E11: Advocating for Children with ADHD in Ontario Schools: Insights from Heidi Bernhardt

Today we make VISIBLE the systemic challenges our kids with ADHD have to face in the public and Catholic school systems in Ontario. I'm talking to Heidi Bernhardt, Director of Education and Advocacy for CADDAC, who has been fighting the good fight for over 30 years on behalf of Ontario parents. Heidi gives us the insider scoop on a few major issues and helps us understand how we parents in Ontario can make our voices heard to our elected officials this Spring. 

We cover:

• Why did Ontario’s Ministry of Education get an “Unsatisfactory/Fail” on its performance for children with ADHD? (Ouch!)
• What will make the biggest difference for kids with ADHD in Ontario schools?
• What should parents and ADHD advocates ask their local MPs in the upcoming Ontario election campaigns?

Over the past 30 years, Heidi Bernhardt has helped raise awareness and understanding of ADHD among parents, those with ADHD, educators, health care professionals, industry leaders, government officials and the public through presentations, conferences, media interviews, and advocacy work. Heidi Bernhardt, is a psychiatric nurse by training, mother of three grown sons with ADHD and the founder of the Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada (CADDAC), a Canadian charity dedicated to awareness, education, and advocacy for ADHD. Heidi currently focuses on  ADHD education material and systemic advocacy while holding the role of Director of Education and Advocacy for CADDAC. She also continues to teach and present on ADHD for CADDAC.

Find Heidi: CADDAC | Heidi’s bio and the CADDAC origin story 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The 2022 CADDAC Ontario Election Toolkit
• Read that report card: 2021 Report Card: ADHD in the School System
• Read: CADDAC’s policy paper, Understanding ADHD as a Disability in the Post-Secondary Environment
• Use coupon CCPODCAST to get 15% off DIY*ADHD
• Tips for Early Childhood Educators and Parents and Strategies for the Classroom

Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website | Meet the Team | DIY*ADHD course | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina is not your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted in the Show info and episode notes on the main podcast webpage.