A tale of two disorders: ADHD and ASD

A TALE OF TWO DISORDERS: ADHD AND ASD

Affiliate and Emeritus Professor André Venter, neurodevelopmental paediatrician, University of the Free State

Thursday 18–Friday 19 January  3.00 pm  COURSE FEES R220; Staff and students R110 T

In the field of developmental paediatrics, the two disorders that have really taken the world by storm, much to the dismay of many academics and concerned citizens alike, are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Unfortunately, over the decades so much misinformation has been distributed about ADHD that many are sceptic about its existence and even more about the medical management. This lecture will endeavour to provide some of the science in this field and try to differentiate the myths from the truths. Lastly, there will be a brief reference to the medical management of this condition and also the evidence for the use of non-medical treatments.

On the other hand, people living with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum are often misunderstood. The second lecture will explain the current thinking behind causes, symptoms and what it is like to live with this diagnosis. Having touched on the political rhetoric that has emerged in this field, in conclusion the evidence base for medical and non-medical treatment of this condition will be explored.

Lecture titles

ADHD: truths and myths
Living on the autism spectrum: old truths, new insights

Suggested reading

Faraone, S.V., Banaschewski T., Coghill D., Zheng Y., Biederman J., et al. 2021. The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder. Neuroscience and Biobehavioural Reviews. doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.022.

Hyman, S.L. and Levy, S.M. AAP Council on Children with Disabilities, Section on Development and Behavioral Paediatrics. 2020. Identification, Evaluation and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. American Academy of Paediatrics. 145(1):e20193447.

Lord, C., Brugha,T.S., Charman, T., Cusach, J., Dumas, G., Frazier, T., Jones, E.H., Jones, R.M., Pickles, A., State, M.W., Taylor, J.L. and Veenstra-VenderWeele J. 2020. Autism Spectrum Disorder. Nature Reviews/ Disease primers Article: citation ID: 2020. 6.5.

Participants can earn CPD points for this course.

TO BOOK:

https://www.webtickets.co.za/performance.aspx?itemid=1534476578

Prof Andrè Venter was the Academic Head of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of the Free State for more than 20 years. He has recently retired but remains an emeritus professor at the UFS and is still in private practice. He is a Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician with a passion for children with developmental delays and other handicaps. Prof Venter is fascinated by the way the brain works and the factors that influence how we learn, think and concentrate. Prof Venter enjoys teaching, making complex neurological concepts easy for undergraduate and postgraduate students. He is the founder, chairman and immediate past president of the Paediatric Association for Neurology and Development in South Africa (PANDA SA). He was also the founder president of the African Neurology and Developmental Association (ACNA). He received a lifetime award for teaching Paediatric Neurology in 2012 and a Panda SA lifetime achievement award for his contribution to Neurosciences in South Africa.