C-229 – The National Framework on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Act – creates a national framework for helping people with ADHD.
Heather sponsored this one last session as C-329, but it never got to its Second Reading before the election hit. Nothing has changed in this new version.
This framework will be made by the Minister of Health and as usual requires consultations with the other levels of government and relevant stakeholders. It will need to include measures to:
- Develop resources to help people with ADHD and their families better understand it
- Ensure educators are equipped with the knowledge and resources to support students with ADHD
- Improve training for medical and mental health practitioners on ADHD
- Ensure that medical and mental health practitioners have access to training on evidence-based approaches to assess and treat ADHD
- Ensure equitable access for people with ADHD and their families to the professionals that have received this training
The Minister will have two years to prepare a report that outlines the framework, and it’ll be reviewed after five years.
Progress of C-229
C-229 is currently outside of the Order of Precedence.
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I finally got diagnosed at 36 years old, and it took a significant mental health episode for someone to put the pieces together, identify it, and advocate for me.
It took a lifetime of being called lazy, unmotivated, or even a suspected addict by a school guidance counselor (I was not). My Canadian Test of Basic Skills results suggested I was highly intelligent, but my grades did not reflect that reality due to missed assignments and the shame of continuously missing deadlines.
Once the pieces fit together and I started taking the medication, I was both excited that I could finally begin to realize my potential and get out of my own way, but it also came with a great sense of loss; I lost out on years of professional, emotional, and intellectual growth that I can never get back, and it comes with a profound sadness I cannot seem to shake no matter how optimistic I am about the future.
This type of legislation can ensure people like myself get their ADHD recognized, treated, and controlled long before it has a chance to define the person, as it has for me.
I now have a daughter, and it really puts these types of measures into perspective. This is a societal need, I really hope this gets the national attention it deserves.
Definitely needed, super happy to see this.