ADHD through our eyes: Youth Perspectives

#Talkingthursdays, our speakers are

1.Xandria Levy is a neurodivergent PhD student, studying the connection between neurodiversity and substance use in university students. Alongside this, she also works as a Specialist Mentor for students with neurodivergent or mental health conditions, and recently co-authored a paper exploring autistic people’s experiences of camouflaging across different social contexts. 

We are thrilled to have CADDAC representatives join our campaigning for 'Many Faces of ADHD'

2.  Annie Desrochers (Senior Program Manager at Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada, CADDAC

Annie is CADDAC’s bilingual Senior Program Manager.  In this role she works with the team of Facilitators, Coaches and Psychologists to create and offer CADDAC’s Peer-facilitated Support Groups, Coaching programs and Psychoeducational (parenting, adult and youth) programs. As a mother of four young adults, all with some degree of ADHD and co-existing disorders, and having received a late diagnosis herself, she brings deep personal insight to her work.  Annie also has 32 years of experience as a Registered Early Childhood Educator and 6 years as college instructor.


3. Aaron Bailey is a certified ADHD Life Coach with advanced training from the ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA), and he holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). He also has a diploma in Child and Youth Services and Bachelor of Human Services. Aaron has worked for over a decade with youth with various disabilities ranging from ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), learning disabilities (LDs), anxiety disorders, mental health challenges, as well as youth struggling with trauma.
Aaron has a wide range of work experience. From helping youth with ADHD and LDs transition from elementary to secondary school, as well as secondary to post-secondary at Queen’s University at the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC). To working as an educational assistant (EA) in the remote Yukon community of Old Crow, home to the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation. To working as an EA in Whitehorse, focusing on trauma-centered approaches.
Aaron is dedicated to helping youth overcome the stigma, shame, guilt, and embarrassment that is often associated with ADHD. His passion for working with youth comes from his own experience as a person with ADHD, LDs, General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and depression. He understands what it’s like growing up and not understanding what is going on in your own mind and wants to work with people with ADHD to not just survive with their ADHD, but to thrive!

4. Tiffany Theofilos is a certified Personal and Professional Coach (PPCC) from the JMEC Institute with an Advanced Coach Training specialization in ADHD coaching from ADDCA. She has over a decade of experience working with neurodiverse learners as an educator at various levels, from preschool to adulthood. Tiffany is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who wears many hats as a coach, teacher, mentor, facilitator, consultant, and peer supporter. She considers herself forever a student of life.

Her mission is to help teens and adults with ADHD understand, accept, and work with their brains rather than against them, empowering them to build lasting and meaningful change in their personal, academic, and professional lives. Tiffany partners with driven professionals, creatives, students, and entrepreneurs to uncover their strengths, co-create systems and strategies that work for their unique brains, and overcome challenges to thrive.

Her ultimate goal is to inspire, empower, and transform individuals with ADHD to lead more fulfilling lives, one brain at a time

The panel webinar is facilitated
by Chantel Fouche (Volunteer at ADHD Europe)

Chantel has ADHD and is a mother/carer of an adult son who lives with ADHD (diagnosed at age 7) as well as having a young toddler. Served on the board of Neurodiversity Belgium and at European level with ADHD Europe (2018-2024). Now recently elected on the board of EFNA (European Federation of Neurological Associations) . Her passion lies in – supporting people living with various brain health conditions, disabilities & ADHD. Being the patient’s voice to reduce the stigma and discrimination that exists today. To create & sustain networks to raise more awareness around the globe. Communicating evidence-based information from collaboration on research consortium projects. Attending high-level meetings with European stakeholders to engage in fruitful conversations. Advocating for the work that needs to be done with the aim of a better quality of life for people. Mobilising countries with best practices for better access to diagnosis/treatment of ADHD.

Empowering women and their families on the ADHD Women Project adhd-women.eu
Creating global awareness of ADHD for all genders adhdawarenessmonth.org
Advocating for the rights of people living with ADHD adhdeurope.eu