Some services require a formal diagnosis of autism or ADHD – but there is much parents and carers can do to support their child and their own wellbeing.
For those who need it, Adderall and other stimulants can be game-changing medications that help restore the chemical imbalances underlying ADHD. But for those who don’t, these drugs can be harmful.
Parents and carers might be worried a child is slow to talk or can’t seem to maintain attention. But getting a proper assessment can take years and connecting to support, even longer.
People with neurodevelopmental conditions are more likely to suffer from mental health problems.
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Masking or camouflaging is where people conceal certain traits and replace them with neurotypical ones to avoid being recognised as visibly neurodiverse.
Anxiety is the most common mental health issue facing children and adolescents. But research shows that early screening – including in school settings – can identify children who are at risk.
The risk of experiencing harm online is real, especially for children – but decades of research don’t support the alarmist tropes used in these conversations.
Prescriptions for ADHD medications have doubled in the last decade in Australia. Medication is the best treatment for ADHD, however non-medicated treatments are also helpful.
In determining eligibility, the NDIS should focus on who an individual is – their strengths, challenges and functional capacity – rather than what diagnosis they may have.
If you think you have ADHD, getting a diagnosis can be a long, frustrating and often expensive process. But it can give you access to treatments and change how you see yourself.