Building Connections & Relationships

An ADHD Seminar

We’re thrilled to welcome Melissa Orlov, the world’s leading expert on ADHD and relationships, as our keynote speaker for a focused and practical seminar this October. Melissa will also lead two of the day’s four workshops, sharing her invaluable insights into communication, connection, and managing relationship dynamics impacted by ADHD.

The seminar will also offer practical sessions on supporting children with ADHD through a collaborative, team-based approach, and navigating key transitions through adolescence and adulthood – from independence and advocacy to study, work, and lifelong care. 

This special in-person event offers a more intimate experience than our annual Conference, providing the opportunity to connect face-to-face and dive deeper into the real-life impact of ADHD across different settings and life stages.

Whether you’re:

  • an adult living with ADHD,
  • a parent or partner wanting to strengthen your relationships, or
  • a professional supporting individuals and families, 

this event will leave you with fresh insights, practical tools, and meaningful connections.

Join us as we explore one of the most important – and often most challenging – aspects of life with ADHD: relationships.

PRICING 


Seminar Information

Building Connections and Relationships 

🗓️ Date: Saturday 11 October 2025 
Time: 9:00am – 3:30pm (registrations from 8.30am)
📍Location: Boulevard Centre, 99 The Boulevard, Floreat WA

Please be advised, the content of this Seminar is best suited for Adults aged 18+.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Keynote Presentation

Melissa Orlov presenting on How Adult ADHD Impacts Romantic Relationships 

Couples in which one or both adults has ADHD often struggle, falling into predictable patterns based in both the presence of ADHD symptomatic behaviours and partner responses to those symptoms. Both the partners and any counsellor with whom they might work need education and specific, targeted strategies in order to learn to thrive again. In this keynote, top ADHD relationship expert, Melissa Orlov, will provide an overview of the destructive patterns these couples fall into, as well the path to a more happy and successful union. 

Melissa Orlov

Melissa Orlov is the founder of ADHDmarriage.com, and ADHD & Marriage Consulting. She helps ADHD-affected couples from around the world re-balance their relationships and learn to thrive through her seminars, books, and consulting. She has written two award-winning books on the impact of ADHD in relationships.  Her first, The ADHD Effect on Marriage was called 'the relationship…

View Bio for Melissa Orlov

Workshops

There will be four workshops offered on the day – two in the morning and two in the afternoon. 

Attendees will select two workshops to attend: one before lunch and one after lunch. Workshop attendance is capped, and selections must be made at the time of ticket purchase to help us manage room capacities and ensure a smooth event experience. 

We recommend booking early to secure your preferred workshop choices, as places are limited and may fill quickly. 

(Press the “+” icons below to learn more about each session)

Morning Workshops

🟩 Tackling Anger and Resentment in ADHD-Impacted Couples | Led by Melissa Orlov

Anger and resentment are often present for struggling ADHD-impacted couples, both for environmental and physiological reasons. This interactive workshop will identify common sources of anger and resentment and then help participants identify key strategies to start to address their own (or their clients’) feelings of anger and resentment. For professionals, the workshop will provide education and insight as well as a template for working with clients on their ADHD-related ‘obstacle emotions’. 

🟩 It Takes a Village: Building Your Child’s ADHD Support Network | Featuring four guest speakers

This workshop brings together a panel of professionals to explore how families can build a strong, collaborative support network around their child with ADHD. 

Drawing on the unique perspectives of an Occupational Therapist, Educator and Learning Needs Specialist, Paediatrician, and Psychologist, the panel will discuss practical strategies for supporting children across home, school, and clinical settings. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of each professional’s role, how to navigate systems of support, and how working together can make a real difference in a child’s development and wellbeing.  

  • Berry Johnston – Occupational Therapist
  • Shelley Blakers – Educator, Learning Needs Specialist
  • Aggie Bakowski – Paediatrician
  • Andrew Sheridan – Psychologist

Afternoon Workshops

🟩 Improving Partnership: Boundaries, Negotiation, and Tasks in ADHD-Impacted Relationships | Led by Melissa Orlov

Romantic partnerships often become imbalanced when one or both partners has ADHD. The more organised partner may take on too much responsibility, while the less organised partner struggles to contribute. This imbalance is a big deal. It can lead to: partner burnout and health issues; anger & resentment in both partners; lying and cover ups; communication struggles; hopelessness; and emotional and sexual disconnection. 

This workshop will utilise: personal stories from the participants (you are not alone!); boundary intensity work; and executive function strategy discussions to help couples and professionals understand the web of emotional and executive function issues that lead to this struggle. Participants should leave with a clearer understanding of how and why this structural imbalance shows up in their lives, as well as several strategies to try out to start to address it.

🟩 ADHD Across The Lifespan: Navigating Transitions at Every Stage | Featuring four guest speakers

This multi-speaker workshop will explore the key transitions individuals with ADHD face as they move through different life stages – from adolescence to adulthood and beyond. 

With insights from professionals and lived experience, the session will cover topics including fostering independence and self-advocacy, launching into university, navigating career pathways, and the GP’s role in lifelong ADHD care. 

Attendees will gain practical guidance for supporting young people to “let go with confidence,” as well as tools for managing change, building self-awareness, and accessing support systems at every stage of life.

  • Michele Toner – Letting go with confidence: Fostering Independence and Self Advocacy
  • Roanne Young – Launching into Uni
  • Loise Keay-Smith – Navigating Careers
  • Tim Leahy – The GP’s Role in Lifelong ADHD Care

What’s included in my ticket? 

Morning Tea Provided
Enjoy morning tea as part of your seminar experience.

A great range of cafés and eateries are just a short stroll from the Boulevard Centre, offering plenty of options for lunch.

Free Parking
Free onsite parking is available for attendees at The Boulevard Centre, conveniently located within the Floreat Forum precinct. 

Networking Opportunities
Connect with fellow attendees who have lived, carer or professional experience with ADHD. 

Practical Strategies & Real-Life Connection
Explore evidence-based tools and expert guidance to strengthen relationships and support meaningful connections at every stage of life with ADHD. 

Pricing

ADHD WA Members – $145.00
Log in to your ADHD WA Membership account to view the discount code below. Use this code when purchasing tickets to access the member rate.
Family/Family Concession Members can claim TWO tickets using the discount code.
Non-Members – $240.00
Not a member yet? Becoming an ADHD WA member gives you access to discounted ticket prices – and a range of other valuable benefits for individuals and families.

BECOME A MEMBER AND SAVE

Tickets on Sale Soon
Spaces are strictly limited for this smaller, more personal event – don’t miss your chance to be part of it. Tickets will be available from Monday 18 August at 10:00am. Mark your calendar so you don’t miss out.

  

Terms & Conditions 

Cancellations:  All cancellations must be made in writing to hello@adhdwa.org. Refunds for this event only, will be offered 31+ days prior to the Seminar date (i.e. before Thursday 10 September 2025). Cancellation is not permitted within 30 days of the Conference date. Name changes are permitted. Please notify hello@adhdwa.org of any name changes.