What is your role at ADHD Australia?
I work with the education team at ADHD Australia developing resources and improving support for students with ADHD in schools.
Why did you get involved in ADHD Australia?
Despite being a common neurodivergence, ADHD is not well understood by most people (even by people with ADHD) and is not well supported in schools, workplaces or social spaces. I wanted to be part of a team helping raise awareness, understanding and support.
What excites you about volunteering with ADHD Australia? What programs or initiatives are you passionate about?
I love being part of a community that really wants to see positive change. I’m passionate about giving the teachers of tomorrow the tools they need to work with neurodivergent children in schools. Children who are well supported at a young age are far more likely to succeed.
I’m also passionate about telling stories. I love nothing more than a compelling story and I want to put as many of our stories of triumph and tragedy out into the world as I can.
What changes or improvements would you like to see in how ADHD is addressed or supported in the community?
The change I’d like to see the most is improvements on how ADHD is spoken about as a condition by both medical professionals and the general media. There is a lot of misinformation and a lot of distrust. When we don’t need to use our resources fighting misinformation, we can put them to better use improving outcomes.
October is ADHD Awareness Month, and the theme is “Awareness is Key”. How important is awareness? What does ADHD awareness mean to you?
Neurodivergent people need to be seen and understood. We need to know that we’re not alone, our friends and families need to know how to support us and the world at large needs to know that we’re real people, not just headlines and statistics. Awareness is the cornerstone of a future where neurodiversity is understood, accepted and celebrated as a natural part of being human.
What is an ADHD stereotype/myth that you want to break?
I want to change the misconception that ADHD is young boys being hyperactive and that they’ll “grow out of it.”
ADHD doesn’t discriminate by gender, can manifest in many ways and doesn’t just disappear.
What is a tip/hack/strategy that helps you navigate your ADHD?
When I struggle with executive function, I turn what I need to do into smaller, easily accomplished goals, say them out loud and write them in a list. Hearing the words helps to make the task feel less daunting and being able to see my progress as I tick things off the list means that even if I don’t finish the job, I can see that I’m making progress.
What piece of advice can you share with someone who is just starting their journey in understanding ADHD?
Be kind to yourself.
Whenever you think you’re failing, think about how you’d react if your best friend were having the same problems. You wouldn’t blame them or put them down, you’d help and support them because you know how great they are.
Be a good friend to yourself and the journey will be so much easier.
Read Chris’s story on late diagnosis here: It’s OK to have mixed emotions