If you want to support someone you love with ADHD, below is a list of 10 things that you could do to help raise awareness.
Note, ‘help’, not fix.
There is no ‘fix’ for ADHD – it is simply a condition of the brain which means that the ADHDer (and their friends and family) will have to adjust the way they manage themselves, society and the environment around them.
Educate yourself: Learn about ADHD through reliable sources to gain a better understanding of the condition and its impact on individuals as well as their families and friends.
Share information: Spread awareness by sharing accurate and helpful resources about ADHD with your friends, family and community.
Advocate: Speak up for individuals with ADHD and promote understanding and acceptance in schools, workplaces and society as a whole.
Support groups: Join or create support groups for individuals with ADHD and their families to share experiences, advice and resources.
Engage with professionals: Collaborate with healthcare providers, educators and therapists to ensure appropriate support and accommodations are in place.
Encourage open conversations: Foster an environment where individuals with ADHD feel comfortable discussing their experiences and challenges without judgment.
Promote inclusivity: Encourage schools and workplaces to implement inclusive policies and accommodations that support individuals with ADHD.
Challenge stigma: Address misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding ADHD by sharing personal stories and experiences.
Organise events: Plan events or workshops focused on ADHD awareness, inviting experts and individuals with lived experiences to share their knowledge and insights.
Support research: Contribute to organisations or initiatives that fund research on ADHD to further our understanding of the condition and improve support systems.
Your child ...
If your child has ADHD, I would advise offering them empathy and trust, even if you may not fully comprehend their experiences. It is crucial to provide them with time and space to communicate with you without judgment. Encourage them to explore alternative approaches to tasks and offer support when societal expectations exacerbate their ADHD symptoms.
In school ...
School may be an overwhelming place for children with ADHD and while they may appear to be coping, they often mask their symptoms during the school day and release their pent-up energy once they get home (or to their safe place). This could significantly negatively impact their self-esteem if there are repercussions for their behaviour in either setting. Instead, I suggest incorporating management strategies into their school and home routines.
Communicating with the school and sharing what works and what doesn't for your child will benefit all parties involved, but especially the child. This approach aims to empower them rather than constantly undermining their self-worth by implying they are always the one in the wrong (because there is only one way to do things).
Research suggests that children with ADHD may not just receive a disproportionate amount of negative messages but they may also be more sensitive to it (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria). This leads them to avoid situations or experiences where they may receive further criticism or disapproval which in turn impacts their ability to challenge themselves and develop resilience.
The potentially devastating implications for self-esteem, self-worth, resilience and simply understanding themselves are immense, and heartbreaking.
At home ...
At home, it is beneficial to allow them time to regulate themselves after school before assigning any tasks, such as tidying up or engaging in conversations. It may seem trivial that they struggle with such seemingly simple tasks or discussing their day but sometimes they genuinely find it challenging.
It is important to understand that:
- Children are not intentionally misbehaving, ignoring you or being lazy;
- Children are not always wrong in how they tackle something;
- Children's behaviour is not naughty or over-exaggerated;
- These children simply perceive the world differently.
Remember, each person’s experience with ADHD is unique and it is essential to approach support with empathy, trust and patience. By raising awareness and providing a supportive environment, we can help children with ADHD thrive and overcome challenges they may face.
Awareness ...
ADHD is such a huge and diverse neurodivergent condition which is not yet completely understood. Therefore, raising awareness will take time and patience to learn how to understand it and how to support your child. Twenty-five years ago ADHS was seen as a behavioural disorder which was defined by hyperactivity and impulsivity. It was about the deficit of attention and it was also believed that females could not have it.
Now, it is recognised as a cognitive disorder or developmental impairment which impact both executive functions and emotional regulation. Rather that a deficit in attention, now it is recognised as a regulation of attention; an inconsistent ability to attend especially on tasks perceived as disinteresting or unimportant. Girls and women are recognised as highly impaired by ADHD and internalise much of the hyperactivity elements that were so recognisable in boys.
As October 2023 is ADHD Awareness month, I thought this was a good time to post about it and raise some awareness as well as to remove some of the attached stigma.
On a personal note ...
I have worked in the field of Education for a decade, specialising in Special Education Needs and Disabilities, during which time I have regularly encountered children with ADHD, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, honing my recognition and awareness skills. Yet, despite this, I still failed to recognise the signs in myself - for over 40 years. My growing awareness helped me finally recognise it and seek a diagnosis but that came with a wealth of other overwhelming, mixed and completely contradictory emotions. Including anger for those in my life who did not notice as they did not have the awareness back then; guilt that I didn’t recognise it in myself; sadness at the life I could have had if I were truly understood; as well as relief that all my feelings and symptoms now make complete sense and I can start the process of acceptance and learning to manage my condition effectively.
Sadly, my self-learnt coping skills of significant masking and mimicking, high anxiety and people pleasing hid the symptoms from even myself. Therefore, my personal feelings are strong around the importance of raising awareness in the education and medical industries (as well as within families where there is a diagnosis of ADHD) to ensure every child has the opportunity to be loved and valued for themselves rather than society continually (and unsuccessfully) trying to put square pegs into round holes.
Since being diagnosed with ADHD in February 2023, I have conducted an array personal and professional research on the topic. It is important to note that I am continuously learning and do not claim to possess complete knowledge on the subject. The purpose of sharing my story is solely to raise awareness and not to provide any form of assessment, diagnosis or expert opinion.
I’m in no way trying to assess or diagnosis ADHD but merely offer a starting point to raise your own awareness.
Raising awareness of ADHD is an important step in understanding and supporting children experiencing this neurodivergent condition. It is commendable that you are looking to contribute to this cause during ADHD Awareness month in October 2023. It is crucial to note that ADHD is a complex condition that may require time and patience to fully comprehend and provide appropriate support for children. It exists on a spectrum and symptoms can manifest differently in various people and circumstances. If you want to support someone you love with ADHD, do take a look at the suggestions above or let me know if you have any other queries.
