The Ontario Public School Board Association (OPSBA) Votes to Recognize Students with ADHD

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