CHADD kicks off ADHD Awareness Month with celebrities, social media campaign

LANDOVER, Md., Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- You're aware of ADHD, but do you really understand it? October is National ADHD Awareness Month and CHADD, the largest family-based ADHD organization in the United States, wants you to have the facts about this common disorder.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, commonly called ADHD, affects about 15 million children and adults across the United States. CHADD, working with the ADHD Awareness Coalition (www.adhdawarenessmonth.org), is launching a media campaign to share the facts of this disorder and the faces of real people who daily cope with the symptoms of ADHD while building successful lives.

One of the many adults affected by ADHD is Lifetime TV's Army Wives star Wendy Davis, who is working with CHADD to get information on ADHD to the public. "ADHD makes me different, not defective," she has said, crediting those differences in directing her into a successful acting career.

Race car driver Luca Forgeois knows the need for speed – and the need for focus when flying down the racetrack. Diagnosed with ADHD, Forgeois knows the need for information on effective treatment for the disorder and how treatment improves people's lives.

"Throughout my early life and education, dealing with ADHD was a struggle," he said, "to be unable to comprehend things and develop skills the same way as the majority of kids was difficult and frustrating at times. But this struggle encouraged me to adapt in many positive ways, and most importantly, made me more resilient in life."

In addition to Davis and Forgeois, CHADD is partnering with Ty Pennington of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, triathlete Max Fennell, and junior golf player Sean Murray to lead a mentoring campaign with CHADD for individuals affected by ADHD. None of them has let ADHD stop them from reaching their goals in life.

As part of ADHD Awareness Month this October, CHADD is hosting a radio tour with celebrities and experts in the fields of ADHD, a social media campaign to promote awareness of ADHD and not just living with the symptoms of ADHD but becoming successful in live.

Many of CHADD's 12,000 members will be tweeting, posting to Facebook, and sharing their experiences with ADHD on Instagram and Pinterest, and discussing how people can learn more about the disorder and options for treatment.

Interested in learning more? Visit CHADD's ADHD Awareness Month website, https://www.chadd.org/Support/ADHD-Awareness-Month/Organize-an-Event.aspx.

Become informed – help improve the lives of people affected by ADHD.

Founded in 1987, CHADD has more than 12,000 members and 160 affiliates nationwide and is the nation's leading advocacy organization serving families and individuals affected by ADHD. CHADD makes a difference in the lives of people affected by ADHD through collaborative leadership, advocacy, research, education, and support. To join CHADD today, visit us online at www.CHADD.org.

SOURCE CHADD