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Report from the Fourth Annual International ADDISS Conference
ADHD Across the Lifespan
Missed Opportunities - Live Hopes
The Fourth Annual International ADDISS Conference, 'ADHD Across the Lifespan: Missed Opportunities - Live Hopes', supported by FOCUS at the Royal College of Psychiatrists Research Unit, held on the 26th, 27th and 28th March 2001 was once again a huge success with over 500 delegates attending. The Dorset Group representative, Margaret Alsop, along with approximately 20 other group representatives, received sponsorship from ADDISS.
Over the three-day period I met with many professionals: Dr Geoff Kewley, Professor Eric Taylor, Dr Sam Goldstein, Dr Nikos Myttas, Dr Robert Doyle, Professor Thomas Brown, Dr Margaret Thompson, David Pentecost, and Professor Loretta Giorcelli.
There were discussions on the findings of the 14-month randomised MTA Trials, clinical applications and future research; the effective care and treatment of children with ADHD; social skills training for children with ADHD/LD; the management of adolescents with complex ADHD and related difficulties; ADD, inattention and learning problems; and a prescribers' masterclass, including novel pharmacological treatments of ADHD. For education, there was the role of the behaviour support teacher; developing behavioural management programmes for parents with an ADHD child; and what makes a school effective for students with learning and/or attentional problems. Dr Sam Goldstein and Dr Robert Brooks covered 'The helping professional/futurist ADHD in adult years and the 'Resilient Mindset' and teaching empathy by practicing empathy'.
There were just not enough hours in the days to be able to fit in every parallel session that was available and there was so much information on ADHD. Meeting the caring, understanding professionals rather than the 'Dinosaurs' was a pleasure. One of the workshops I attended had a great impact on me. It was presented by Professor Loretta Giorcelli, in which she presented a useful framework for judging schools as effective and inclusive for students with learning and/or attentional problems. This was useful for parents and professionals in making decisions about schools and their flexibility for educating students. There were strategies for moving schools towards more effective, inclusive schooling practices.
There was also a keynote presentation on the critical nature of social learning and the importance of social skills programming. Strategies were shared for teachers, schools and agencies developing or delivering social skills programmes. Loretta also focused on ways of classroom management, transition of activities, and instructional focus which helps address the impact of inattention, distractability and impulsivity in students.
Some of the other workshops I attended: Dr Nikos Myttas discussed ADHD, substance abuse and criminal behaviour; Dr Margaret Thompson: the evaluation of two treatment packages for three-year-old children with hyperactivity, and their parents; Dr Alison Munden: 'making the pieces fit - building an ADHD service; an interactive forum for clinicians, service managers and users'; and solicitor Paul Onrathe: special educational needs and the law, in which he spoke of:
1. the new code of practice on identification and assessment of children with special educational needs
2. the new tribunal procedure and regulations
3. the availability of compensation following the decision in the 'Phelps' case in the House of Lords
I must admit that it was not all work and no play. Many of us met up in the hotel restaurant and bar later in the evenings. It was a real pleasure to see professionals, parents, carers and other organisational representatives mixing and talking with each other.
It was also nice to share information on what is happening in the ADHD field in other counties involving Health, Education and Social Services. After hearing some of the delegates' experiences in other area, we in Dorset are very fortunate to be able to say that our education and social services departments are now working with us, rather than against us. In other counties it appears that these departments do not even want to know that local ADHD support groups exist, although their Health Authorities work closely with them. (Well two out of three in Dorset is good going.) Thank you to all the staff within our LEA and Social Services Directorates who do understand the needs of our children and their families. This is good 'Partnership' and long may it continue.
Margaret Alsop
Chairman for Dorset ADHD Support Group
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Phone: 020 8906 9068
Fax: 020 8959 0727
e-mail: info@addiss.co.uk
ADDISS
PO Box 340
Edgware
Middlesex HA8 9HL
Registered Charity 1070827
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