MAY 2023
Early in March this year, independent Australian publisher Black Inc announced the latest edition in its Growing Up series, to be called Growing Up Neurodivergent in Australia. Black Inc released a call for public submissions...but that's where things started to go wrong. Black Inc required that all contributors must "have been diagnosed as neurodivergent". When questions were raised about this requirement, Black Inc doubled down by stating that "to be ethically responsible...we are only inviting submissions from people with a medical diagnosis". The project is now on hold while the publisher is "considering all the options". So, why is the requirement for a medical diagnosis a problem? It will be no suprise to adults with ADHD that formal diagnosis is a long, expensive, difficult and aguably highly inequitable process with wide variability in availability, accessability and provision. Add to these systemic hurdles the challenges of actually being neurodivergent, and it's little wonder that many adults with ADHD are mis-diagnosed by, or opt out of pursuing, medical diagnosis. Using a medical diagnosis as a gatekeeper for the legitimacy of neurodivergent Australians is unquestionably discriminatory. Adelaide Adult ADHD acknowledges the validity and value of self-diagnosed adult ADHD and of the experiences of adults with self-diagnosed ADHD. You are seen, and you matter.
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where your community is Adult ADHD can be a very isolating experience. Go looking for research into understanding and managing adult ADHD and this sense of alone-ness can morph into a sense of hopelessness - there is so little out there, so does that mean nobody is interested or trying to help? If you are feeling this way, we are thrilled to provide you with evidence that there is reason to keep hoping for better futures. An Adelaide reseracher has reached out to Adelaide Adult ADHD about investigating the differences that music education can make on the outcomes for adults of ADHD. The research may also extend to exploring how much ADHD is influenced by biological, personality and temperament compared to social conditioning (such as social media). While the research is only at the stage of seeking grant funding for a short-term project, the hope is that initial results will lead to extension of the grant to fund a deeper 3 year investigation. We are genuinely delighted that this topic is receiving research attention, and that we have the opportunity to connect the work with the Adelaide Adult ADHD community. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!
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Last updated 31/3/23. Responses included: 89
Last updated 31/3/23 Responses included: 89
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