What is your role at ADHD Australia?
I’m the Chief Communications Officer.
Why did you get involved in ADHD Australia?
I happened to be browsing LinkedIn one day when I saw the volunteer opportunity come up. At the time, I wasn’t aware what ADHD Australia did, but as I was curious to learn more. I started reading about the work they did, and I thought it was a great opportunity to not only help spread awareness, but also to help people that really need it.
What excites you about volunteering with ADHD Australia? What programs or initiatives are you passionate about?
It’s cheesy, but it’s the amazing group of people that volunteer along with me. There’s something amazing about being in a meeting with people that share the same vision as you and are really excited about everything they do. It’s not something you get to come across often, but it really energises you.
I don’t think I would limit myself to any particular programs. Instead, I would just say I’m passionate. Passionate to raise awareness, to support our volunteers, and to hopefully change someone’s life for the better.
What changes or improvements would you like to see in how ADHD is addressed or supported in the community?
I think accessibility is the main thing. We are always hearing about how long it takes people to get a formal diagnosis, and that it’s a cost that a lot of people can’t afford. Improving accessibility is something that would go a long way for a lot of people.
October is ADHD Awareness Month, and the theme is “Awareness is Key”. How important is awareness? What does ADHD awareness mean to you?
Awareness is important as it’s usually the first step. Action can’t take place unless the broader community is not only aware of ADHD, but also how it impacts someone that has it.
For me, Awareness is Key to unlocking true potential. Once I was aware of my ADHD, I was able to start managing it, and life became easier. Once people around me were aware of my ADHD, they better understood me and were able to navigate it alongside me.
What is an ADHD stereotype/myth that you want to break?
Probably that ADHD is just an excuse for being lazy. Yes, there are things that I put off doing, but watch me do something that I’m passionate about, and I guarantee that I will be doing that thing for hours on end. Once I get task focussed, it is impossible to get me to stop trying to finish that task (trust me, my partner has tried).
What is a tip/hack/strategy that helps you navigate your ADHD?
Introducing a planner helps massively. Whether it’s a calendar, a whiteboard that plans out your week, or a project management tool, using physical planners helps me remember all the things I need to do by what time.
What piece of advice can you share with someone who is just starting their journey in understanding ADHD?
Be patient. Not only with yourself, but the people close to you. For yourself, you are going on a journey that answers all those questions you’ve had about yourself for a long time. It can be hard, but also massively rewarding.
The people around you are also going on this journey with you. It will change their understanding, but they might still get things wrong sometimes, and that’s okay. They’re still in it with you and they are there to help you.
