Goldilocks and the Bear Foundation spreads awareness about ADHD

AT least one in 20 children in South Africa suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Although mental health clinics exist in the public sector, children with ADHD often never reach this point of diagnosis and treatment, due to a lack of awareness and knowledge in their communities.

They may be labelled as naughty or stupid, or just silently fall out of the education system and only come to our attention when absorbed in the criminal justice system.

The Goldilocks and the Bear Foundation is a registered NPO and PBO that aims to remove mental health barriers to education. We visit underprivileged schools, or children can attend our screening centre in Parow, where we provide non-profit (free) screening for ADHD, anxiety, depression, visual and hearing problems, and developmental problems for children. This ensures early referral, diagnosis and treatment, and improves the quality of life for these children.

In addition to these services, the foundation also focuses on training, research, raising awareness, and educating parents and teachers, as well as the communities about ADHD and other mental health conditions.

We are completely dependent on fundraising initiatives and donors. Additionally, our pro-bono volunteers (optometrists, occupational therapists, audiologists, registered counsellors, psychometrists and psychologists) provide many of the services we offer. If you would like to assist in any way, please email info@gb4adhd.co.za for more information.

Goldilocks and the Bear Foundation has

Goldilocks and the Bear Foundation has also published South Africa’s first children’s book on ADHD titled

All of these things are important to me.

also published South Africa’s first children’s book on ADHD. The book, All of these things are important to me, explores the adventurous life of Zee in a short and colourful narrative in English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu and Sesotho (all in one book).

Through its captivating storytelling, the book explains how a child with ADHD perceives and lives in the world. The second part of the book offers a simple, but accurate explanation of ADHD: what it is, how it is diagnosed and how it is

managed. It also offers valuable advice for parents, educators and healthcare professionals in understanding and managing ADHD. The book is available for R100 on our website