Useful links
The following are useful websites and organisations.
About ADHD
NHS Inform (from NHS Scotland)
A brief overview of the condition
Overview of drug and other treatments, reviewed by expert Professor David Coghill. [Note that it was published before the non-stimulant Intuniv (guanfacine) was licensed for ADHD in the UK.]
BBC Horizon documentary
A 30 minute documentary with Rory Bremner from BBC Radio 4
Dr Thomas Brown, ADHD expert from Yale in the USA, explains what 'executive functioning' is and how it is affected in ADHD. You can also watch his videos explaining the science of ADHD here.
American site offering lots of useful information and articles about ADHD.
YouTube site by Jessica offering her entertaining videos about living with ADHD.
Other ADHD organisations
Liverpool based charity offering support, training and a big annual conference.
New charity - their website has some useful videos by Dr Max Davie, ADHD Specialist from Guys and St Thomas' Hospital in London.
Edinburgh based organisation supporting parents of children with all kinds of learning difficulties, including ADHD,
National organisation offering free confidential online and telephone support to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person up to 25 years old.
Website written by and for adults with ADHD across the UK.
Alliance of health professionals working in ADHD, but has a useful Q&A section about the condition.
ADHD in Scotland - service guidelines and reports
Services over Scotland report 2012
Report by Health Improvement Scotland following up on earlier work and giving an overview of ADHD diagnosis rates and services across the country.
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidance on how ADHD should be diagnosed, treated and managed in the NHS in Scotland (published October 2009). They have also produced a specific parent version of the guideline in leaflet form, covering only medication - which you can read here.
Similar to the SIGN guideline, but covering NHS services in England, the NICE guideline on ADHD (last updated February 2016) explains what the research evidence says about how ADHD should be diagnosed and treated.
Disability benefits to help with children with ADHD
Some children with ADHD need a lot of extra help and support with activities such as getting up, going to bed, getting dressed and out of the door, and when they are outside require extra supervision and support. If they need a lot more help than a child of a similar age, they may qualify for Disability Living Allowance which is a non means-tested benefit - this can help with all kinds of expenses which arise as a result of having a child with a disability. Carers of children receiving DLA may also qualify for Carer's Allowance (provided they are earning less than £110 a week).
Download the presentation from the February 2016 ADHD Group
Our February meeting went over these benefits and how to claim for them if appropriate. You can download the presentation here - please contact the support group for extra information and help if you need to.
Cerebra have produced an excellent guide and video for parents of children with all kinds of neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD. See it by clicking here.
ADHD and education
Many children with ADHD find school a challenging place to be and need additional support, and as a parent you have the right to ask the education authorities to assess and meet your child's needs in school.
is the national advice service for Scotland on additional support needs in school, and they have lots of useful information on their website about what you can expect and ask for as a parent. They also have a helpline on 0345 123 2303.
Education Scotland guidance on additional support needs
A guide to what the Additional Support for Learning Act means about how education services should support pupils who need extra support - including those with ADHD.
A leaflet explaining the rights of young people in Glasgow's schools.
The Education Law Unit at Govan Law Centre provide expert legal representation to parents and pupils whose needs may not be being appropriately met. They also provide a free service 'Let's talk Additional Support Needs, in partnership with the charity Kindred.
