About The Course
The ADHD Excellence across the Lifespan curriculum equips GPs with essential skills in ADHD diagnosis and management. Covering childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, it integrates evidence-based strategies, case-based learning, and advanced prescribing principles. Participants will apply clinical guidelines to real-world scenarios, develop confidence in treating complex presentations, and enhance patient outcomes through practical, guideline-aligned care. This program offers a complete, structured pathway to delivering best-practice ADHD care across all life stages.
This curriculum is endorsed by NSW Health as an approved training program for general practitioners seeking to meet ADHD prescribing and management requirements under the NSW continuation prescriber reforms.
(General Practitioners who are Academy members, please contact us for details)
Accreditation Information:
- This course is RACGP accredited for general practitioners and approved by the GPMHSC for 8 FPS CPD hours.
Upon completion of this curriculum, participants will receive a course completion certificate and 8 CPD hours (EA-5, RP-2, MO-1)
What You'll Learn
- Discuss the epidemiology of ADHD in Children and Adolescents
- Explore the psychosocial and educational impacts of ADHD
- Support clinicians in the evidence-based assessment and diagnosis of ADHD in children and adolescents through the use of the latest clinical guidelines
- Recognise the latest pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies to treat and manage ADHD
- Consolidate knowledge through an interactive case study and a final knowledge test
- Identify the key characteristics and neurobiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Consider the impacts and progression of adult ADHD across the lifespan of a patient
- Identify the proposed criteria for correctly diagnosing patients with ADHD
- Recognise the complexities and differences in the presentation of adult ADHD
- Discuss management principles and strategies for treating patients with ADHD
- Explore ADHD-associated comorbidities and treatment strategies
- Discuss the neuroscience of ADHD.
- Recognise the psychopharmacology of stimulant vs. non-stimulant medications for ADHD.
- Discuss the legal requirements and implications for prescribing authorities.
Course Programme
22 Units | 69 Modules | 7 hours total length
- The Psychosocial and Educational Impacts of ADHD
- Key predictors of Outcomes
- Brain changes in ADHD
- Diagnosing ADHD
- Assessment Strategies
- Ruling In/Out Comorbidities
- Psychiatric Comorbidities
- Management Principles for ADHD
- Pharmacological and Non-pharmacological Treatment Strategies for ADHD
- Reasons for Choosing Different Treatment Approaches
- Pharmacological Treatment of ADHD in Children and Adolescents
- Before Initiating Pharmacotherapy
- Efficacy and Functional Benefits
- Available First Line Medications, Second Line Drug Treatments
- Prescribing in Special Populations
- Medication Choice and Formulation
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) Prescriptions Requirements, Specific Rules
- Prescriptions Requirements for Schedule 8 Drugs
- Diagnosing Childhood ADHD: Application Through Two Case Studies
- Knowledge Check
- Specificities of ADHD
- History of ADHD
- Epidemiology of ADHD
- Gender Difference in Adult ADHD
- ADHD in Females
- Copy Number Variants (CNVs)
- Role of genetics in ADHD
- Environmental factors
- Nutritional factors
- Gene-environment interactions
- Neurobiology of ADHD
- Advanced psychopharmacology of ADHD
- Impact of ADHD across lifespan
- ADHD progression
- Mortality in adult ADHD
- Mortality rates in ADHD vs. non-ADHD
- Factors associated with mortality in ADHD patients
- Red Flags, Presentations and Diagnostic Criteria for Adult ADHD
- Process for Diagnosing Adult ADHD
- Application Through a Case Study
- Management of ADHD comorbidities
- Pharmacological Management of Adult ADHD
- Stimulants Immediate Release
- Stimulants Extended Release
- Non-Stimulants
- Pharmacological Recommendations
- Diagnostic tool for depression
- Non-Pharmacological Management of Adult ADHD
- Neurofeedback (NF)
- Development of Other Non-Pharmacological Approaches
- Application Through a Case Study
- Knowledge Check
- Neurobiology of ADHD: Brain Structure Overview
- Brain changes in ADHD
- The Role of the Prefrontal Cortex
- The Executive Control Network in ADHD
- The Alerting Network in ADHD
- The Default Mode Network in ADHD
- Focus on Dopamine and Noradrenaline
- Dopamine Receptors
- Noradrenaline Receptors
- Catecholamine Imbalance in ADHD
- The Dynamic Developmental Theory
- The Dopamine Transfer Deficit Theory
- The Psychopharmacology of ADHD: Current Treatments
- Stimulants
- Methylphenidate (DAT and NAT Inhibitor)
- Amphetamine (AMPH)
- Non-Stimulants
- Atomoxetine
- Bupropion
- Alpha-2 Adrenergic Receptors Agonists (Clonidine and Guanfacine)
- New ADHD Treatments
- Legal Requirements for Prescribing ADHD Treatments
- Knowledge Check
Course Description
ADHD Excellence across the Lifespan – A Practical Guide for General Practitioners provides a complete pathway for diagnosing, managing, and treating ADHD from childhood through adulthood. ADHD is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in young people, with significant impacts on learning, behaviour, and social development. In adults, it remains frequently underdiagnosed, with less than one in five patients receiving appropriate treatment — a gap that can significantly affect individual and societal outcomes.
This curriculum integrates evidence-based strategies, case-based learning, and advanced prescribing principles to equip GPs with the skills to provide high-quality, guideline-aligned care across all life stages. Designed as comprehensive ADHD training for general practitioners, it addresses the unique diagnostic and management challenges at each stage of life, ensuring clinicians can apply the latest research and clinical guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes.
This course will take approximately 7 hours to complete and is eligible for 8 CPD hours. Even after completion, you can retake this course as often as you wish within your enrolment period to consolidate learning or revise key concepts.
Courses included in this curriculum
- Diagnosis and Management of ADHD in Childhood and Adolescence
- Adult ADHD: Advanced Clinical Program from Diagnosis to Management
- Advanced ADHD Psychopharmacology: Medications, Neuroscience & Prescribing Guidelines for Clinicians
Diagnosis and Management of ADHD in Childhood and Adolescence
This course equips GPs with the skills to recognise early signs, apply DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, and navigate the complexities of assessment in children and adolescents. Participants will explore epidemiology, ADHD subtypes, and the psychosocial and educational impacts of the disorder, alongside common comorbidities that influence diagnosis and treatment.
Through the use of validated screening tools and guideline-aligned assessment strategies, learners will gain confidence in delivering accurate, evidence-based diagnoses. The program also covers pharmacological and non-pharmacological management approaches, including lifestyle modifications, behavioural interventions, and educational support. Interactive case studies guide participants through real-world clinical scenarios, helping to integrate theory with practice.
Adult ADHD: Advanced Clinical Program from Diagnosis to Management
This course equips GPs to recognise and manage diverse adult ADHD presentations, exploring the neurobiology, symptom patterns, and proposed diagnostic criteria alongside differences from childhood presentations.
Participants will examine ADHD progression across the lifespan and address common comorbidities such as mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. The program integrates the latest ADHD screening tools, research evidence, and assessment techniques to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Learners will develop individualised treatment plans, combining pharmacological and psychosocial interventions, while gaining practical guidance on patient engagement, long-term monitoring, and outcome optimisation.
Advanced ADHD Psychopharmacology: Medications, Neuroscience & Prescribing Guidelines for Clinicians
This course provides GPs with an advanced understanding of ADHD neurobiology and the pharmacology of both stimulant and non-stimulant medications. Participants will examine the mechanisms of action, clinical applications, and side-effect profiles of first- and second-line treatments, integrating the latest research and clinical guidelines.
The program addresses legal and regulatory requirements for prescribing, ensuring GPs are aware of their professional responsibilities and compliance obligations. Learners will develop the ability to tailor medication selection to individual patient needs, taking into account age, comorbidities, previous treatment response, and patient preference. Case-based discussions allow participants to apply prescribing principles to real-world scenarios, enhancing decision-making confidence.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this curriculum, participants will be able to:
- Apply the latest clinical guidelines to assess, diagnose, and manage ADHD across the lifespan.
- Differentiate ADHD presentations in children, adolescents, and adults, considering developmental and comorbidity factors.
- Implement evidence-based treatment strategies, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches.
- Navigate complex prescribing decisions for ADHD medications, ensuring safe, legal, and effective use.
- Improve patient outcomes through personalised, guideline-aligned ADHD care.
ADHD Excellence across the Lifespan gives GPs the confidence, tools, and clinical insight to deliver best-practice care from early childhood through to adulthood. Whether refining diagnostic skills, advancing treatment strategies, or mastering safe prescribing, this program offers a structured and practical approach to ADHD management. Enrol today to enhance your expertise and transform patient outcomes across all stages of life.
Related Courses
- ADHD In Practice: Clinical Case Studies from Basics to Complexity: This case-based course builds on ADHD assessment and management through three complex clinical scenarios. It strengthens diagnostic reasoning, formulation and treatment planning, helping clinicians navigate comorbidities, diagnostic uncertainty and treatment sequencing in everyday practice.
- Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comprehensive Guide to Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis: Given the diagnostic overlap and co-occurrence of ADHD and autism, this course strengthens developmental history-taking, clinical assessment and differential diagnosis. It supports clinicians in recognising complex neurodevelopmental presentations and identifying co-occurring conditions.
- Sleep and Psychiatry: Neuropsychiatric and Precision Approaches: Sleep disturbances are an important consideration in ADHD assessment and management. This course explores sleep–wake regulation, sleep disorders and evidence-based treatment approaches, providing a broader clinical framework for assessing and managing sleep-related difficulties in psychiatric presentations.
- Advanced Psychiatric Formulation and Strategic Management – A 2 Part Series: Designed for clinicians managing complex psychiatric presentations, this series strengthens diagnostic formulation and strategic management skills. It integrates neurobiological and psychological perspectives to support individualised clinical decision-making when ADHD coexists with other psychiatric conditions.
Gain practical skills in ADHD diagnosis and management across all life stages. Learn evidence-based strategies, clinical tools, and prescribing approaches to improve outcomes for patients from childhood through adulthood.




