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Martin Debbané, Stephan Eliez, Nader Perroud, and Maude Schneider

What is ADHD and what are the challenges that come with it?

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What is ADHD and what are the challenges that come with it?

Whether you are a person affected by ADHD, a family member or a professional, this MOOC will provide you with an understanding of what ADHD is. It will allow you to respond to the specific challenges of ADHD by developing a complex strategy that integrates psychological dimensions, neurobiological treatments, as well as environmental interventions. Since in two thirds of cases this disorder is relatively persistent, even though it may fluctuate over the course of an individual's life, this course will provide keys to understanding how to live with ADHD over time.

Through presentations by experts in the field, activities and various resources such as readings and videos, you will learn about

- The assessment of ADHD symptoms

- The specifics of ADHD diagnosis, as well as its differential diagnoses and comorbidities

- Biological (including medication), psychological and environmental interventions for ADHD

This MOOC has been created for teenagers and adults affected by ADHD, as well as their families. It has also been designed for professionals interested in ADHD. This MOOC is also proposed to medical and psychology students who wish to learn more about ADHD.

We hope you will have a lot of fun following this MOOC!

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What's inside

Syllabus

What is ADHD? Challenges and strengths
In this module, you will discover the signs of ADHD and the diagnostic elements, and how the difficulties that appear, according to age, can lead to specific challenges in everyday life, in relationships at school or in the workplace.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces learners to the fundamentals of ADHD, which is valuable to learners who are new to this subject
Provides a thorough understanding of ADHD symptoms and their impact across various life stages, which is helpful for learners seeking a comprehensive overview
Covers a wide range of intervention strategies, including biological, psychological, and environmental approaches, which is beneficial for learners seeking a holistic understanding of ADHD management
Offers practical skills and strategies for managing ADHD symptoms in different areas of life, which is useful for learners seeking actionable steps for improvement
Emphasizes the importance of understanding comorbidities and their impact on ADHD, providing learners with a more nuanced understanding of this disorder
Provides learners with the opportunity to explore the challenges and strengths associated with ADHD, fostering self-awareness and acceptance

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Reviews summary

Holistic guide to living with adhd

According to learners, "A life with ADHD" offers a comprehensive overview of ADHD, making it an invaluable resource for a broad audience, including individuals with ADHD, their families, and aspiring professionals. Students consistently praise its well-structured content and the knowledgeable experts who explain complex topics clearly. Many highlight the practical strategies offered in modules like "Skills Building" and "Environmental interventions", which provide immediately applicable tools for daily life. While the course provides a solid foundational understanding and a balanced view of interventions, some experienced professionals found certain sections too general, wishing for more advanced clinical insights. Overall, it's considered an excellent starting point for understanding and managing ADHD.
Features knowledgeable instructors who explain complex topics simply and effectively.
"The experts were highly knowledgeable, and I especially appreciated the modules on psychological and environmental interventions."
"As a psychology student, this course was invaluable... The lectures were clear and well-structured. It bridges the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application beautifully."
"The instructors are clearly experts and passionate about the subject."
Provides a broad and detailed understanding of ADHD, covering various aspects.
"This course provided a fantastic overview of ADHD, covering everything from diagnosis to practical strategies."
"A very informative course. I found the biological interventions module particularly insightful, giving a balanced view..."
"The course is well-organized and covers a wide range of topics, especially the less commonly discussed ones."
Offers actionable tools and skills for daily management and support.
"I especially appreciated the modules on psychological and environmental interventions. It really helped me understand my own ADHD better..."
"Absolutely life-changing! This course helped me understand my child's ADHD better than anything else. The family intervention tips were gold."
"The section on 'Skills Building' was incredibly practical. I've already implemented several strategies for managing my attention and planning..."
Some found the delivery dry, desiring more interactive elements or detailed examples.
"While the information is correct, I found the delivery quite dry and academic. It was hard to stay engaged. I prefer more interactive elements or case studies."
"Some of the psychological strategies were mentioned but not elaborated enough for practical use. Needs more real-world examples."
"My main critique is that some modules felt rushed, and I wish there were more resources provided for further reading on specific interventions."
May lack advanced clinical depth, proving too basic for experienced practitioners.
"The content is generally good, but some parts felt a bit basic for me as a healthcare professional already working with ADHD patients. I was hoping for more advanced clinical insights."
"It's a decent introduction, but I was hoping for more in-depth coverage of specific treatment protocols. As a professional, I found it a bit too general."
"For beginners though, it's probably very comprehensive."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in A life with ADHD with these activities:
Review 'Driven to Distraction'
Establishes the core concepts of ADHD, which will be useful as you complete the course.
Show steps
  • Read the first four chapters of 'Driven to Distraction' to get an overview of ADHD.
  • Summarize the chapter in your own words.
  • Reflect on how the information applies to your own experiences.
Attend a workshop on ADHD
Workshops can provide you with in-depth information about ADHD.
Browse courses on ADHD
Show steps
  • Find a workshop on ADHD that you are interested in.
  • Register for the workshop.
  • Attend the workshop and participate in the activities.
Follow a tutorial on how to use a time management app
Time management apps can help you to stay organized and on track.
Browse courses on Time Management
Show steps
  • Find a time management app that you like.
  • Follow a tutorial on how to use the app.
  • Set up the app to meet your needs.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Complete a mindfulness meditation exercise
Mindfulness techniques can help you manage your attention and improve your focus.
Browse courses on Mindfulness
Show steps
  • Find a quiet place to sit or lie down.
  • Close your eyes and focus on your breath.
  • Notice your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Join an online support group for people with ADHD
Support groups can provide you with a sense of community and support.
Browse courses on ADHD
Show steps
  • Find an online support group for people with ADHD.
  • Introduce yourself to the group.
  • Share your experiences and learn from others.
Write a blog post about your experiences with ADHD
Writing about your experiences can help you to understand and manage your ADHD.
Browse courses on ADHD
Show steps
  • Choose a topic that you are passionate about.
  • Write a blog post about your experiences with ADHD.
  • Share your blog post with others.
Create a video about a specific topic related to ADHD
Creating a video can help you to learn more about ADHD and share your knowledge with others.
Browse courses on ADHD
Show steps
  • Choose a topic related to ADHD that you are passionate about.
  • Write a script for your video.
  • Record and edit your video.
Contribute to an open-source project related to ADHD
Contributing to open-source projects can help you to learn more about ADHD and use your skills to help others.
Browse courses on ADHD
Show steps
  • Find an open-source project related to ADHD that you are interested in.
  • Contact the project maintainers and express your interest in contributing.
  • Make a contribution to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete A life with ADHD will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
As a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, you are trained to diagnose and treat mental health disorders in children and adolescents, including ADHD. The course, *A Life with ADHD*, offers a specialized focus on the developmental aspects, assessment, and treatment of ADHD in younger populations. This knowledge will equip you to effectively address the unique challenges faced by children and adolescents with ADHD, supporting their emotional and behavioral well-being.
School Psychologist
As a School Psychologist, you are responsible for assessing and providing support to students with mental health and learning challenges, including ADHD. The course, *A Life with ADHD*, provides a thorough foundation in the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of ADHD. This knowledge will enhance your ability to conduct comprehensive evaluations, develop individualized interventions, and collaborate with educators and families to promote student success.
Psychiatrist
As a Psychiatrist, you specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, including ADHD. The course, *A Life with ADHD*, provides a comprehensive understanding of the neurobiological basis of ADHD, as well as the latest pharmacological interventions. This knowledge will enhance your ability to accurately diagnose ADHD and prescribe appropriate medications, optimizing treatment outcomes for your patients.
Pediatric Neurologist
As a Pediatric Neurologist, you specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders in children, including ADHD. The course, *A Life with ADHD*, provides a comprehensive understanding of the neurobiological basis of ADHD, as well as the impact of ADHD on brain development. This knowledge will enhance your ability to diagnose and treat ADHD in children, ensuring optimal outcomes throughout their developmental journey.
Special Education Teacher
As a Special Education Teacher, you are dedicated to providing specialized instruction and support to students with learning disabilities, including ADHD. The course, *A Life with ADHD*, offers a comprehensive understanding of the disorder, its impact on learning, and effective interventions. By gaining this knowledge, you can tailor your teaching methods to effectively meet the needs of students with ADHD, fostering their academic and social-emotional development.
Developmental Pediatrician
As a Developmental Pediatrician, you specialize in evaluating and treating developmental and behavioral disorders in children, including ADHD. The course, *A Life with ADHD*, provides a comprehensive understanding of the neurodevelopmental basis of ADHD, as well as the developmental trajectory of the disorder. This knowledge will enhance your ability to diagnose and manage ADHD in children, ensuring early intervention and optimal outcomes.
Clinical Psychologist
As a Clinical Psychologist, you are trained to provide psychological assessment, diagnosis, and therapy for individuals with mental health disorders, including ADHD. The course, *A Life with ADHD*, offers a deep understanding of the etiology, symptoms, and evidence-based interventions for ADHD. This knowledge will equip you to provide effective treatment to individuals with ADHD, helping them to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
ADHD Coach
As an ADHD Coach, you provide support, guidance, and accountability to individuals with ADHD. The course, *A Life with ADHD*, offers a deep understanding of the challenges and strengths associated with ADHD. This knowledge will empower you to effectively coach clients in developing strategies to manage their symptoms, improve their executive functioning skills, and live fulfilling lives.
Guidance Counselor
As a Guidance Counselor, you will play a pivotal role in assisting students with academic, career, and personal development. The course, *A Life with ADHD*, provides a deep dive into understanding the challenges and strategies for managing ADHD. This knowledge will empower you to better support students with ADHD, helping them to overcome obstacles and maximize their potential.
Occupational Therapist
As an Occupational Therapist, you help individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges to engage in meaningful activities. The course, *A Life with ADHD*, provides valuable insights into the impact of ADHD on daily functioning and the strategies to promote independence and participation. This knowledge will empower you to develop tailored interventions that support individuals with ADHD in overcoming challenges and achieving their goals.
Educational Consultant
As an Educational Consultant, you provide guidance and support to students, parents, and educators on educational issues. The course, *A Life with ADHD*, equips you with a comprehensive understanding of ADHD and its impact on learning. This knowledge will enable you to effectively advocate for students with ADHD, collaborate with schools to develop appropriate accommodations, and empower families to support their children's educational success.
Speech-Language Pathologist
As a Speech-Language Pathologist, you assess and treat individuals with communication and swallowing difficulties. The course, *A Life with ADHD*, provides an understanding of the impact of ADHD on language development, social communication, and attention. This knowledge will enhance your ability to evaluate and intervene in cases where ADHD co-occurs with communication challenges, promoting effective communication and social interaction.
Social Worker
As a Social Worker, you provide support and services to individuals and families facing challenges. The course, *A Life with ADHD*, provides insights into the social, emotional, and behavioral aspects of ADHD. This knowledge will enhance your ability to assess and intervene in cases where ADHD contributes to difficulties in interpersonal relationships, family dynamics, or community participation.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in A life with ADHD.
Comprehensive guide to managing ADHD in adulthood. It covers a wide range of topics, including medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on ADHD in adults. It covers topics such as diagnosis, treatment, and coping strategies.
Provides an overview of ADHD, including its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. It is written in a clear and concise style, making it a good choice for those who are new to the topic.
Provides a comprehensive guide to managing ADHD in children and adults. It covers a wide range of topics, including medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Is written by two women who have ADHD. It provides a personal perspective on the challenges of living with ADHD, and offers practical advice on how to manage symptoms.
Explores the positive aspects of ADHD. It argues that people with ADHD can be creative, successful, and happy.
Provides strategies for overcoming distractions. It is written for people with ADHD, but it can also be helpful for people who simply want to improve their focus and concentration.
Discusses the benefits of exercise for people with ADHD. It provides evidence that exercise can improve attention, focus, and behavior.
Critical look at the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. It argues that ADHD is often overdiagnosed and that medication is not always the best treatment.

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