ADHD

The Research Exchange Group on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was established in 2016 as a forum where people can discuss issues related to ADHD research, policy, and programming. The group connects university, community and health system partners, together with people with ADHD and their caregivers - anyone with an interest in this topic is welcome to join us. 

Group Conveners 
  • Dr. Jacqueline Hesson–Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, Memorial University
  • Dr. Ross Connolly - Psychologist, Memorial University Student Wellness and Counselling Centre 

Goals & Objectives

  • Focus on Adult ADHD as a special research and practice area
  • Create trans-disciplinary research connections and opportunities for researchers, clinicians, and community partners to engage in research activities
  • Identify best evidence and best practices associated with care for people with ADHD
  • Exchange knowledge about ADHD diagnosis and assessment
  • Identify gaps in the existing research literature
  • Identify funding opportunities that will support research teams in new research projects on ADHD
  • Work towards the development of reliable information resources for people with ADHD, for parents, caregivers, educators, and researchers
  • Develop greater overall capacity to conduct research on ADHD in Newfoundland and Labrador

Research Themes

The group has identified the following major research themes for possible group collaboration, presentations, and research projects:

  • Adult ADHD
  • Defining ADHD
  • Lifestyle, diet & ADHD
  • Technology & ADHD
  • ADHD and Education
  • Treatment options for persons with ADHD
  • Contributing factors to a diagnosis of ADHD
  • ADHD and public policy (health and education)
  • The landscape for ADHD in NL
  • Gathering information about ADHD prevalence, treatment and supports for caregivers
  • Best practices for clinicians treating clients with ADHD
  • ADHD across the lifespan

Join Us

NLCAHR’s Research Exchange Group on ADHD welcomes anyone with an interest in ADHD to join us. Please see our calendar of meetings for information about upcoming webinars or email rochellebaker@mun.ca for more details.

Activities & Presentations

The group welcomes presentations from anyone with clinical experience, research knowledge, programming or practice guidelines or any other topic related to ADHD that you would like to share with the group. If there are topics related to ADHD that interest you, roundtable discussions and journal article presentations can also be scheduled. Please contact rochellebaker@mun.ca to make suggestions for talks or to be added to the presentations roster.

Presentations

Postponed with new date TBA | ADHD and Gender | Dr. Sarah Pickett, Faculty of Educaiton, Memorial University and Fiona Trend Cunningham, Doctoral Practicum student at Coastal Health, NL will discuss their research on ADHD and gender.

September 21, 2022 | 12:30pm to 2:00pm NT |Making Plans for the ADHD Research Exchange Group and Discussion of the 2022 Canadian ADD Resource Alliance (CADDRA) Conference & Research Day 2022 taking place in St. John's NL.

October 25, 2022 | 12:30pm to 2:00pm NT | ADHD and Sleep | Master's research on the impact of ADHD on sleep with Sydney Wells (Memorial University, Master's of Education) and Dr. Christopher Earle, a psychiatrist and sleep physician. Originally from Newfoundland, Dr. Earle is a clinical Psychiatristi at Western University in London, Ontario whose clinical practice and research focus on behavioural sleep interventions and improving access to evidence-based insomnia interventions.

November 22, 2022 | 12:30pm to 2:00pm NT | Adult ADHD Service Landscape in NL | Roundtable discussion facilitated by Dr. Jackie Hesson and Dr. Ross Connolly on the research,  service and policy landcape for Adult ADHD in Newfoundland and Labrador. Notes from Session on Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Services

February 13, 2020 | Post-Secondary Students with ADHD | Dr. June Kirkland-Smith, Field Education Coordinator, School of Social Work | Facilitated discussion on experiences, approaches, and supports. |

December 4, 2018 | Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance | Dr. Doron Almagor, Board Chair of the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA) about programs, research resources and opportunities for partnership | Link to Presentation

February 14, 2018 | ADHD and Lifestyle Behaviours in Children and Adolescents | Dr. Kristen Williams, Eastern Health | Overview of some of the research literature followed by discussion questions for the group. |

December 13, 2017 | Self-Management and Substance Abuse | Dr. Ross Connolly, Memorial University Lecturer in Counselling, Provisionally Registered Psychologist (NL).| Link to Presentation |

October 11, 2017 | Cannabinoids and ADHD | A Journal Article Discussion |

February 22, 2017 | Parent Information and Support Sessions in Eastern Health | Tanya Purchase on Eastern Health's Parent Information and Support Sessions for Parents of Children with ADHD (held at the Janeway) | Links to Session Information: Session 1 for ParentsSession 2 for ParentsSession 3 for Parents

March 29, 2017 | ADHD Coaching | Brett Thornhill, Mindset Coaching | Link to Presentation|

May 31, 2017 | Gaming Addictions | Dr. Nick Harris, Department of Psychology, Memorial University | Link to Presentation|