Online Courses for ADHD Management: Improve Your Skills

Not having enough resources can make it difficult for people to find the right tools to deal with ADHD management. Online courses provide valuable, proven strategies and are flexible and convenient.

In this article, you’ll learn about the different online ADHD courses to understand ADHD and its management. There are various courses available for different target audiences, such as parents, professionals, and individuals with ADHD. These resources are great for helping learners develop essential skills and a better understanding of ADHD.

Features of Online ADHD Courses

Taking ADHD courses online offers the following features:

Self-Paced Learning

Most online ADHD courses allow their students to learn at their own pace. This setup makes it convenient for individuals, parents, and professionals to fit the lessons into their schedules without the pressure of deadlines.

Certificate of Completion

Many ADHD courses provide a certificate upon completion. Certificates can be valuable credentials for educators, caregivers, or professionals looking to enhance their expertise or demonstrate their knowledge of ADHD.

Individuals who stay up to date on developing trends and technologies on ADHD can integrate new methods and processes into their daily activities.

Accessibility

Source: Keystone Education Group

Online ADHD courses are accessible from anywhere, making them a practical option for learners who cannot attend in-person classes.

Comprehensive Content

These courses cover a wide range of topics, including ADHD diagnosis, treatment options, parenting strategies, educational interventions, and coping mechanisms for different age groups. Online ADHD courses cater to different target audiences, such as:

• Professionals
• Educators
• Parents of children with ADHD
• Individuals with ADHD

Benefits of Taking Online ADHD Courses

Online courses on ADHD offer a convenient and effective way to learn about ADHD management, whether for personal growth or professional advancement.

For Professionals

A study aiming to understand the effectiveness of an online psychoeducation program for general practitioners (GPs) found that GPs experienced the following after the intervention:

• Growing knowledge of ADHD
• Reduction in misconceptions
• Shifts in attitude and practice regarding ADHD
• High levels of acceptability

Based on these study results, providing ADHD courses for professionals could help gain their awareness and improve access to care for patients with ADHD.

For Parents

Parents of children with ADHD shared the following testimonials after taking an online course on ADHD:

• “This course opened the door to many resources. Now we understand what's wrong, and we know how to deal with it. This course is a lifesaver, and our family’s quality of life has improved tremendously with this course.” - Angela Commack, NY
• “Our daughter's brain functions differently—it's not an attitude problem. She learns differently. This course was so helpful! Thank you so much for opening our eyes and instructing us!” - Ann Farmington, UT

For Adults with ADHD

After completing an online course on ADHD, adults with the disorder provided the following feedback:

• “So much information in one place for adults with ADHD.” - Winnie Ladd
• “Good in comprehensive coverage and providing explicit examples of strategies.” - Mary Solanto
• “Excellent general overview of Adult ADHD.” - Meghan Sundquist

ADHD Courses for Professionals

This section lists the best ADHD courses online for professionals to learn more about ADHD.

Source: FutureLearn

Understanding ADHD: Current Research and Practice is developed by King’s College London, one of the world’s top research and teaching universities. The expected duration of this course is 4 weeks with 2 hours of weekly study.

By the end of the course, learners should be able to:

• Discuss the prevalence of ADHD and its effects on individuals
• Discuss ADHD and its differences from normal behavior
• Evaluate and assess essential factors on how ADHD is conceptualized
• Discuss the main challenges experienced by individuals with ADHD, their families, and professionals
• Talk about broader topics related to ADHD
• Understand the challenges and experiences faced by individuals with ADHD
• Outline the principles, diagnostic tools, and techniques used to identify ADHD and the factors that influence diagnostic accuracy
• Differentiate ADHD from other neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and mental health conditions
• Analyze evidence on environmental risk factors, genetic predispositions, and neurological mechanisms underlying ADHD
• Examine current research supporting treatments for ADHD management
• Assess the functionality and limitations of medical and psychosocial approaches to ADHD treatment
• Explore strategies that enhance educational achievements and personal development for those with ADHD
• Identify key resources and support systems available to help individuals with ADHD and their families
• Review the biological and environmental factors that contribute to the development of ADHD

Course Topics

For $39.99, the course covers the following topics:

• Definition of ADHD
• Recent research on ADHD mechanisms, symptoms, and impairments
• ADHD as a developmental disorder across different ages
• Influence of genes and environment on ADHD
• Current methods for ADHD screening and assessment in children
• Research on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD
• Best practices for ADHD treatment
• Effectiveness of psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for ADHD

Pros

• The course is accredited by the CPD Certification Service.
• A digital certificate is provided for those who finish and meet the course requirements.
• The course received an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 from students.
• Learners said that the course had engaging presentations and varied content formats.

Cons

• According to learner feedback, the course is content-heavy with excessive text and technical terms.
• The format of the course content needs to be more user-friendly.
• The free version of the course does not include a certificate.
• The course focuses too much on the definition of ADHD, not on current research and practice.

Source: Coursera

This free online ADHD certificate course by the University at Buffalo has the following learning objectives:

• Figure out the main problems that affect how youth with ADHD function, the symptoms they show, and how to make the correct diagnosis
• Create a plan to help students with ADHD in school
• Use effective parenting and teaching methods to help kids with ADHD in different settings (at home, in school, and the community)

The expected duration of the course is 8 hours, and individuals do not need prior experience to enroll.

Course Topics

ADHD: Everyday Strategies for Elementary Students has 4 modules:

• Module 1: What is ADHD?
• Module 2: Methods of Assessment for Screening
• Module 3: School-Based Treatment Approaches And The Daily Report Card (DRC)
• Module 4: Parenting Strategies

Pros

• The course received an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 from students.
• Learners expressed that the daily report card and behavior contracts were helpful tools discussed in the course.
• Learners found the course accessible and easy to follow, with practical and hands-on strategies.
• The course is available in 22 different languages.
• Learners can avail of a certificate after finishing the course.

Cons

• According to learner feedback, the symptoms and diagnoses discussed in modules were outdated.
• Students found the course too basic and short.
• An additional payment of $49 is needed to obtain a certificate.

ADHD Courses Online For Parents

This section shows two options for online ADHD courses for parents: Parent to Parent: Introduction to ADHD by CHADD and Creating Calm: ADHD Support At Home by The Childhood Collective.

Source: CHADD

Parent to Parent: Introduction to ADHD is developed by CHADD. This free online ADHD course with a certificate is made by parents for parents, giving valuable information from their perspective.

This course is expected to:

• Give parents a clear idea of ADHD
• Tips and strategies to improve life at school and home

Course Topics

The course topics are as follows:

• Introduction
• Session 1: What is ADHD?
• Session 2: Executive Functions of the Brain
• Session 3: Factors to Think About
• Session 4: The Diagnosing of ADHD
• Session 5: When ADHD is Not Alone
• Session 6: What Everyone Should Know About ADHD
• Course Wrap-Up

Pros

• Learners can download the resources provided in the course.
• According to learner feedback, the course is well-structured, and the videos provided make understanding of ADHD better.
• Enrollment in the course is free.
• A certificate is provided upon completion of the course.

Cons

• The course can be further improved by making the content accessible in different languages.
• According to learner feedback, some information provided in the course may be easily found by anyone researching ADHD.

Source: The Childhood Collective

Creating Calm is a science-backed, video-based course developed by The Childhood Collective. The course aims to teach simple strategies to help parents build confidence in parenting children with ADHD.

This course is intended for parents of children aged from 4 to 12 who think their child may have ADHD or have already received an ADHD diagnosis.

By the end of the course, parents can:

• Understand their children further and how to help
• Learn strategies and tools to help their children cope
• Handle challenging behaviors
• Create healthy boundaries while gaining confidence in raising their children

Course Topics

For $99, the course provides six modules in a video series that parents can watch at their own pace. The estimated duration of the course is 5 hours. The modules are as follows:

• Module 1: Understanding ADHD
• Module 2: Building Connection
• Module 3: Executive Function
• Module 4: Creating Routines
• Module 5: The ABC’s of Behavior
• Module 6: Managing Big Emotions

Pros

• The course has a PDF workbook and printable materials such as checklists, schedules, and tools.
• The Childhood Collective can provide general support if learners have questions or need clarification while taking the course.
• Upon purchase, learners will have unlimited access to the course.
• The course has a closed-captioning function for easier accessibility.

Cons

• The course does not provide a certificate upon completion.
• The course has a higher price point compared to other ADHD online courses.
• This course may not be suitable for parents whose child is under 4 years old.

ADHD Courses For Adults with ADHD

There are also ADHD courses for individuals with ADHD. Top options include Adult to Adult: Thriving with Adult ADHD by CHADD and A Life with ADHD by the University of Geneva.

Source: CHADD

Adult to Adult: Thriving with Adult ADHD is developed by CHADD and aims to assist adults in navigating the challenges of ADHD in various facets, including:

• Workplace and career
• Health and wellness
• Relationships

After completing the course, adults with ADHD are expected to gain valuable insights and learn strategies to:

• Navigate and adapt to changes
• Manage finances with confidence
• Recognize sources of stress and develop healthy coping mechanisms
• Establish and maintain clear boundaries

The course costs $59 and includes 24 lessons and 4 hours of video content. The expected duration of the whole course is 7 hours.

Course Topics

The course will discuss the following topics:

• Coping with Change
• Managing Finances with ADHD
• Strategies for Sandwich Generation (Ages 35-54)
• ADHD in Middle Age (40-65)
• Retirement and Estate Planning
• Meal Planning: Working Around ADHD
• Meditation with ADHD

Pros

• The course provides a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
• The course offers practical solutions in the day-to-day life of adults with ADHD.
• Webinars, podcasts, and a downloadable fact sheet are provided per topic.

Cons

• The course is catered for adults in midlife (aged 35 to 65) only.
• There is limited learner feedback regarding the course.
• The course has a higher price point compared to other ADHD courses online.

Source: Coursera

A Life With ADHD by the University of Geneva is a free online ADHD course with certificates that can be shared on LinkedIn.

The online course has three main objectives:

• Learn about ADHD and the difficulties that come with it
• Get to know the problems with diagnosing and treating ADHD
• Understand the different types of interventions that involve biology, psychology, and the environment

A Life With ADHD course is for beginners, and no prior experience is required. The expected duration to complete the online course is 17 hours.

Course Topics

The course comes with 6 modules:

• Module 1: What is ADHD? Challenges and Strengths
• Module 2: Responding to Challenges
• Module 3: Biological Interventions
• Module 4: Psychological Interventions
• Module 5: Skills Buildings
• Module 6: Environmental Interventions

Pros

• The course content considers various perspectives, including therapists and personal interviews.
• Enrollment in the course is free.
• The course received an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from students.
• According to learner reviews, the course topics are very engaging and educational.

Cons

• There is a lack of practical application and resources.
• According to learner feedback, the instructor is unresponsive to messages and/or queries.
• Learners have raised issues regarding the accuracy and functionality of the quizzes provided.
• The course's expected duration is longer than the other online ADHD courses.

Wrap Up

Online ADHD courses offer an accessible and practical way to learn about ADHD. Designed for various audiences, these programs provide evidence-based insights and practical strategies.

These online courses offer self-paced learning and opportunities for professional development. They cover a wide range of topics, making them suitable for anyone, whether it’s for deepening your understanding of ADHD or for refining your skills. Explore the options available, find one that best meets your needs, and take the next step toward effective ADHD management.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can an ADHD certificate course be an advantage for teachers?

An ADHD certificate course equips teachers with specialized tools and insights to better understand and support students with ADHD. Taking ADHD courses online helps teachers foster skill development, confidence, and academic success for their students.

Aside from ADHD courses, what other helpful online resources are available for ADHD management?

InFlow is an online application that uses cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help those with ADHD in managing their symptoms. Another helpful resource is Headspace, an application that helps manage ADHD through guided meditation and mindfulness exercises.

Are online ADHD courses for parents effective?

Yes, online ADHD courses for parents can be effective. An article discussed that parental training focusing on positive affirmation and improved parental instruction significantly reduced inattentiveness and hyperactivity in children with ADHD.