Below are the presentation slides used for YANQ's recent presentations in Brisbane (November 28) and the Gold Coast (December 7).

ADHD Workshop Presentation Slides 293.79 Kb.

The booklet which was provided at the workshops is also on our site here. 

By Barry Turner

There are some people that are denying that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder exists. They are accused of being irresponsible, causing the condition to be underdiagnosed and even causing the sufferers of this disease to "unwittingly self medicate with illegal drugs or alcohol". If it were not for the fact that the explosion in ADHD diagnosis and treatment with stimulants such as Ritalin (Methylphenidate) represents the greatest medical catastrophe since Thalidomide these statements would be laughable.

Researchers from the United States recently suggested that medication has no beneficial effects on ADHD sufferers in the long-term and have warn that the medication can lead to stunted growth in a significant number of patients. ABC Radio National's World Today (13 Noember 2007) interviewed Professor William Pelham who has been involved in a national study on ADHD treatment since the 1990s.

You can read the transcript of the World Today story or download and listen to the full interview with Professor Pelham (MP3).

The powerpoint slides of Bob Jacob's Presentation (Celebrate!  Don't Medicate) at the National Youth Conference are now available - Celebrate Don't Medicate Slides.

In this article (What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), published in the Journal of Child Neurology, Dr Lydia Furman argues that "the working dogma that ADHD is a disease or neurobehavioral condition does not at this time hold up to scrutiny of evidence".

Read more at the International Centre for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology.

By Bob Jacobs, Psy. D. and the Youth Affairs Network of Queensland

 Download this article as a PDF 176.19 Kb

There is tremendous controversy around the issue of "ADHD", with lots of passion on all sides. Almost everyone with enough of an interest in "ADHD" to write or research on the subject has a strong point of view. For parents and others trying to read as much as possible and find what feels like the truth for them it is very important to read things with "healthy skepticism" using critical thinking. Don't accept things as fact just because someone states it strongly or because they have titles and degrees after their name. Use your own common sense, experience and intelligence in analysing what is being said, and especially what it really means. 

This report is written out a desire to protect children. It is written to advocate for the right of children to grow up with healthy bodies and clear minds. It is written as a plea to celebrate the diversity of children and to view their unique expressions as precious gifts, rather than describing them as “sick” when they don’t conform, obey or please adults.

 Queensland Children at Risk 1.43 Mb