CADDAC Conference 2009
I had the opportunity this past weekend to attend the CADDAC conference in Toronto. To my knowledge, it was the first-ever 2-day ADHD event of its type in Canada, and it was excellent. It’s a tricky thing to find a balance of speakers and workshops that can engage and enlighten everyone from experienced clinicians and coaches to newly-diagnosed young adults, but the organizers did a really admirable job. Over the course of my next few posts, I’ll be writing about what I found to be most exciting and informative aspects of the conference.
While I was unable to attend the comedy show with Canadian stars Rick Green and Patrick McKenna on Saturday night, I was truly excited to see what a central a role it played in the promotion of the conference. And while ADHD is unquestionably a very serious mental health issue — with profound implications for public health — it can also be very, very funny. Putting first-rate Canadian comedians (both of whom have ADHD themselves) in such a prominent place at the conference was a great reminder of how much better it feels to have ADHD when we can laugh at it.
Highlights of the conference that I was able to take in included:
- Two powerful lectures by American psychiatry professor Dr. Russell Barkley. The first, which began with an overview of the neurophysiology of ADHD, explored the central role that poor Executive Function plays in creating the symptoms of Adult ADHD. The second was an overview of the latest research on the major life activities that are impaired by having ADHD. Barkley argues that ADHD needs to be acknowledged as a major public health issue, with substantial implications for the economy and society.
- An inspiring presentation by Olympic rower and 2-time medalist Jake Wetzel. Wetzel talked movingly about the frustrations of having ADHD as a teenager, and the importance of making the best of your strengths, minimizing your weaknesses, and following your passions.
- Steve Ilott’s workshop on “Decluttering Your Mind and Space,” which included many valuable, ADHD-friendly tips on getting clutter under control - and keeping it that way.
I’ll be blogging more on the conference soon.
