A 6-week course for adult learners

UNDERSTANDING ADHD

REGISTER TODAY
COURSE DETAILS

An Educational Experience, Not a Therapy Group

This is an educational experience for adult learners who want to know more about ADHD. It is NOT a therapy group of any kind. This course is intended as a community activity not connected to any university or organization.

Adult learning with classmates
COURSE OUTLINE

ADHD is difficult to recognize and is characterized by many difficulties in addition to attention problems. The name of the disorder changes every few years as do the criteria for its diagnosis. It is sometimes considered a single disorder that manifests itself in different ways but is sometimes thought to encompass several different disorders. In this course, we will briefly trace the history of the concept of ADHD and theories about what causes it. Most of the course is devoted to the assessment and treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents and adults, focusing on recent research. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their own perspectives about the disorder and its treatment.

SESSION 01

Introduction

After the instructor and participants introduce themselves, we will review the history of concepts and definitions of ADHD. Most of the session will be devoted to the current definition and contemporary understanding of the features of ADHD, its progression over the lifespan, the difficulties it brings, its prognosis and treatment. In addition to the mainstream scientific literature, we will briefly consider the minority position – that ADHD does not really exist but was fabricated by pharmaceutical companies. We will review the other disorders that usually come with ADHD and discuss the implications of the fact that most people with ADHD also can be diagnosed with other forms of mental illness.

SESSION 02

ADHD in childhood

ADHD in childhood. In this session, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of diagnosing disorders in the early years from a developmental perspective. There has been considerable controversy about the age at wish ADHD begins and ends. The challenges to parents and teachers are emphasized. Most of this session will be devoted to the assessment and treatment of childhood ADHD.

SESSION 03

ADHD in adolescents

Although it was once thought that ADHD generally disappears with the onset of adolescence, recent research indicates that it does not. The prevalent symptoms of ADHD among adolescents aIre, however, somewhat different from the typical symptoms in the early years. Adolescence is the developmental stage at which relations with a peer group and with close friends become primary concerns. In reviewing the assessment and treatment of adolescents with ADHD, I will emphasize interventions that help adolescents with ADHD from and maintain relationships with peers and with close friends.

SESSION 04

ADHD in adults

It is now known that ADHD can continue into the adult years. Research on ADHD is adulthood is, therefore, recent and quite limited. In this session, we will discuss what is known about the extent of adult ADHD. The options for assessment and treatment of adults will be discussed in a critical manner. In order to understand the current state of knowledge about adult ADHD, we will review the general criteria for deciding which psychological techniques are effective. 

SESSION 05

Gender and cultural differences

Boys and men are diagnosed with ADHD far more frequently than girls or women. This is sometimes attributed to the demands for attention of the educational system in most countries, which some critics see as incompatible with the basic make-up of boys. ADHD in girls may manifest itself with symptoms different from those of boys. Differences between the educational systems of different countries and differences in expectations for academic achievement may result in cultural differences, although most experts consider the disorder universal. There are, however, differences in the documented prevalence of ADHD in different ethnic groups within cultures; these have been studied mostly in the US. There are significant reasons for skepticism about cross-cultural research.

SESSION 06

Alternatives to pharmacological treatment

In this session, we will study several non-pharmacological interventions, including exercise, diet, yoga and meditation. We will also review false treatments that simply do not work. Opting for these treatments depends sharply on the beliefs, knowledge and values of the person receiving them. In the case of children, parents’ beliefs and values are important considerations. Participants who wish to will have the opportunity of sharing their own views and preferences.

THE INSTRUCTOR

Prof. Barry H. Schneider, Ph. D., C. Psych.

Dr. Barry H. Schneider is a psychologist and educator with a career focused on child and adolescent mental health. He earned his psychology degrees from SUNY Binghamton and the University of Toronto. He has held academic and clinical roles in Canada and abroad, including at the University of Oxford and Boston College. Now retired from full-time work, he continues to teach online and consult on research.

learn more about the instructor
DETAILS

UNDERSTANDING ADHD

A 6-week course for adult learners
Formerly taught at Carleton Lifelong Learning

Registration fee: $175
Full-time students: $100
Registration deadline: August 29, 2025
Questions? Please email admin@understanding-adhd.ca.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Hintonburg Community Centre

Thursdays 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm, starting September 4, 2025

Online

Thursdays, 9:30 am – 11:30 am, starting January 9, 2026

Understanding Depression and Anxiety

Watch for new course for Spring 2026

MAILING LIST

Join our mailing list for upcoming courses.

This field is required.
This field is required.

Scroll to Top