Who we are and what we do?

ADD-vance is a registered charity set up in Hertfordshire in 1996 to support and empower adults, children and families with Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and related conditions in Hertfordshire.

Both these disorders make it difficult for children to succeed in school because of the resulting anxiety and behaviour difficulties. Parents often struggle with the challenging behaviour at home and can find that usual discipline methods are ineffective. Bad parenting does not cause these conditions but all too often it is the parent who feels blamed. This can leave parents feeling demoralised, isolated and unheard.

This is where we come in:

• At ADD-vance we listen.
• At ADD-vance we are non-judgmental.
• At ADD-vance we give strategies, support and information.
• At ADD-vance we provide a confidential, safe and friendly atmosphere where parents can speak freely (often for the first time) about their child/family issues.
• At ADD-vance we give space for emotions.

Our Team

• 
  Anne Ross
  Project Director MBPsS
  Behavioural Psychologist, Specialist Autism/ADHD Behavioural Coach & Trainer

  I started ADD-vance in 1996 to help me cope with Autism & ADHD issues in my own family. I have since worked for many years as a specialist coach of families and adults who are dealing with all aspects of living with Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I have been training front-line workers in health, education and social care and other statuary services, as well as running specialist parenting courses and workshops for the past 5 years.
  My personal experiences of living with Autism & ADHD have had a significant effect on my involvement in this disability area and I am proud to have enabled many people to make positive differences to their lives and the lives of others; focusing on potential rather than past performance and working towards achieving desired goals.

• 
  Carolyn Green
  MBPsS, BSc (Hons), RN, PGCE, NASENCO
  Training and Development Manager, Specialist Trainer and Coach

  Carolyn has trained as a nurse, a teacher, a SENCO and an astronaut (probably). Not only does Carolyn know how it works from the perspective of the professionals in our kids’ lives but through her personal experiences of Autism and ADHD, she brings together the two worlds in one kind and fun-loving package.

• 
  Pamela Reitemeier
  BA (Hons), PgC (Autism), Applied Behaviour Analysis® Specialist
  Consultant Trainer

  Pamela has been active, in support of people with autism and their families, for over a decade. Since 2006, she has been working as a Training Consultant, raising awareness about autism and Asperger Syndrome, for both professional and parent groups. She has successfully managed an intensitve, early autism behavioural programme (Applied Behaviour Analysis) for over five years and has studied autism at the University of Birmingham. She works in a voluntary capacity both nationally (with the National Autistic Society) and locally (with the harc, the NAS Branch and AAA, a consortium of parent support groups).Prior to this, she worked for the United Nations Children’s Fund in communication and training in Chad (West Africa), in Bangladesh and in London.

• 
  Russell Hedger
  Autism/ADHD Specialist Coach

  My name is Russell Hedger, I’m a single father to 3 of the most annoying, dysfunctional yet unique and loving children, they have been my drive and motivation in understanding the difficulties that Autism and ADHD conditions present not only to our children, but to our families as well, I’m in the unique position to work alongside the whole family and apply many proven techniques to aid recovery in the short and long term. My experiences are vast and I have also completed many courses that enable me to offer even more solutions that the whole family benefits from. I have been with ADD-vance for more than 5 years now and have provided dedicated support to many families existing alongside Autism, Aspergers and ADHD.

• 
  Robin Wilding
  Autism/ADHD Specialist Coach

  My name is Robin Wilding, a busy Mum to four beautiful children. My eldest child was diagnosed with Aspergers and ADHD at the age of 8yrs, leading me to train as a specialist coach with ADD-vance. I recognise the challenges parents face with their children and am always humbled by their resilience. My aim is to offer strategies to work with individual families and children, to improve family life as a whole, offering a fresh perspective without judging. Everyone can feel as though they’ve run out of ideas and sometimes may simply need a little support to regain the confidence in their own resourcefulness.

• 
  Sarah Secoy
  MA SEN, BEd ( Hons ),Cert SpLD
  Autism/ADHD Specialist Coach and Qualified Teacher

  I joined ADD-vance as a Specialist Coach in 2013 following access and membership to the charity both as a parent and as a professional .I currently teach in a mainstream school for children with SEN as a specialist support teacher of Specific Learning Difficulties and Social Communication Skills .This post lends itself well to coaching families through specific issues and topics related to the conditions associated with ASD and ADHD.
  I have taught across all key stages in a variety of school settings and worked for Local Authority within Specialist SEN teams. I have a broad knowledge and understanding of the impact these conditions can have on an individual’s Health, Education and Care within the school, home and community .
  l am passionate about supporting and empowering families to be able to know how to confidently access the most appropriate strategies and provision that will enhance the lives of their family members.
  It is so rewarding to see positive life changes in families through coaching. I am privileged as a Specialist Coach to be part of this process and to be able to see the difference that it can make to people’s lives.

• 
  Melanie Peeke
  MA, Human Sciences
  Specialist Trainer and Facebook Admin

  I thought that a degree in Human Sciences followed by a corporate career in training and development might have been good preparation for motherhood. However, I find being a parent much harder than I ever imagined. With fantastic support from local schools and charities (including ADD-vance) I have finally reached the point where I know how to bring out the best in my autistic daughter and really enjoy family life. This has involved learning about different parenting styles and trying new ways of doing things to motivate everyone in my household!
  I am absolutely passionate about the positive impact of parenting courses – they help to build a sense of community, provide a supportive place to share ideas and allow time for reflection. In 2010 I re-trained as a parenting practitioner and since then I have been facilitating parenting programmes and workshops across Hertfordshire for ADD-vance and two other local organisations. I have also been involved in setting up a social group for girls with High-Functioning Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome called Spectrum Girls and am particularly keen to raise awareness of autism in women.

• 
  Kirsty North
  Specialist Trainer and Coach

  I am a mum to two lively, crazy and hilarious little boys, as well as a writer. My eldest son was diagnosed with ADHD and a sleep disorder at six, and my husband also has ADHD, which whilst incredibly tough at times has allowed (forced) me to really get to grips with supporting the boys through the unique set of challenges they face. My aim is to support families and young people with ADHD and Autism and help them to build their self-esteem and confidence. I deeply believe that a confident child is a child with a great future regardless of the challenges they face, but as both parents and children getting there is so difficult when the messages we receive can be deeply negative. My aim is to do as much as I can to combat that negativity and help parents and children feel supported and accepted whenever I can.
  

• 
  Emma Dalrymple
  Training Consultant and facilitator, NLP Practitioner.
  Before autism entered my life in the shape of my youngest daughter, I specialised in group facilitation, particularly in the areas of social exclusion and unemployment. I have been involved in the design and delivery of a range of innovative courses since 2003, supporting individuals and groups to realise their goals and to implement and embed lasting change. I also have a wealth of experience training trainers and have been a mentor for young people in Hertfordshire facing challenges since 2010.
  As I have spent over 10 years practicing and promoting the benefits of group work and peer support, when my daughter was diagnosed I was keen to attend courses that would help me with my own family and enable me to build a strong local network of support. In doing so, I realised I could utilise my existing knowledge and experience to become a training consultant and facilitator for ADD-vance.
  
• 
  Catherine Ainsworth
  Specialist Trainer & Website Co-ordinator

  Catherine is fairly new to the ADD-vance fold. She was first inspired to volunteer when she attended the 6 week parent Time Out course and the rest, as they say, is history. Today Catherine is a qualified trainer providing support to other parents of children with ADHD & Autism in Hertfordshire. Catherine’s background in digital marketing and being Yorkshire in no way prepared her for the trials and tribulations of life as the parent of kids with ADHD and Autism but like so many others has found that you become an expert pretty quickly! Catherine provides parent training and also works behind the scenes on website improvements and other marketing projects.

All our trainers are qualified to at least Level 3 Award in Education and Training provided by City & Guilds. Many of our trainers are fully qualified teachers.