Welcome to our August edition!

There is a lot happening in the neurodiversity community this month. We are excited to introduce our new AuDHD Centre, share practical ADHD strategies and resources, celebrate new ADHD-CEPP® graduates, and spotlight a local community helping neurodivergent adults connect. You will also find assessment updates, information about the Disability Tax Credit, upcoming webinars and events, and a few useful ideas to take with you along the way.

Introducing our New AuDHD Centre!

Be Among the First to Know About Our New AuDHD Centre.

As a valued member of our community, you are among the first to learn about our new AuDHD Centre.

ADHD and autism often overlap, yet many adults spend years trying to understand their experiences through only one lens. We created the AuDHD Centre to provide a more complete and compassionate approach for adults who identify with, suspect they may have, or have been diagnosed with both ADHD and autism.

Curious if this may be the assessment for you?



We offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation to help you explore whether an AuDHD assessment may be right for you. During this informal conversation, you can share your experiences, ask questions, and learn more about the assessment process. No questionnaire, payment, commitment, or obligation is required.

Why Did We Launch This?

Many adults with both ADHD and autistic traits receive support for one condition while the other remains unrecognized. This can leave important experiences unexplained and make it difficult to find support that reflects the whole person.

Our goal is to:

• Recognize how ADHD and autism can overlap and interact
• Provide adults with a welcoming space to discuss their experiences
• Offer a more complete approach to assessment and support
• Help individuals better understand their strengths, needs, and next steps

What can you expect?

You will start with a complimentary 30-minute video consultation. This is an informal conversation designed to help you:

• Share the experiences that led you to explore AuDHD
• Ask questions about ADHD, autism, and their overlap
• Learn more about the AuDHD assessment process
• Determine whether an assessment may be appropriate for you

You do not need a previous diagnosis or referral to schedule your consultation.

Take the First Step.

You deserve the opportunity to understand your experiences through a complete and compassionate lens. Schedule your complimentary consultation today to explore whether the AuDHD Centre may be right for you.

"LOL"

Andrea Dasilva, RCC, MEd, ADHD-CEPP®

Before being used as an abbreviation for “laughing out loud” or “lots of laughs,” LOL was used in the 1960s to refer to “little old ladies”! Today, LOL is used so often in our communication (in person and online) that it has been officially added to dictionaries of the English language! Given that the use of this acronym is so widespread, it seems reasonable to conclude that a lot of laughing, either out loud or silently, very frequently takes place. Funny enough, it so happens that a universal, hard-wired response for individuals of all cultures to stimuli (either internal or external) that incite certain rhythmic contractions of the diaphragm which are, in themselves, soothing and regulating.

What about in the neurodivergent community that is made up of so many differences and variations? Interestingly, many of the benefits of laughter apply across neurotypes! Emotion regulation, stress relief, the release of “happy hormones” (endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin) and the reduction of stress hormones really can be appreciated universally!

Just What the Doctor Ordered

The benefits of regular “doses” of the powerful medicine called laughter have been widely supported and advocated for in the medical field. Dr. Gurdeep Parhar considers laughter to be like a mini intervention: “… Controlled trials and meta-analyses show that laughter-based programs reduce depression and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and even lower stress hormones and blood pressure, so I often tell patients that prescribing a daily dose of shared laughter is as evidence-based as many other lifestyle medicines we recommend in clinic.”

More Bang for Your Buck

Though it may seem like such a simple and effortless activity, laughter is valuable in so many domains:

On the physical level, laughter releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers and can strengthen the functioning of the immune system, decrease muscle tension, and increase pain tolerance. In fact, laughter has been shown to have analgesic properties and reduces the stress hormone cortisol. Even just smiling has an effect on the mind and body: when the corners of the mouth are turned upward, the smile muscles in the face are “turned on.” When they are activated, a message goes out to the mind that “things must be at least okay – why else would there be a smile…?” As a result, mood can be boosted and stress/tension reduced!

Cognitively and emotionally, humour and laughter have the effect of breaking negative thought cycles, which could subsequently reduce feelings of sadness, anxiety, or frustration. Emotions and thoughts are so deeply interconnected that one helps to shape the other; when emotions become regulated, thoughts are also modified – they can be reframed and new perspectives can form.

LOL fosters good relationships and helps in social settings, as well. Sharing a good-natured laugh with someone is a powerful way of building a connection: it signals safety, mutual understanding, and sharing.

Build Us Up or Tear Us Down

When considering all of these benefits of laughter, it is important to make a critical distinction: laughing with others or oneself is not the same as laughing at others or oneself. Poking fun at someone or oneself with cruel intent is not the kind of humour referred to here; that kind of “humour” hurts more than it helps.

Adding humour and laughter to your daily life is intended to lighten up what would otherwise be dismal events and to broaden perspectives; misusing humour can deepen longstanding wounds or trigger painful emotions.

Turn that Frown Upside Down!



Sometimes, we simply do not feel like smiling—much less laughing. And that is okay. Life can get pretty tough now and again… While we have little to no control over when the storms in our lives roll in, what we do have influence over is what we choose to do with our bodies. Even when the smile muscles are not in use and the diaphragm is not in belly laugh mode, we can choose to flex those muscles. Nothing to laugh with? Nothing humorous in any way? Check out what happens when you choose to (even minimally) turn that frown upside down. 

LOL.

ADHD Care Built for Adults

Getting answers about ADHD should not feel out of reach.

The Adult ADHD Centre was created specifically to address the needs of adults seeking greater clarity about ADHD. For nearly a decade, the Centre has worked to make adult ADHD assessment, education and support more accessible to Canadians.

Through a convenient virtual assessment model available across Canada, adults can complete the assessment process from home and receive a detailed consultation report that includes diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and strategies or accommodations for work, school, and home.

But assessment is only part of the picture. The Adult ADHD Centre also provides education, resources, and skills-based support designed to help adults better understand ADHD and move forward with practical next steps.

Because understanding your ADHD can be the beginning—not the end—of the journey.

Making ADHD assessment more accessible.

The Adult ADHD Centre has introduced new lower pricing for private adult ADHD assessments across Canada.

Same comprehensive ADHD assessment. New lower price.

A Back-to-School Offer Just for Students

A new school year can be a fresh start—and a chance to better understand how your brain works. This back-to-school season, we are making ADHD assessment more accessible for eligible post-secondary students with a special $200 assessment rate.

*Offer begins August 15, 2026.

ONE-MINUTE ADHD STRATEGY

Small Step. Big Difference.

ADHD brains often struggle with the hardest part—getting started. Tasks can feel overwhelming, boring, or just... impossible to begin.

The good news? You do not need more motivation—you need a smarter first step. This simple 60-second strategy helps you bypass overwhelm, build momentum, and take back control—one tiny action at a time.

Print it, try it, and keep it handy for those moments when "I'll do it later" tries to take over.

ADULT AUTISM ASSESSMENTS

ADHD TRAINING ACADEMY:

Update

🎓 THE WAIT IS OVER: ADHD-CEPP® GRADUATES ARE HERE!

What began as a vision to transform ADHD knowledge into confident, practical support is now becoming a reality.

The ADHD Training Academy® is proud to celebrate a growing community of graduates who have successfully completed the program and earned their ADHD-CEPP® (ADHD-Certified Expert Practicing Professional) certification.

These graduates represent an exciting next chapter for the Academy. They have invested in expanding their understanding of ADHD and developing practical, evidence-informed knowledge they can bring into the work they do and the people they support.

From Knowledge to Real-World Impact

The ADHD Training Academy® was created to help professionals move beyond simply knowing about ADHD toward understanding how ADHD shows up in everyday life.

Through 12 flexible, self-paced online modules, learners explore ADHD across a range of important areas—the psychology and the science, diagnosis, medications, the women's journey, management strategies, sleep, finances, and more.

And now, graduates are putting that learning into practice.

Knowledge today. Better outcomes tomorrow.

Could ADHD-CEPP® Be Your Next Professional Credential?

Whether you work in healthcare, education, counselling, coaching, social services, human resources, or another field supporting people with ADHD, the ADHD-CEPP® program offers an opportunity to deepen your knowledge and build greater confidence in your work.



Join the growing community of ADHD-CEPP® graduates.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Community Spotlight: ADHD SOCIAL HUB

Sometimes the most meaningful support comes from simply being around people who get it.

This month, we are shining our Community Spotlight on the ADHD SOCIAL HUB, a welcoming Metro Vancouver community where adults with ADHD, AuDHD, and other neurodivergent people can connect, learn, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships.

Take a look below and discover a community built around connection, kindness, and belonging.

DISABILITY TAX CREDIT (DTC)

COULD YOU QUALIFY FOR THE DISABILITY TAX CREDIT (DTC)?

A diagnosis may be only part of the story.

The DTC is a federal non-refundable tax credit designed to help reduce the income tax that individuals with physical or mental impairments—or their supporting family members—may have to pay.

For people living with ADHD, autism, and other disabilities, eligibility is not determined by the diagnosis alone. What matters is how the impairment affects everyday functioning and whether CRA's eligibility criteria are met.

Why DTC approval can matter.

Approval may allow you to claim the disability amount on your tax return and, depending on your circumstances and period of eligibility, request adjustments for previous tax years. DTC eligibility can also provide access to other programs, including the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), Canada Disability Benefit, Canada Workers Benefit disability supplement, and Child Disability Benefit.

Navigating the application can feel complicated.

That's where Disability Team (and the Adult ADHD Centre) comes in.

Disability Team provides support related to disability programs, including the Disability Tax Credit, CPP Disability and Long-Term Disability. Their website specifically offers assistance for people who need medical support with disability applications.

WONDERING IF THE DTC MAY APPLY TO YOU?

Learn more about the Disability Tax Credit and how we can help.

B.E.S.T. MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

Ever had a thought that made you question yourself? What if it wasn't a reflection of who you are at all?

Join us for an eye-opening webinar as we explore the science behind intrusive thoughts in ADHD, why they happen, and practical strategies to reduce fear, guilt, and shame. Leave with a deeper understanding of your mind—and greater compassion for yourself. 



WEBINAR DETAILS:

Mon., August 17, 2026

4:00 p.m. PT | 7:00 p.m. EDT

Mental health conditions and physical health conditions may qualify for the Disability Tax Credit, but eligibility is often misunderstood.

Join us to learn more about which conditions may be considered, how eligibility is assessed, and what to know before applying.

WEBINAR DETAILS:

Tues., August 18, 2026

4:00 p.m. PT | 7:00 p.m. EDT

Mental wellbeing is about more than managing challenges—it's about helping autistic individuals thrive. Join us for an engaging webinar exploring the unique relationship between autism and mental health. Discover practical, evidence-based strategies to foster resilience, reduce stress, and support emotional wellbeing at every stage of life.



WEBINAR DETAILS:

Thurs., August 20, 2026

4:00 p.m. PT | 7:00 p.m. EDT

Join us for an inspiring webinar exploring the future of ADHD—where the latest research, emerging technologies, and personalized care come together to paint a hopeful picture of what's ahead. Whether you live with ADHD or support someone who does, you will leave with practical insights, renewed optimism, and a glimpse into what the next decade could bring.



WEBINAR DETAILS:

Mon., August 31, 2026

4:00 p.m. PT | 7:00 p.m. EDT

Early Bird Registration Ends August 15, 2026

Register for CADDAC’s 18th Annual ADHD Conference and choose the attendance option that works best for you.

Early bird registration options include:

• Day 1: Saturday, October 24, 2026
• Day 2: Sunday, October 25, 2026
• Full-weekend admission
• Student pricing starting at $113
• General admission options starting at $158

Registration includes applicable taxes, handouts, coffee and tea breaks, and lunch.

Join inspirational speakers, connect with the ADHD community and explore valuable resources throughout the weekend.

CADDAC’s 18th Annual ADHD Conference

Join CADDAC on October 24 and 25, 2026, for two days of ADHD education, meaningful conversations, and community connection at the Centennial College Event Centre in Scarborough, Ontario.

Featured speakers include:



• Dr. Kenny Handelman, Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist
• Dr. Joan Flood, Family Physician
• Dr. Doron Almagor, Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist

The conference is designed for adults with ADHD, families, caregivers, educators, and allied health professionals.

This is an in-person event.

Virtual and livestream registration will open on September 15, 2026.