Dr Daryl Efron is on a mission to break down any stigma associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

 And an upcoming function in Warrnambool will be part of the process as he aims to help people to better understand that ADHD is a genuine development difficulty and that most young people with the disorder eventually lead successful lives.

 Dr Efron, who will speak on ADHD and related problems, assessment, treatment and outcomes at a Community Southwest seminar in Warrnambool on March 2, said the more people understand about ADHD the better the outcomes are for young people.

 “If people see it from a disability perspective rather than from a judgmental perspective and better understand the disorder then we are more likely to be able to support the young person,” he said.

 “It is often hard for adults to understand but the tide is turning.” 

Dr Efron said while ADHD and associated disorders were now more widely diagnosed, this did not mean they were more widespread.

 “In years gone by they would be called disruptive, naughty or viewed as morally troublesome. These days people realise they have a difficulty and say we need to help. There is proper assessment and support. Medication is still the most effective treatment but support from family, friends and school is also essential. ”

 However, despite good intentions, Dr Efron said not all schools were well equipped to handle children with ADHD. “It is difficult to provide optimal care and the results at the moment are variable. Ideally you would have an extra adult in the room to help the student stay calm and organised but that is not always possible due to finances.”

 About 80 per cent of the young people with ADHD have a co-morbid illness such as anxiety, depression or learning difficulties and about half carry their symptoms into adult life.

 “The good news is that with support most kids with ADHD ultimately do well but their younger years can be tough,” he said. “They are at risk of anti-social behavior and dropping out of school but with proper care and support they can usually get through.”

 Dr Efron is a developmental-behavioural paediatrician at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Senior Lecturer University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics, and Honorary Research Fellow at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

 Dr Efron has a long-standing clinical and research interest in ADHD and is Head of the ADHD Assessment Clinic at the Royal Children’s Hospital. He was a member of the reference committee for the revised NHMRC Guidelines on ADHD. His main current research focuses on mapping developmental trajectories of children with ADHD, and identifying modifiable predictors. He is also researching sleep problems in children with ADHD.

He is one of three guest speakers at Community Southwest’s autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD seminars. Dr Efron’s presentation will be at Southern Way, 181 Fairy Street, Warrnambool from 1.30-3.30pm on March 2.

 As part of the same program clinical psychologist Astra King will deliver a session on managing difficult behaviour and Fragile X and Professor Tony Atwood will conduct a seminar on cognitive affective training.

 The seminars will be open to the general public and medical practitioners and further information and registration details are available for CSW’s website http://www.communitysouthwest.com/events-a-conferences

The seminars will be held in the lead up to CSW’s biennial conference in Warrnambool on April 20.

Community Southwest is a coalition of 14 not-for-profit organisations in south west Victoria

Enquiries: Allan Bassett, Executive Officer, Community Southwest Ltd

Tel. 55591032 Mobile, 0429 614131, email. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it