What is your role at ADHD Australia?
I am currently volunteering as a learning resource specialist with a focus on supports to assist the transition from primary to high school for neurodivergent students.
Why did you want to volunteer with ADHD Australia?
Originally, I worked as a teacher and learning specialist within Victorian Government schools. I always enjoyed building relationships with neurodivergent students and helping them to feel successful at school. After my own late diagnosis, I wanted to be able to give back to the generations currently going through schooling now to hopefully make their journey a little bit easier.
Tell us a bit about your ADHD journey.
I was diagnosed when I was 30 years old. As a female it was hard to identify with the typical presentations of ADHD, although I had always felt different to my friends. I began to question whether I had ADHD whilst studying a Master of Specialist Inclusive Education and gained an improved understanding of how women present. Since being diagnosed, I chose to take medication and started to understand how I fit within the world, opposed to changing to fit.
What changes or improvements would you like to see in how ADHD is addressed or supported in the community?
A better understanding, through lived experience, of how ADHD presents in different people and how this affects daily functioning. Challenges that often come with ADHD such as difficulties with executive functioning are not always understood and the amount of negative feedback can be hard to cope with. Improvements such as increasing environmental supports can assist to improve a person’s experience. Further understanding of ‘masking’ is also a big area of importance!
What excites you about volunteering with ADHD Australia?
I’m a big believer in knowledge being one of the most important tools when it comes to increasing inclusion. By bringing awareness to different areas of the ADHD community it can increase confidence in knowing how to ask for or implement accommodations.
What do you do outside of ADHD Australia?
I currently work as a Behaviour Support Practitioner through NDIS. This was a change after teaching for nine years and deciding I wanted to work in the disability field. I really enjoy working with my participants and their families. I have also started the path towards a degree in psychology and hope to combine this with my PBS work in future years.
Read more from Jess here:
Reasonable adjustments in education: where and how to find support
