Welcome to ADHD Support Australia

An online resource created by ADHD parent, Vivian Dunstan

 

Whether in Australia or globally, ADHD Support Australia strives to meet your needs as an ADHD parent/carer, adult, teen or professional.

 

We provide a nurturing and friendly online community and live expert speaker events where you can build your knowledge and learn how to manage ADHD.

 

Our Patreon membership allows you to catch up on past recordings, slides & handouts, and 10% off online parenting courses.

 

Our Online PEERS Social Skills for Teens or Young Adults provide an internationally recognised, evidenced-based 14-week program to teach social skills and social confidence.

 

Our popular online parenting course provides skills & strategies to empower you as a parent and an opportunity to share and discuss your experiences with others facing similar challenges.

 

Our comprehensive ADHD directory has links to practitioners, services, resources and products to support you on your journey.

 

Explore Our ADHD Directory

 

There are so many options to explore – every journey is unique but our community is non-judgmental.  Whatever combination of treatment modalities you decide on, we’re here to support you.

 

Since 2013, it has been my honour and pleasure to guide many families through what can be a stressful and chaotic journey, in a purposeful and supportive way.

 

Thank you for visiting, we’re sure you’ll find everything you need. 

Vivian Dunstan
Founder

 

Our ADHD Support Services

Resources

Resources

Our comprehensive directory of all things ADHD includes practitioners, services, products & resources.

READ MORE

Parenting

Parenting

Our 6-week online course 'Parenting Children with ADHD' provides greater parenting skills & confidence.

READ MORE

Learning

Learning

Monthly online expert speakers with cutting edge strategies for managing ADHD for parents, teens, adults & professionals. Past recordings are available to Patreon members.

READ MORE

Social Skills

Social Skills

Our 14-week online PEERS Social Skills program for Teens or Young Adults teaches social skills & confidence.

READ MORE

Community

Community

A supportive community of private Facebook groups including a book discussion group.

READ MORE

Check out upcoming events

Recent Blog Posts

Unlocking Social Success: 5 tips for helping your young person navigate the new school year

The beginning of a new school year should be a fresh start, full of opportunities for new friendships and experiences. […]

Read More
Boy lying face down on the floor while holding a gaming console and mom and dad pulling his leg

Online Gaming - Friend or Foe?

Understanding Your Young Person’s Obsession with Gaming   Does your young person retreat online to escape, spending hours staring at […]

Read More

ADHD and Dyslexia: Implications on School and Work Environments

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder that affects the brains ability to regulate attention and control impulses.  […]

Read More

Practical Tips to Support Teens with ADHD Embarking on Their Careers

How can you help your teenager navigate the career world, and handle employment if Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is […]

Read More

Read More

What People Are Saying

Frances Pellegrini

Mum

The community don’t know how lucky they are to have you! I really wish we lived closer so we could attend your amazing speaker evenings.

Sarah

Mum

I left the talk feeling energised and positive! It was good to feel that all of our hard work and patience was going to be rewarded and that good things are in our futures. I will keep an eye on your calendar for upcoming sessions.

Parent

Keep up the great work. Very impressive.

Sharyn Whitton

Owner / Newport Education Centre

Thanks for your fantastic efforts to educate our parents. It really does make a difference!

Pauline Allan

Mum

I learned so much last night and am looking forward to attending many more speaker evenings. Thank you for helping families of ADHD children, it would be so much harder without ADHD Support Australia. Very, very much appreciated.

Parent

This is an exceptionally well-run group. The speaker evenings are informative and we are always kept informed of what's on in the community.

Parent

Thanks for all the work that you do, I personally think it is amazing, and you have built up a fantastic resource for ADHD families.

Parent

YOU and the meetings have been the best support! I am indebted to you.

Parent

You’re doing an amazing job helping so many parents navigate the challenges of ADHD! Your efforts are really appreciated.

Julie

Learning Support Teacher

I wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed the speaker evenings over the years and how helpful the information has been for my teaching position and personal life. I am looking forward to attending many more sessions. The effort you put in to supporting parents and members of the community is amazing! It's so comprehensive and well-organised and I want to acknowledge that and thank you for it.

Hannah

Mum

Thank you for the talk on ADHD & Anxiety tonight, I went away feeling comforted to know that there are obviously so many other parents out there battling with the same issues that we deal with on a day-to-day basis and that we're not alone.

Nikki

ADHD Parent

When I didn’t know what to do next or where to go, I found you, your parenting course and speaker nights and I could relax knowing I was gaining the knowledge I needed to travel this unexpected road with my family. 100% open minded with regards to medication I have never felt any judgement only support and encouragement to keep trying. Meeting other parents who understand has been invaluable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Vivian.

Ross

School Counsellor

These talks are a great resource for all parents, even if your child does not have ADHD. The speakers are well selected, well informed and provide meaningful and practical recommendations for some challenging situations. I recommend the benefits of attending and joining this organisation to many parents I see.

Emma

Parent

I just wanted to say what a wonderful and informative talk it was last night from Helen Padarin, I thoroughly enjoyed it and could’ve listened to her share her knowledge and perspective for hours! Well done and thank you to all involved for making these speaker evenings possible.

Parent

Vivian Dunstan has done an extraordinary job establishing ADHD Support Australia. My journey would have been so different without all the information and support that Vivian has provided. We are very fortunate that professionals such as Ian Wallace are so generous with their time sharing their knowledge to help us understand more about our children.

Parent

Thank you for helping families of ADHD children, it would be so much harder without ADHD Support Australia. Very, very much appreciated.

Parent

You’re doing an amazing job helping so many parents navigate the challenges of ADHD! Your efforts are really appreciated!

Parent

I have found ADHD Support Australia so helpful. The parenting course, the speakers, the special events and the website have been great resources. It has also been wonderful to connect with other people in the ADHD community. Vivian is so knowledgeable and helpful and caring. I consider myself very fortunate to have found this group and that it is on the Northern Beaches!

Parent

The speaker evenings are invaluable. Sometimes you might only pick up one tip, other times a dozen new strategies. But I always come away knowing that I am not alone and wanting to rush home and hug my child!

Parent

If your child has ADHD you need to get along to these fab speaker evenings!

Parent & Teacher

The Ian Wallace talk was very informative for myself as a parent of an ADHD child and also being a teacher I was given some great strategies to use in the classroom.

Parent

I just wanted to say Thank You!! After attending one of your recent speaker sessions at Pittwater RSL, my daughter has had an assessment through the Child Development Clinic (Dr Yeoh/Jessica Staniland) and now has a formal diagnosis for her ADHD, ASD & Anxiety. It has taken many years to get to this point (and several countries) and we can't thank you enough for putting us in touch with the right people in our new country of residence. Keep up the good work - you are amazing and a valuable resource to local families. We are eternally grateful.

Parent

I would not have survived the last 5 years without your Support Group! You are very much appreciated!

Parent/Teacher

Both my sons have been diagnosed with ADHD, my oldest inattentive, youngest hyperactive/impulsive. I have found the work you do to be invaluable to me as a mum and teacher. Thank you so much.

Teacher

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to share and support families and educators in this field.

Parent

Our journey is still ongoing, but it's down to you providing information so families can access help and support that really makes a difference to so many lives.

Parent

I have found ADHD Support Australia so helpful. The parenting course, the speakers, the special events and the website have been great resources. It has also been wonderful to connect with other people in the ADHD community. Vivian is so knowledgeable and helpful and caring. I consider myself very fortunate to have found this group!

Parent

What a wonderful resource you have created for us parents who are trying to support our children! Thank you very much!!

Parent

Amazing. I’m so grateful as a parent

Parent Attendee - ADHD & Careers with Claire Pech

Excellent. Claire is a wonderful presenter and extremely knowledgeable. She presented as warm and approachable.

Parent Attendee - ADHD & Careers with Claire Pech

Fantastic - very positive and helpful. There are soo many opportunities out there for our kids. We just need to look outside the box and seek support. Thank you

Parent Attendee - ADHD & Careers with Claire Pech

Great! very helpful and lots of good tips and suggestions for when we are getting nowhere with discussions at home on post Year 12

Parent Attendee - ADHD & Careers with Claire Pech

Fantastic. Practical directions to discuss with my year 11 child. I always worry about what comes after school. Thank you for organising.

Attendee - ADHD & Relationships with Melissa Orlov

Loved it, my partner with ADHD listened in on the first hour which is a record. It really helped clarify where we need to put more effort in, but also was a nice reminder of how far we've come.

Attendee - ADHD & Relationships with Melissa Orlov

Fantastic. First time attending. I will sign up for membership and continue to watch these presentations.

Attendee - ADHD & Relationships with Melissa Orlov

I enjoyed it. A lot of great information. A lot of tough pills to swallow

Attendee - ADHD & Relationships with Melissa Orlov

It was excellent, so informative, relatable and well delivered. Thank you so much for this opportunity!

Attendee at Dr Ari Tuckman's talk on ADHD & Intimate Relationships

Great. An absolute revelation to hear myself described, I didn't realise I was such a cliche! Well worth taking an early lunch from work for.

Attendee at Dr Ari Tuckman's talk on ADHD & Intimate Relationships

Loved it. I found it validates steps that we are already taking, but also gave many discussion topics for my partner and I.

Attendee at Dr Ari Tuckman's talk on ADHD & Intimate Relationships

Absolutely fantastic, will be getting my partner to view it on Patreon, thanks!

Attendee at Dr Ari Tuckman's talk on ADHD & Intimate Relationships

Absolutely excellent talk - Ari Tuckman was very deeply informed on the topic, communicated succinctly & so helpfully. He has a genuine care for people. So great.

Attendee at Dr Ari Tuckman's talk on ADHD & Intimate Relationships

Great talk - good insights and some helpful ADHD Life strategies to make relationships better.

Attendee at Dr Russell Ramsay's talk on Procrastivity & ADHD

Amazing knowledge imparted. Affirming in a wonderful way - did not feel pathologizing.

Attendee at Dr Russell Ramsay's talk on Procrastivity & ADHD

It was well worth it and a very poignant topic for us as a household.

Attendee at Kirsty Wirth's talk on Gut Health

AMAZING this has opened up so so much hope for me and my family for a happier future for my son with ADHD ODD

Attendee at Kirsty Wirth's talk on Gut Health

Excellent and very clear, so much to take in ...thought Kirsty was very approachable and positive in her approach and very knowledgeable...liked the real life anecdotes...

Attendee at Kirsty Wirth's talk on Gut Health

Great -- very informative. Opened up a whole new world of microbiomes to investigate. My daughters and probably myself all have gut issues to investigate.

Attendee at Kirsty Wirth's talk on Gut Health

Very informative and I am more aware how gut health makes a significant difference

Attendee at Kirsty Wirth's talk on Gut Health

Great, so much to cover, it did feel like we'd scratched the surface. Well worth attending

Attendee at Dr Ned Hallowell's talk on ADHD Explained

Thank you so much for organizing. This was my first time, and I found it very valuable. The information was clear, and I loved that it was strength-based info rather than a deficit emphasis.

Attendee at Dr Ned Hallowell's talk on ADHD Explained

Brilliant. I could have sat and learned all day. Both wonderful speakers with so much knowledge I could hardly put my pen down to get down all the great quotes, references, and professionals' names.

Attendee at Dr Ned Hallowell's talk on ADHD Explained

Liked the focus on positive aspects of ADHD - very affirming. Also outsourcing and coaching for some of the organizational things we are not so good at. Great questions and responses.

Attendee at Dr Ned Hallowell's talk on ADHD Explained

Very informative, great speaker, first time I have heard ADHD spoken of positively.

Attendee at Dr Ned Hallowell's talk on ADHD Explained

Vivian's Q and A very informative. I knew that blue light is bad for sleep hygiene, but you explained why (as bright as midday sun). Lots of other very helpful explanations too!

Attendee at Dr Ned Hallowell's talk on ADHD Explained

It's so wonderful hearing from experts and getting to understand who I am better. I am learning so much, and it makes me feel much better about myself.

Attendee at Dr Ned Hallowell's talk on ADHD Explained

Informative. Covered lots of topics. Great ideas in the chat.

Attendee at Dr Dianne Grocott's talk on Helping Women with ADHD - Oct 2023

Really enjoyed. Great coverage of the medication and myths, and great to hear about the aspects of perimenopause and hormone effects.

Attendee at Dr Dianne Grocott's talk on Helping Women with ADHD - Oct 2023

The speaker was incredibly knowledgeable and delivered valuable and practical information.

Attendee at Dr Dianne Grocott's talk on Helping Women with ADHD - Oct 2023

She did cover excellent new topsoils that included hormones and different sides of medication. The library resource looks excellent

Attendee at Dr Dianne Grocott's talk on Helping Women with ADHD - Oct 2023

I thought it was excellent! I felt teary and validated at times!

Attendee at Dr Dianne Grocott's talk on Helping Women with ADHD - Oct 2023

Amazing! Dr Grocott is always warm and informative. We are lucky to get these opportunities to Listen to her speak.

Attendee at Dr Dianne Grocott's talk on Helping Women with ADHD - Oct 2023

Always excellent to hear that the stigma of ADHD is reducing. Even with doctors.

Attendee at Dr Dianne Grocott's talk on Helping Women with ADHD - Oct 2023

It was very engaging and informative. Dr Dianne Grocott did an amazing job. Thanks for organising this Vivian. It was an honour to be in your presence.

Attendee at Dr Dianne Grocott's talk on Helping Women with ADHD - Oct 2023

In 35 years as a clinical psychologist, probably the best I've ever heard!

Attendee at Dr Rosalba Courtney's talk on Healthy Breathing Healthy Child - Nov 2023

This talk was amazing. The presenter was very knowledgeable and the information was backed up with research! This has given me lots to consider in my clinical practice.

Attendee at Jamie Blume's talk on (IFS) Model to Help People with ADHD Thrive - January 2024

Excellent. Loved it all.

Attendee at Jamie Blume's talk on (IFS) Model to Help People with ADHD Thrive - January 2024

Informative and practical

Attendee at Jamie Blume's talk on (IFS) Model to Help People with ADHD Thrive - January 2024

I thought it was helpful, liked the strategies. Made me think about new approaches to issues.

Attendee at Jamie Blume's talk on (IFS) Model to Help People with ADHD Thrive - January 2024

Engaging and informative. Thank you.

Attendee at Jamie Blume's talk on (IFS) Model to Help People with ADHD Thrive - January 2024

Thanks Jamie - so much help - much appreciated your fulsome answer to my question about my young adult son

Attendee at Jamie Blume's talk on (IFS) Model to Help People with ADHD Thrive - January 2024

Thanks for a wonderful presentation and a fabulous response to my question. Thank you.

Attendee at Dr Terry Lims's talk on ADHD & Trauma - March 2024

Thank you so much for this evening’s talk. Well hosted and fascinating presentation.

Attendee at Dr Terry Lims's talk on ADHD & Trauma - March 2024

Dr Lim gave an amazing talk, and covered the topic well! Would love to join his talk again!

Attendee at Dr Terry Lim's talk on ADHD & Trauma - March 2024

Very interesting and well timed, as I've only recently started to link the childhood trauma of my adopted ADHD son to his ADHD symptoms.

Attendee at Dr Terry Lim's talk on ADHD & Trauma - March 2024

Great talk, lots of examples to back up clinical knowledge

Attendee at Dr Terry Lim's talk on ADHD & Trauma - March 2024

Very informative and interesting. I liked that Dr. Terry provided case studies and that he provided his honest clinical opinions, followed by his reasoning behind them.

Attendee at Dr Terry Lim's talk on ADHD & Trauma - March 2024

Fantastic. Lovely to see a young psychiatrist with a very client-centered outlook and a non-rigid one also. Thank you.

Attendee at Dr Terry Lim's talk on ADHD & Trauma - March 2024

Great insights into ADHD and Trauma by Dr. Lim, really enjoyed that he made it simple to understand and follow, especially the window of regulation

Attendee at Dr Terry Lim's talk on ADHD & Trauma - March 2024

Brilliant. Terry was amazing. Would love to hear from him again soon.

Attendee at Dr Terry Lim's talk on ADHD & Trauma - March 2024

Very insightful and was very informative in a positive way. I love the way he and his clinic works with the patients to find the causes and deal with what is a major issue for them.