Mission, Vision, and Values
Mission:
CHADD empowers people affected by ADHD by:
- providing evidence-based information;
- supporting individuals, their families, and professionals who assist them throughout their journeys; and
- advocating for equity, inclusion, and universal rights.
Vision:
A world that recognizes, incorporates, and celebrates the strengths of those with ADHD.
Values:
- Integrity and Mutual Respect
- Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Quality That Earns Customer Satisfaction
- Flexibility and Teamwork
- Growth and Innovation
CHADD is dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for our employees, volunteers, and community.
CHADD's full statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) »
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“If you have a challenge, or someone in your family does, don’t get discouraged. There’s always a way to reach your dreams—it just might not be the path everyone else takes.”
Peyton Barber
GOALS & PRIORITIES
Our History
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) was founded in 1987 in response to the frustration and sense of isolation experienced by parents and their children with ADHD. At that time, one could turn to very few places for support or information. Many people seriously misunderstood ADHD. Many clinicians and educators knew little about the disability, and individuals with ADHD were often mistakenly labeled “a behavior problem,” “unmotivated,” or “not intelligent enough.”
ADHD is medically and legally recognized as a treatable yet potentially serious disorder, affecting up to nine percent of all children, and approximately four percent of adults.
Today, children with ADHD are eligible for special education services or accommodations within the regular classroom when needed, and adults with ADHD may be eligible for accommodations in the workplace under the Americans with Disabilities Act. CHADD is a success story, inspired by the desire of countless parents to see their children with ADHD succeed. From one parent support group in Florida, the organization grew dramatically to become the leading non-profit national organization for children and adults with ADHD.
The organization has a small national staff, which manages the day-to-day responsibilities, while its Board of Directors sets policy and oversees the organization’s well being. The organization is composed of dedicated volunteers from around the country who play an integral part in the association’s success by providing support, education and encouragement to parents, educators and professionals on a grassroots level through CHADD chapters. Along with its growth in membership and reputation, CHADD has retained the passion and commitment of its founders.
Staff, Boards & Committees
CHADD is fortunate to have a capable, caring and highly professional staff. From the mailroom to the boardroom to the CEO’s office, CHADD employees have one thing in common: They all work hard and contribute their talents to make the world a better place for people living with ADHD. They work tirelessly every day to educate the public, policymakers, members of the media, parents and educators about the disorder. The secrets to CHADD’s success: Experience, Talent and Diversity. CHADD attracts the best and the brightest and the most seasoned professionals from all over the country and actively seeks to promote diversity within its ranks. This stellar list of employees enables the organization to make a difference for millions of people affected by ADHD and their families.
The National Resource Center
The National Resource Center on ADHD (NRC), a program of CHADD, was established to be the national clearinghouse for the latest evidence-based information on ADHD. It is primarily funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD). The NRC serves as a National Public Health Practice and Resource Center (NPHPRC) with the mission to provide information, education and consultation about assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and issues of health and well-being for children with ADHD and their families.