Friday, August 1, 2008

A Speaker's View of Conference


by Anne Teeter Ellison, EdD

Speaking at the annual CHADD conference is always a highlight of my year. Although I routinely speak at professional meetings, CHADD provides me a unique experience—the opportunity to meet individuals affected by AD/HD. I feel so energized after these interchanges—where else can a speaker talk with a mom who has helped her daughter with AD/HD make a new friend, an adult who has learned to control his emotions when parenting his son with AD/HD, and a teacher who has found a new way to motivate her students with AD/HD to complete their homework? It is also important for me to hear about things that don’t turn out so well—some proven intervention strategies don’t help every individual with AD/HD. Children and adults with complex problems require more intensive, long-term, and innovative treatments. It is critical for researchers and clinicians to hear about these challenges. These interactions inform practitioners and challenge scientists to extend their research and to challenge their theories about what works best for individuals with AD/HD and their families.

The challenge of translating research into practice has been my career goal. Making research interesting, compelling, and useful has been a driving force. It is always a humbling experience to see your ideas capture the imagination of others, to inspire someone to try something new, and to change the way they understand the science of AD/HD.

It may not be common knowledge, but speakers at CHADD conferences deliver information before it has been published. It generally takes 12-16 months for research articles, books, and papers on clinical best practices to get published. That’s a long time if you are looking for solutions to your problems today. CHADD audiences are also treated to world renowned speakers who report their work before it is presented at other prestigious conferences. What an incredible opportunity.

The annual CHADD conference is an exciting meeting, one where I learn something new from other speakers and attendees. My own thinking about AD/HD is expanded by new findings and also by my discussions with adults with AD/HD, parents of children with AD/HD, educators who are looking for helpful suggestions, clinicians who are implementing programs in communities across the globe, and scientists who are exploring new theories and treatments for AD/HD.

Audiences at CHADD’s conference are treated to the latest news about the causes of AD/HD, how best to diagnose the disorder across the lifespan, and which treatments work best for which individuals. There is no other conference that brings together such an impressive array of AD/HD experts who are accessible to attendees on a personal level.

Dr. Anne Teeter Ellison will be presenting during the following sessions:

Teacher to Teacher (T2T): CHADD’s Teacher Training Program on Evidence-Based Practices for AD/HD
Chris Dendy, Anne Teeter Ellison, and Joan Helbing
Cost of the Workshop: $75
Attendance is limited: 50 teachers/educators
Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Time: 8:30 – 5:30

Promise, Proof and Practice: Multiple Approaches to Improving AD/HD Care
Regina Bussing, Anne Teeter Ellison, George DuPaul, and Sam Goldstein
Cost of Pre-Conference Institute: $150
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2008
Time: 9:00-12:00

News You Can Use
Sam Goldstein and Anne Teeter Ellison
Date: Friday, November 14, 2008
Time: 3:30-5:00 pm

Friday, June 20, 2008

CHADD Conference blog

Coming Soon!!!