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Testimonial – John Campbell O’Brien
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Testimonial – John Campbell O’Brien

 

John Campbell O’Brien is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in ADHD working in CAMHS Dublin North City and County. He trained in the Parents Plus ADHD Programme in April 2024 and has successfully run a programme with parents with plans already in place for more. We asked John to share some of his experiences about the training and he shares some excellent advice on programme implementation and facilitation.

Training Experience and Group Facilitation

The training was well-received, my colleague and I  found it flexible, engaging, and informative. The breakout room exercises were particularly well-structured, providing an opportunity for participants to delve deeper into the content and prepare for their own group facilitation.

Group Implementation and Parent Feedback

The group sessions have been highly successful so far, with parents expressing significant positive changes in their understanding of ADHD and their ability to cope with their child’s challenges.

  • Before the course: Parents often felt isolated, overwhelmed, and uncertain about how to best support their child. Some were sceptical about the potential benefits of a parent group. 
  • After the course: Parents reported increased confidence, improved communication skills, and a stronger sense of community. They appreciated the neuro-affirmative approach and the opportunity to share experiences with other parents.

We were able to adapt the format to meet the specific needs of the parents attending our programme. While the core content was maintained, flexibility around the topics was essential to address emerging concerns and questions that came up in the group.

Professional Background and Funding

Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) in ADHD, are well placed to implement this programme within CAMHS, along with clinical nurse specialists and other multi-disciplinary professionals. In their specialist ADHD role, the ANPs deliver care from the point of referral and follow the child and family through their journey. Providing the Parents Plus ADHD programme to parents attending the ANP ADHD Pathway at an early stage can really strengthen parents’ neuro-affirming approach to managing  challenges and support them in building positive relationships with their children.

Securing funding for the training and programme implementation was challenging and I was happy to receive support from the RCSI Clinical Nursing Bursary Award for advanced nursing practice initiative.

Future Directions

The high demand for the programme highlights the need for continued investment in parent support services. The integration of the Parents Plus ADHD Programme into the ANP ADHD Pathway, along with the evolving role of ANPs, shows a growing recognition of the importance of early intervention and comprehensive care for ADHD. With a number of PP ADHD groups planned to run in 2025, the aim is to expand the programme across the wider community CAMHS teams in our area.

Key Takeaways:

  • Parent Support Programmes: The PP-ADHD programme is a valuable tool for empowering parents and improving outcomes for children with ADHD.
  • Neuro-Affirmative Approach: A compassionate and effective approach to understanding and supporting neurodivergent individuals.
  • Funding and Advocacy: Continued advocacy and funding are essential to ensure the sustainability of such programmes.

By sharing these insights, I hope to inspire and inform others who are working to improve the lives of children with ADHD.