A MUM in Reading is calling for more support from the government for parents of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Andrea Jones is appealing for better help for families with children living with the disorder as ADHD Awareness Month continues through October.
It comes also as research carried out by University College London found that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnosis and prescriptions for ADHD medication have increased significantly over the past two decades.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence estimates that only 600,000 of approximately 2.6 million people in the UK have been formally diagnosed as having the disorder.
Between three and four of every 100 people living in the UK are thought to have ADHD, with children making up only around 5% of those affected.
ADHD is more common in boys than girls, with three times as many boys diagnosed than girls.
Ms Jones set up her own beauty therapy business so that she could work at home, setting her own working hours, to better work around looking after her daughter Mia, who lives with the condition.
Ms Jones said: “There seems to be a common misconception that it is mostly children who are affected by ADHD.
“But those children will take ADHD into their adult life, and there should be more awareness of the condition to help parents give their child the appropriate care.
“Being a parent is challenging enough, but when you have a child with ADHD it creates an additional set of responsibilities.”
She added: “It does help when there is a diagnosis, but with so many children going undiagnosed, I do think there should be more information for parents regarding what signs to look out for if they notice certain behaviour patterns with their child–and more support and advice to help parents provide appropriate care if their child has ADHD.
“It can have a negative impact on parents psychologically if they and other parents perceive their child to be disruptive and badly behaved.
“More awareness about ADHD will lead to more children being diagnosed – and will also provide reassurance to parents who might be experiencing feelings of guilt and anxiety about their child acting a certain way.”
She is also encouraging those seeking advice to contact her as part of efforts to further raise awarness via: info@andreadanielleuk.com
