Trauma and ADHD can produce similar behaviours in the classroom, which can lead to misdiagnosis and leave students without the support they need.
Understanding the differences and overlaps between trauma and ADHD is essential for teachers and support staff working with children aged 3 to 12.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition present from early childhood. Behaviours related to trauma often emerge after an unsafe experience.
Other conditions such as anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), oppositional defiance disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) can overlap in the educational environment, making it difficult for teachers to understand what is driving the behaviour they are observing. That is why observation, consistent support and collaboration with qualified clinicians and families is important.
About the online workshop
In this workshop we will examine how similarities between both trauma and ADHD can often lead to misdiagnoses. Those misdiagnoses can have a significant impact on the support offered and required by the students to participate and reach their full potential in educational settings.
What you will learn:
- Understand how ADHD and trauma affect brain development and behaviour.
- Recognise the core symptoms and patterns of ADHD (hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity) and trauma.
- Understand the overlap (where confusion happens) between both trauma and ADHD.
- Learn about other conditions that make this differentiation difficult.
- Gain practical insights and strategies to recognise the similarities and distinctions between trauma and ADHD and how they will present in your classrooms.
- Identify when and why to recommend a qualified clinician’s comprehensive assessment, including developmental history, mental health screening, and family input.
What you will take away:
- Confidence in recognising the signs of ADHD and trauma.
- Practical strategies to implement into your classroom or early educational setting.
- Insights to help create safe, responsive learning environments.
Who should attend?
This online workshop is suitable for:
- Primary teachers & early childhood teachers.
- School leaders.
- SLSOs and wider support teams.
- Professionals working with children in educational settings.
You will also have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the speaker or if you prefer submit questions via email prior to the presentation.
Details
Date: Friday 20 February 2026.
Time: 9:30am to 1pm (AEDT).
Location: Online webinar, attendees will receive their access details the week of the webinar.
Speaker: Heather Irvine-Rundle, senior clinical psychologist and director of The READ Clinic.
Ticket price: $210 per person (including GST).
Booking form: Download the booking form
Purchase tickets: Purchase tickets
If you would like to purchase your ticket via bank transfer, please email (info@committedtochildcareconferences.com) the team and we will send you our banking details.
Professional accreditation
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
This presentation meets the following Australian Professional Standards for Teachers:
- Standard 1 – Know students and how they learn.
- Standard 4 – Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments.
- Standard 6 – Engage in professional learning.
About the speaker
Heather Irvine-Rundle
Senior clinical psychologist, Conjoint Professor of Practice, School of Psychology at the University of Newcastle and director of The READ Clinic
Heather is a senior clinical psychologist and the director of The Read Clinic, which is one of the largest psychology practises in Australia. As well as practising in Australia, Heather has also spent three years in the UK working with some of the most deprived families in Liverpool and London. She also led a service providing advice and consultations on mental health to all the schools in the South London area.
As well as practicing for over two decades Heather has also found time to become a published author with her latest book Hello Baby. Heather speaks regularly on local ABC radio, has appeared on a number of television shows including 60 Minutes, and writes regular articles for print and digital media.
In 2019, Heather was appointed as Conjoint Professor of Practice in the School of Psychology at the University of Newcastle, NSW.
Registration policy
Read our registration policy.