Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often continues into adulthood. It can lead to serious problems, including poor relationships, family stress, misbehavior, problems at school, job failure, obesity, and an increased risk for accidental injuries. Information and education on ADHD that is based on best evidence is key to properly managing ADHD.
Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD) is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, adults, and families affected by ADHD. Since 2002, CHADD’s National Resource Center on ADHD (NRC) has served as the clearinghouse for evidence-based information on ADHD, supporting individuals with the disorder, their families, and the healthcare providers and educators involved in their lives. CHADD’s NRC proposes to Implement Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs for Children with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder.
Program strategies/activities will focus on 1) providing information, consultation and referral services which include a helpline, website, newsletter, online library database, resource directory of professionals, and social media posts; 2) developing and disseminating health communication programs and materials such as fact sheets, articles, FAQs, infographics, toolkits, videos, podcasts, and memes for targeted audiences; and 3) developing and delivering health education and training programs to the public, educators, and healthcare professionals.
CHADD’s Resident Expert and Professional Advisory Board members will review the scientific evidence for all the information we produce. We will collaborate with the CDC to meet our program goals and support CDC’s interests. We will collaborate with various ADHD experts and professional groups, including the Annual International Conference on ADHD committee, to develop the education and training programs, especially the ones for professionals.
To increase dissemination of our program materials, we will exhibit at several large conferences held by mental health or teacher groups each year. We plan to increase our work with CHADD’s support groups, specifically the CHADD Regional Chapters, with the goal of developing local partners with public and private sectors, including businesses, professional associations, universities, school systems, and other concerned groups, within their communities.
Capitalizing on the strong partnerships established by CHADD and the NRC, we plan to use ADHD Awareness Month to raise awareness of ADHD among the general public and the media. We will continue our ADHD Communities Together (ACT) program, to reach underserved communities through new and existing collaborations.
We will implement a comprehensive marketing plan to promote our programs. Throughout the year, we will continuously evaluate and measure our programs to improve our processes and develop new materials and programs based on our evaluation data.
The NRC programs will increase awareness of ADHD support services and treatments, increase knowledge about ADHD-related issues along with skills, strategies, and proper diagnosis and treatment to manage ADHD, and increase intention of those we reach to practice healthy behaviors and use the strategies and treatments that are supported by evidence.
