the politicians we are told that they have no reason to be interested in ADHD since their constituents have shown no interest. They report that their constituents do not speak with them about ADHD, but they do hear from families of children and adults with other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism.
Since CADDAC receives countless calls from parents extremely concerned about the current situation we know that you are indeed very interested, but this is not being shared with your elected officials. You are interested in government policies that impact your children with ADHD in our schools. You are interested in the lack of accessibility to ADHD assessment and treatment options. You are interested in the fact that youth as well as adults with ADHD are highly represented in the prison population yet we lack screening and treatment of ADHD in most correction facilities across Canada.
Unless educated by their constituents, our MPPS fall prey to the same misinformation and misconceptions as the general public. They view ADHD it as an insignificant issue rather than the most common neurodevelopmental disorder impacting the academic success and mental well being of our Canadian children today.
This year we have a unique opportunity with the upcoming Ontario election. We can use this platform as a pilot to see if parents, grandparents, extended family, educators and medical professionals working in the field of ADHD are interested enough to let their voices be heard.
Let’s make ADHD an Ontario election issue for families impacted by ADHD!
For those of you outside of Ontario, there is no reason for you not to use the same information to assist you in letting your elected official know that you are indeed interested in ADHD.
What Can You Do To Help?
Did you know that your MPP is required to meet with any constituent that request a meeting?
Did you know that governments estimate that every letter they receive on a topic represents an additional 50 to 60 people also concerned about that topic who have not written a letter?
If you have an interest in ADHD, CADDAC and other Canadian ADHD support organizations need your help!
Advocacy efforts cannot succeed unless the voices of those like you are heard – we need all those with an interest in ADHD: parents, grandparents, adults with ADHD, extended family members, educators and medical professionals to do at least one thing to add their voice to the effort.
Please access information on or web site Campaign Page to find information that CADDAC has developed to help you in this effort.
You will find talking points and questions to share with your sitting MPP and those who will be running for election in your riding. You can use the same information to ask questions at town hall meetings.
CADDAC will be asking Ontario parties to answer a list of questions on ADHD. We will be posting their answers later in February for everyone to see. CADDAC will also be asking to meet with the party leaders to present this information and ask for their commitment to families impacted by ADHD.
Warm regards,
Heidi Bernhardt
