The ADHDe Project Key Definition Sheet

To help the team throughout the development process of The ADHDe Project, this Key Definition Sheet was prepared by Nadia Gill, Rame Marie, and Erin Plumb, and was approved by members of the 2022 Advisory Committee. This resource includes important terminology and outlines key definitions that have been dictated to reflect the views of The ADHDe Project.

ADHD: Stands for Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. The three core symptoms of ADHD are: inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. ADHD presents in three different ways: inattentive type, hyperactive type, and combined type.

ADHD Awareness: ADHD Awareness is a concept that embodies the movement for respect of people with ADHD. ADHD Awareness is the action of educating society about ADHD and dispelling the stigma/stereotypes associated with it.

Accessibility: The reduction or removal of barriers.

Accessibility Barrier: An accessibility barrier is an obstacle or hurdle that prevents a person with a disability from participating in all aspects of society. There are five types of accessibility barriers: physical/architectural, informational/communicational, technological, attitudinal, and organizational.

Accommodations: Resources, supports, tools and practices put into place to address or remove accessibility barriers.

Attitudinal Barrier: A type of accessibility barrier. It addresses how society feels about people with disabilities.

Disability: Personal experience of barriers to participation in all aspects of society.

Education: Promoting individual creativity, encouraging independence, and fostering collective and independent learning to expand our knowledge base.

Empowerment: Providing people with ADHD the support they need to self advocate. Encouraging people with disabilities to be in control of their lives as much as they can.

Equity: Everyone receives what they need in order to succeed. This includes accommodations, support, patience, and care.

Inclusive Environment: A place where everyone receives what they need in order to be successful.

Neurodiversity: This refers to a group filled with diverse members. The implication is that there is no normal except diversity.

Neurodiverse: Refers to a group of people who are neurologically diverse. This can include people with ADHD and people without ADHD. Example: “They are a neurodiverse family. There are two children and a parent who have ADHD, and one child and one parent who do not have ADHD”.

Person first language: Person first language puts the individual before their disability. Example: Person with a disability, rather than disabled person.

Person with Lived Experience: A person with lived experience refers to a person who is either currently living with a disability or has lived with a disability in the past.

Post-Secondary Community: All those who are involved in or benefit from University of Windsor services and resources.

Self advocacy: The ability to speak up for yourself and to advocate for your rights.