ADHD / Neurodiversity

[Rowls]

Our experience of navigating the school system and SEN provision for our daughter has been a never ending carousel of let downs and agonising waits thanks to a completely underfunded and overstretched county council.

Absolutely nothing to do with claiming benefits, and everything to do with getting adequate support for the kids at the place they spend 30+ hours a week

Hi Walton

It's great to hear that, for you and your family at least, getting a diagnosis for ADHD isn't anything to do with benefits.

But just because we have the good fortune to self-sufficient we shouldn't dismiss or denigrate those families less fortunate than ours for whom a diagnosis of ADHD might be a crucial step in getting benefits or extra benefits if they're already receiving welfare payments.

For example, the child might qualify for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children. This is broken down into a 'Care Component' for looking after the child and a 'Mobility Component' for help getting the child around. In extreme cases (around 137,000 children receive the qualifying higher rate mobility component) this entitles the family to a free new car via the motability scheme. Not only does this help keep the British car industry going it also helps these families avoid using public transport.

On top of this the family might also be able to claim other benefits such as Carer's Allowance, Universal Credit (Child Disability Element), Council Tax Benefit and perhaps even a coveted Blue Badge for those spots in the supermarket carpark next to the door.

And once entitlement to these benefits is established, additional support such as help with utility bills, cold weather payments, free schools meals, free school uniforms, help with school trips, free school buses and vouchers for fruit, vegetables and formula milk also kick in.

So as you can see, for some families it can mean the world of difference to get that all important diagnosis confirmed. Just because it's nothing to do with claiming benefits for ourselves, we shouldn't dismiss the cases of those for whom it is a crucial gateway to the benefit system.

[Rowls]

Oh, and if the child receives the middle or higher rate of the 'Care Component' of Child DLA for their ADHD then being classed as a the child's carer and claiming the Carer's Allowance benefit can become the primary cause to claim Universal Credit, meaning the adult with caring responsibilities can be exempt from the requirement to look for work whilst in exchange for welfare payments.

Essentially, a family's entire income can hinge on the diagnosis of ADHD in a child so it's clearly very, very important to a lot of families and not to be dismissed.

[Rowls]

...we have got from someone sharing an event for awareness about a group with protected characteristics under the Equality Act and people candidly sharing their own personal situations, to an unsolicited point of view(s) about the pathology of neurodiverse conditions and Big Pharma.

Hi Massivefloodlights

Just a point of order regarding your post.

I'm not entirely convinced the talk is entirely to "raise awareness". It appears to be more akin to a book launch or a sales pitch for a book, with an accompanying talk about ADHD. Obviously, that's how you sell books -no harm in this- but it's not some kind of equivalent of a public information film.

The talk is being given by the authors of the book. They're obviously fairly expert on the subject of ADHD but that shouldn't mean we assume their opinions on the matter are implacable.

In fact, if one takes a look at the website of the private company who have arranged the talk, you'll see that they organise a number of talks on a range of subjects including talks that appear to be promoting the use of illegal psychedelic drugs - namely psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and MDMA (ecstasy). See below for details:

https://www.seedtalks.co.uk/our-talks

It does seem to be odd that a company promoting awareness of ADHD also appears to be presenting the clinic possibilities of psychedelics and other illegal drugs in a positive light, but it certainly is interesting. There's certainly a lot of interesting looking talks they give.

Obviously, medication for ADHD has to be approved by the NHS for use so we can have strong faith in their safeguards etc. even if the long terms effects of such medications are under constant scrutiny. However we might like to make a mental note that the company promoting this ticket event talk (and the accompanying book launch) clearly has a political agenda in promoting the use of psychedelic drugs as well as giving talks on a range of other illegal substances.

If anybody would like to meet the team promoting the ADHD evening (and promoting the book!) then click the link below:

https://www.seedtalks.co.uk/who-we-are

[Caernarfon_Claret]

I like the way your are now using the dichotomy neurotypical/neurodiverse as othering groups to make your points.

It's an interesting article but not very scientific. Ian Hacking is a well known social constructivist influenced by Wittgenstein and Po Mos like Foucault. etc. It is at the point where social scientists stray into the biological cognitive sciences with epistemic perspectives like social constructivism that you start to have problems.

You obviously didn’t get my non verbal communication - I don’t actually think anyone is neurotypical - all brains are unique - some just have more difficulty negotiating the frameworks that our society has constructed… I could elaborate but I’m sure you get the picture.

[Rowls]

More news about the book promotion talk!

The book is personally approved and recommended by Tom Watson. What does Tom Watson have to say to help promote the book? Look no further:

Essential reading for anyone looking to understand and live well with ADHD

He's even got his name on the front cover.

"Who the heck is Tom Watson?" might be the question those of you who aren't political nerds are asking.

Tom Watson is an ex-MP who publicly promoted a series of false sex abuse claims made by the fantasist and peadophile, Carl Beech. That Tom Watson.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49086717

[Rowls]

They're certainly well connected, these Seed Talk people.

[Goliath]

Personally agree with those who say we're too quick to label kids these days. Its an easy excuse for some useless parents who make no effort and let their kids run riot to claim "he's got ADHD".
Also feels like kids who just happen to be a bit quieter get labelled with "anxiety", when there's absolutely nothing wrong with them.

Jesus Christ. How one earth can you decide whether a kid has anxiety just by looking at them or seeing they are a bit quiet. It manifests in different ways which will be assessed before any diagnosis takes place.

For example, are you aware of the huge fear many have of talking on the phone? That's just one example of social anxiety which can seriously damage a person's career and self esteem. It's nothing to do with just being a bit quieter

[ClaretPete001]

You obviously didn’t get my non verbal communication - I don’t actually think anyone is neurotypical - all brains are unique - some just have more difficulty negotiating the frameworks that our society has constructed… I could elaborate but I’m sure you get the picture.

I do get the picture and appreciate your approach to debate but almost 40 per cent of all children in Burnley live in relative poverty whose household income is 60 per cent below the median. Quite literally the environment is shaping their cognition to exist within a structure that is detrimental to them...! Their brains are no less real for being socially constructed. Hacking and others can theorise as they will but the real science of cognition is biological and we know almost nothing of the brain.

Wittgenstein said: reality is shaped by the words we use. And on that note, I've said more than I should on this thread so I'll leave it there.