ADHD Workshops

In 2023, the Mt Burdett Foundation proudly supported a powerful community education initiative, a series of ADHD workshops facilitated by Escare Incorporated. The workshops were designed to increase awareness, build understanding and foster practical support strategies for families, educators and community members living with or supporting people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These workshops were followed up with a second series in March 2024. 

In November 2023 ADHD WA and Escare provided three workshops - parents, service providers and teachers, and two consultations - Aboriginal and First Nations people and a general consultation. In excess of 70 people attended these workshops and consultations that aimed to gather feedback on community needs. 

In March 2024 a second round with four different workshops were facilitated by Escare, this included First Nations people, parents, a general workshop and a workshop for teachers. This series of workshops reached approximately 120 people. 

The idea for the workshops emerged from a clear and growing need within the Esperance community for greater ADHD awareness and support. With ADHD diagnoses on the rise and access to professional support limited in rural areas, families, carers, teachers, and support workers have been seeking practical tools and shared understanding to navigate the challenges of ADHD.

The sessions were designed to equip attendees with:

• A deeper understanding of ADHD across all ages

• Strategies to support emotional regulation

• Tools for building connection and positive communication

• Insights into executive functioning challenges

• Practical, strength-based approaches to support

  
  

The ADHD workshops were not only a milestone in community education, they also strengthened important partnerships and highlighted opportunities for greater inclusion and support in regional settings. 

A powerful piece of feedback came from local educators, who described the workshops as the best professional development they had ever received on the topic of ADHD. The sessions offered practical, evidence-based strategies that teachers could immediately apply in their classrooms, enhancing their ability to support neurodiverse students. 

Escare also made a conscious effort to engage First Nations partners and workers, ensuring cultural inclusivity and accessibility. Following the initial consultations, First Nations voices were successfully included in the workshop space, leading to the creation of targeted resources informed by community feedback. There are now ongoing discussions about developing ADHD resources specifically for Aboriginal families in the future, an important and exciting step forward. 

The event also deepened collaboration with ADHD WA, with staff gaining valuable firsthand insight into the unique challenges faced by regional communities. While the creation of a formal local support group didn’t gain immediate traction, the need for long-term, culturally relevant support remains a clear focus area. As one organiser noted, many families are still navigating a lack of accessible services, and group-based solutions may not be ideal for everyone.

“There’s still so much to be done — but this was a huge step forward for many families in Esperance. It brought people together, opened conversations, and gave parents and professionals tools they didn’t have before.”

To learn more about how the Mt Burdett Foundation supports meaningful, community-led initiatives in regional WA, visit: mtburdettfoundation.org.au