Personal curation · cards on the table
How lucky I am to stand on the shoulders of the giants that came before me.
Fellow clinicians regularly ask me what I recommend: which lecture, webinar, course or conference is worth it. Below, first what there is to follow, with dates. Then the standing references: sources, channels and people I keep pointing to with enthusiasm. Most events are in Dutch.
This is and remains a personal curation, a personal opinion. What is listed here caught my attention and is what I myself want to follow. What is not listed says nothing about its quality: the list is not exhaustive, and opinions may always differ.
Sometimes I am a member of the organisation, or I (co-)teach or speak there myself. That helps me judge the quality, but it also colours my view. So every recommendation states my tie to it: none member actively involved
Dates, prices and accreditation are taken from the organiser and may change: check them there before you register. I receive no compensation for a mention; I do this because it is my passion and I enjoy sharing it with you :)
By date. Past editions move to the archive below automatically.
Prof. Jim van Os (UMC Utrecht) in conversation with Prof. Elske Vrieze (UPC KU Leuven). About diagnoses in general, not specifically ADHD or autism.
I'm regularly asked whether ADHD or autism is a meaningful diagnosis. A broader lecture on the pros and cons of a diagnosis strikes me as a valuable conversation.
Lena De Hondt, pharmacist (VUB) and Sofina Boël fellow at UMC Groningen. Moderator: Dr. Peter Niemegeers.
A topic that comes with a lot of unease, for patients and clinicians alike. I'm looking forward to learning more here.
Prof. Arjan Videler on autism and ageing. Prof. Hilde Geurts and Dr. Annemiek Koster in conversation: living, losing, recalibrating and accepting.
I know Prof. Hilde Geurts personally as a strong scientist and an empathic soul, who speaks beautifully about ageing as an expert. With autism, growing older is even less self-evident.
Prof. Roeljan Wiersema (Ghent University), who leads the EXPLORA research group on autism and ADHD. Register via zitstil.be.
Hearing a psychologist and professor at Ghent University speak on this topic appeals to me.
Christiaan Heelen, contextual behaviour therapist and founder of Auti-Connect (Hasselt). On why autistic people are more vulnerable to substance and behavioural addictions, and what function that behaviour serves for them. Part of VAD's "Dual diagnosis" series.
Addiction in autism remains an under-discussed topic, and I know Christiaan up close: we are both part of the Auti-Connect core group. So read this recommendation with that in mind.
A documentary about four young autistic adults, followed by a discussion with Dr. Nele De Vriendt (psychiatrist, UPC KU Leuven). More a film night than a lecture.
As a psychiatrist Nele is passionately invested in neurodivergence herself and I love hearing her speak. A film night also brings a bit of culture into the room.
Prof. Marina Danckaerts, child and adolescent psychiatrist (UPC KU Leuven, KU Leuven). Continuing education in psychiatry.
Marina Danckaerts is a well-known name in the field, with expertise mainly in child and adolescent psychiatry. I already learned from her lecture at a previous conference.
To help close the gap between basics and protocols on one side, and a personalised approach that works for complex cases on the other. Taught in a neurodivergent-friendly way. Read this knowing that I am one of the main lecturers myself.
Eleven items in the yearly overview, nearly all parent evenings and parent groups. No price listed means it's free.
I work at OLO-Rotonde myself and see a great deal of expertise walking around there. An offer that is often free and supports clients and parents is one I can only recommend.
No recommendations match this combination. to show everything again.
Timeless: sources, channels and people I can happily point to myself.
Book · for practitioners
A recently published book full of valuable orientation and indispensable frameworks for working in a neurodiversity-affirming, therapeutic way.
Network · for professionals
A national interdisciplinary network for professionals. The LinkedIn group is a beacon of expertise, also open to practitioners outside the Netherlands.
Books & talks
An absolute authority whose books and talks formed the basis for my own downloadable "The Battery" (based on his energy accounting concept).
Platform · research
A unique platform where physicians who are themselves autistic contribute to and publish within the scientific research field.
Talks & literature
The ultimate combination of sharp, evidence-based data on ADHD, delivered with an incredible amount of compassion, nuance and a healthy dose of humor.
YouTube channel
Videos that are explicitly built ADHD-friendly, backed behind the scenes by both people with lived experience and top experts.
Psycho-education
Aimed at children and adolescents, but offers extremely usable psycho-education for anyone with (traits of) ADHD.