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Living with ADHD
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Living with ADHD can be challenging, hilarious and hectic,
but it can also be scary and difficult.
Whether you're a young person or an adult, a family, a carer or a friend, we need more compassion, understanding and support.
Mythbusting
There's so much misinformation about ADHD. Our friends at ADHD Australia informed by the American have compiled this helpful list.
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FAKE
FACT
ADHD isn't a real medical condition
ADHD is listed in the DSM-5 and research shows there is a genetic component to the condition. There are 3 types, hyperactivity type, inattentive type and a combined type.
FAKE
FACT
ADHD is a result of bad parenting
ADHD is not caused by good, bad or indifferent parenting. ADHD is linked to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. But parents can be educated to help manage their child's ADHD.
FAKE
FACT
As with all neurodevelopment conditions it's not that simple. The symptoms of ADHD such as an inability to concentrate, sit still and impulsive behaviour, need a variety of supports in the classroom and empathy from students and teachers.
Kids with ADHD just need to try harder
FAKE
FACT
ADHD is not gender based. It doesn't matter if you're educated or not, rich or poor, or how old you are. But it is true that many girls do not always show the 'accepted' symptoms and are under-diagnosed.
Only boys have ADHD
FAKE
FACT
Kids with ADHD will outgrow it
In most cases, kids don't outgrow ADHD but they do learn how to manage their ADHD. That can be through medication, support and training but the key is early diagnosis and intervention.
FAKE
FACT
ADHD is overdiagnosed and the only way to manage ADHD is with medication
There is NO evidence to suggest this is true. Research tells us that ADHD is actually under-diagnosed. Medication is also NOT the only way to manage ADHD. There are many different ways to manage symptoms.
FAKE
FACT
The rates of attempted and actual suicide is around 4-5 timed higher than everyone else. Depression is the most common mental health issue for people with ADHD, particularly young people.
​ADHD has no bearing on depression
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Is ADHD is a disability?
Yes, it is
ADHD is recognised in the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) but it is not included on the Federal Government’s List of Recognised Disability and as a result, unlike other recognised neurodevelopment conditions it is not eligible for funding under the NDIS.
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Part of the ADHD Forum's work is to legitimise ADHD and have it recognised as a Disability across Government policy.
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The Federal Government is currently reviewing its Disability Strategy and our submission (link to submission) to this body of work revolves around the six of the Guiding Principles that underpin the strategy.
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It's our position that the current strategy is not meeting the needs of people with ADHD. Guiding Principles are important in framing policy, but they are meaningless if they are not evaluated for their effectiveness.
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Economic security. The ADHD community is economically disadvantaged as it remains unfunded and unrecognised in The Federal Government’s List of Recognised Disability. Diagnosis and treatments are largely self-funded and expensive. Additionally, untreated ADHD can have long term impacts on economic security, and capacity to contribute to the community
Inclusive and Accessible Communities. Members of the ADHD community consistently face exclusion within community and educational contexts and many face harsh scrutiny of behaviours in public settings. Anecdotal evidence supports the conclusion that ADHD’s exclusion from the NDIS has resulted in a redirection of services to those funded by the NDIS
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Rights protection, justice and legislation, ADHD is over represented within the criminal justice system. Few criminal cases include expert ADHD testimony. There are limited safeguards in the workplace when compared to other ‘recognised’ disabilities.
Learning and Skills: The manifestation of ADHD neurology in children adversely impacts their ability to learn. There are multiple examples of negative prejudicial treatment by teachers and other children through a lack of understanding of the condition and a lack of resources to manage the condition effectively in schools.
Health and wellbeing: For optimal outcomes ADHD needs to be identified and treated. The current health system impedes this optimal outcome.
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We are also advocating that a new principle be introduced:
Evidence-Based - Best Practice treatments, interventions and supports. Ideally, this would be supported by an expert advisory panel that would shape and review this principle and any accompanying standards that are required.
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