For advocacy of ADHD to be effective, the voices of those impacted by the disorder need to be heard. Myths and misinformation have been prominent in the media and in the community at large for too many years, despite abundant medical information backed by research. The misunderstanding and stigma surrounding ADHD continues to impact families affected by ADHD, causing stress, confusion, under diagnosis and under treatment. This continuing stigma has resulted in most families remaining quiet about the significant impact of ADHD on their lives.
When their constituents remain silent on the issues surrounding ADHD, politicians and decision makers see no need to make any changes or even consider the impact of ADHD. When they are informed about existing needs though advocacy work they are uninterested because they think their constituents are uninterested.
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.
Help make ADHD an election issue on June 2!
Let’s ensure that political party platforms include individuals and families living with ADHD to improve access to assessment, diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment as well as educational and workplace accommodations.
For more information about how you can help advocate, please access our comprehensive Advocacy Toolkit for more information
Download PDFWriting a letter to your MP, MPP, MLA or MNA, Minister or editor of a local newspaper expressing your interest in ADHD, your concerns, and your requests is hugely helpful in ADHD advocacy efforts. When meeting with government representatives we are frequently told that they do not hear from their constituents on this topic and are therefore not overly interested in becoming involved.
ADHD Speaks is a long-term awareness campaign encouraging people to speak out about their ADHD by sending in a video, audio, written or visual piece sharing their experiences with ADHD.
Launched in 2018, the campaign aims to bring general awareness of ADHD to the public, medical professionals, government officials, educators, those suffering from ADHD and their families. The campaign aims to increase awareness and understanding of the impact ADHD has on those living with the condition, their families, and society as a whole.
CADDAC is asking people of all ages, including kids, to join the discussion and share their experiences, by text, audio or video. Tell us ONE thing you wish people knew about ADHD (yes pick just one) and submit it to us or share it on social media and tag us!
Make a SubmissionCelebrate Pride with us! Are you someone living with ADHD who identifies as part of the LGBTQ2S+ community? We would love to hear your story & perspective!
Make a Pride SubmissionAs a mom raising three boys with ADHD, you’d think I’d have seen the signs. My boys were all diagnosed young, with their ADHD showing up in the more “obvious” ways—hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and the constant need to move. I thought I had a pretty cl...
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I remember the moment I found out I had ADHD – in my early 40’s – so clearly. When my psychologist revealed the outcome of my assessment and confirmed, indeed, I had ADHD… my life flashed through my mind. The ideas, the stories I couldn’t tell without...
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From the moment she could speak, my husband and I knew our bright, highly creative, physically active daughter was “different” so we enrolled her in the local private school; we hoped the small class size and additional resources would provide whatever...
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Parenting with ADHD can be quite overwhelming. For most of my life, I was misdiagnosed. I was told I had major depressive disorder that was resistant to treatment, anxiety, and Anorexia Nervosa. I was hospitalized when I was 20 years old for Anorexia a...
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I am Melanie (She Her), Or Mel as most people call me. I work as a middle manager in a corporate job and as a small business owner as a decluttering coach and professional organizer. This is my ADHD and Clutter story. I am an empty nester and have been...
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MY FRIENDS CALL ME DeeA journey of self-discovery, atonement and acceptance after a middle-aged ADHD DiagnosisOn a cold December afternoon in 2022, I requested a call with my family doctor that would change the trajectory of my life, and would be the m...
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Thank you for your interest in volunteering with CADDAC. There are no volunteer opportunities at this time.
Your gift help support awareness about ADHD to the public and for individuals and families who are impacted, providing education, and hosting courses/support groups to those individuals with ADHD who are struggling. The Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada is grateful for your support. Here is some of the impact stories of individuals and/or their families that have been affected by ADHD