Insights into ADHD and Harmful Sexual Behaviors in Adolescents: A Conversation with Jonny Matthew
Please note: This webinar is not eligible for continuing education (CE) credit due to its informal, conversational format. Participants who attend the full live session will, however, receive a Certificate of Attendance.
This webinar is intended for professionals who work with adolescents who display harmful sexual behaviors and who have ADHD or related symptoms. This includes mental health counselors, social workers, clinical psychologists, forensic specialists, and paraprofessionals.
Professionals working with youth who have sexually abused frequently observe high rates of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among those in their practice. Research suggests that approximately 30 to 50 percent of adolescent males exhibiting harmful sexual behaviors meet criteria for this condition. This is not simply a common diagnosis; the core features associated with ADHD, such as impulsivity and difficulties with self-regulation, can contribute to re-offense risk if not properly addressed.
During this free webinar, Jonny Matthew—a social worker and criminologist with more than 30 years of experience—explores strategies for recognizing and responding to the needs of adolescents with ADHD. Drawing on both his professional expertise and his personal experience of living with this condition, Jonny offers insights to help practitioners support these young people in ways that reduce risk, promote recovery, and foster long-term wellbeing. The webinar conversation highlights:
- How core features of ADHD can act as risk factors
- Ways in which ADHD can also involve strengths that contribute to recovery and future success
- The role of trauma-informed approaches in enhancing engagement and treatment outcomes
- The importance of compassionate practice and safe treatment environments
Who's Presenting
Jonny Matthew MSc; BA(Hons); DipSW; DipCrimCJ; RSW
Jonny Matthew is a U.K. social worker and criminologist with over 30 years of experience of helping teenagers, particularly those who offend, to recover, gain resilience and move on. Jonny has had Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) his whole life but only sought professional help and treatment in the last few years.
Jonny is also a Youth Forensic Coordinator for FACTS, a mental health service throughout Wales, where he is the harmful sexual behavior specialist. In addition, Jonny works as a freelance consultant social worker and criminologist for the public, private and charitable sectors, where he has provided consultancy, training, assessment, inspection, editing, and supervision. He recently completed a five-year project with the Youth Justice Board to test a trauma-informed approach to managing prolific adolescent offenders.
Elsewhere, Jonny has served for five years as a youth offending team (YOT) officer, ten years as an adolescent sexual offending specialist with Barnardo’s, and three years as Deputy Manager of Hillside Secure Children’s Home. He writes a blog at http://jonnyvm.substack.com/ and recently published his second book, ‘Working with Troubled Children and Teenagers.’