2020 Conference to be Held Virtually in November

Lanham, MD (Oct. 23, 2020)—More than 1,000 members of the global ADHD community will convene from November 5 through 7 for the 2020 Virtual International Conference on ADHD. This premier event, hosted by three leading nonprofit organizations─CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association), and ACO (ADHD Coaches Organization)─delivers three days of ADHD-focused science, education, and essential information. The intended audience includes adults with ADHD, parents and caregivers of children with ADHD, educators, mental health clinicians, coaches, advocates, and medical professionals who diagnose and treat patients with ADHD.

This year’s conference, themed “Strong Minds, Healthy Lives,” will feature 60 general sessions and 20 ADHD Professional Institute (API) workshops presented by renowned ADHD clinicians, researchers, and coaches; numerous peer-to-peer sessions, activities, and networking opportunities; a virtual exhibit hall; a talent show; and much more.

“Our 2020 theme is based on cutting-edge research conducted by Russell A. Barkley, PhD, which clearly shows that untreated ADHD can have a significant negative impact on both mental and physical health, and ultimately, life expectancy,” said CHADD Professional Expert and Conference Co-chair Ari Tuckman, PsyD. “Little did we know when we began planning this conference a year ago that we would be living through a pandemic, making it all the more important for individuals with ADHD to live a healthy lifestyle. We hope the conference will provide participants with the practical strategies they need to navigate through these especially challenging times and live a longer, healthier life.”

Featured as this year’s keynote speakers are John Ratey, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, who will discuss “Using Exercise in the Treatment of ADHD”; Kathleen Nadeau, PhD, Founder/Clinical Director, Chesapeake Center for ADHD, on the topic of “How Lifestyle Determines our Future”; and Sinbad, who will deliver the closing keynote titled “You, Me and ADHD… A Day in the Life of One of America’s Funniest Comedians.”

Session topics include Living Well With ADHD; Supporting Children with ADHD at School and at Home; Adapting to Special Education in the Era of Distance Learning; Successful Transitioning to Adulthood: What Clinicians and Educators Can Do to Prevent or Remediate Failure to Launch; The Struggle Is Real: People of Color and ADHD; Mindfulness Training for Adults with ADHD; More Joy, Less Complication for Couples Impacted by ADHD; and many more. The complete agenda can be found here.

“While it’s disappointing that we can’t gather in person this year,” said Dr. Tuckman, “we expect that holding the conference virtually will benefit the ADHD community in greater numbers, as this format presents a much more convenient and substantially less expensive way to attend. We’ve made sure to still build in several opportunities to interact with our speakers and other attendees, which is an important part of the conference experience. And most of the sessions will be made available to registrants for a full two weeks following the conference. We’re really pleased to be able to enhance access and foster connections at an especially critical time in the ADHD community.”

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)―a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity―affects 17 million children and adults of every age, gender, IQ, religion, and socioeconomic background across the United States. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, endorsed by the most prestigious medical organizations in the world, there is still a great deal of inaccurate information circulating, leading to confusion and doubt among uninformed or misinformed audiences.

Without proper identification, diagnosis and treatment, ADHD can have potentially devastating consequences, including school failure, job failure, family stress and disruption, depression, relationship problems, substance use issues, delinquency, accidental injuries, legal difficulties, and reduced life expectancy. ADHD is highly manageable with an individualized multimodal treatment approach that can include behavioral interventions, parent and patient training, educational support, and medication. Raising awareness about ADHD, and sharing evidence-based information and best practices, is paramount.

For more information about the conference or to register, please visit the 2020 Virtual International Conference on ADHD website.

CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is dedicated to improving the lives of the 17 million children and adults in the United States living with ADHD, as well as their families, educators, and healthcare professionals, through support, training, education, and advocacy. Visit chadd.org or call 301.306.7070 to learn more.

ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association) provides information, resources, and networking opportunities to help adults with ADHD lead better lives. The organization brings together science and the human experience for adults with ADHD and professionals who serve them. Visit add.org or call 800.939.1019 to learn more.

ACO (ADHD Coaches Organization) is the worldwide professional membership organization for ADHD coaches, and is committed to being the outstanding resource for this profession. Visit adhdcoaches.org or call 888.638.3999 to learn more.