Geelong mum and child behaviour specialist to hold ADHD conference after diagnosis

Chrissie Davies was diagnosed with ADHD after her two kids. Now the child behaviour specialist is hosting a conference about the condition in Geelong.

Behaviour specialist Chrissie Davies and her children have ADHD. Picture: Brad Fleet

Chrissie Davies spent many years helping kids with ADHD before she was diagnosed with the condition herself.

Ms Davies began to identify her own symptoms as she went through the process of her son, aged eight, and then daughter, 10, being diagnosed.

The 50-year-old child behaviour specialist, who lives in the Geelong region, found herself particularly relating to the way her daughter’s ADHD presented.

“The most ironic part about this story is my children are adopted,” Ms Davies said.

Ms Davies was diagnosed with ADHD last year, meaning she and both her kids were all told they had it within three years.

With new-found self-awareness, Ms Davies realised she’d often missed the last step in processes.

“I’ll put all the credit card details in for example when online shopping and then I just don’t hit the last button,” she said.

“I can self-talk my self through those things now and cross check.

“That’s how the diagnosis has really helped me.

“I can ask for help with the final step, which is game changing.”

Last year, the Addy reported Geelong health services were seeing more people seeking ADHD assessments.

Ms Davies said ADHD was a difference rather than a disorder.

“There’s nothing wrong with us, we just think differently,” she said.

“That’s really beautiful and unique.

“Living with ADHD means your life constantly fluctuates, it’s filled with highs and lows.

“It’s about learning to live with that and not aspiring to have this perfect life.”

Her business, Chaos to Calm Consultancy, is hosting the Therapeutic ADHD Conference Geelong at the President’s Room at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, February 17.

The conference is for adults, and its target audience includes parents of kids with ADHD, and people working with kids in health and education settings.

“I want it to be a real celebration of the ADHD neurotype,” Ms Davies said.

“It’s created specifically to meet the ADHD learning style, it has short sharp presentations, there will lots of music and movement.”

The majority of speakers at the conference will be people with ADHD, and all presenters work with young people and families.

Ms Davies will be the MC.

Visit www.chaostocalmconsultancy.com/adhdconferencegeelong to purchase tickets.

Originally published as Geelong mum and child behaviour specialist to hold ADHD conference after diagnosis