For individuals with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and those who support them, it can be challenging to know how to support the needs of a neurodiverse person, especially because the expression of ADHD can vary between individuals.
Here you will find key information about ADHD, Curtin鈥檚 support services and where to find additional ADHD information, support and resources.
What is ADHD?
Individuals with ADHD have a life-long neurodevelopmental condition that affects their brain’s reward centre and executive functions at varying levels. However, which part, how and at what level the reward centre and executive functions are affected varies amongst individuals.
Research has grouped the most common presentations of ADHD into three types: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, and a combination of inattention, and hyperactivity and impulsivity. With , it’s important for those living with ADHD and those who support them to understand the strengths and challenges of their neurodiverse brain. 听
Some ADHD-related strengths include
Being energetic.听For those with hyperactivity, they can听learn to听channel their extra energy听towards听enjoyable activities, such as sports, music, study, or work.听听
Being听able to turn their impulsivity into spontaneity. For those with impulsivity control issues, they can be more听open to new experiences and break free from the听status quo.听听
Being creative and inventive.听Their neurodiverse brain lends them a unique perspective听that听can lead to creative听problem solving.听听
Having the听superpower of being able to become hyper-focused.听So,听when given a task they are invested in they听can听work on it until completion without breaking concentration.听听
However, Individuals with ADHD can struggle with anxiety, mood and emotional regulation, learning difficulties, addiction, and relationship difficulties and thus can benefit from additional support.
Support at Curtin
Use听the support听network听at Curtin听University听to learn听how to effectively听understand听and manage your听ADHD听symptoms听and听tailor your听practices听to flourish with your听neurodiverse听brain.听Professional confidentiality is taken seriously at Curtin’s Psychological and Counselling Services, so any information discussed will remain private unless you or others are in danger or if legally obligated to disclose.
Seeing a GP听can be听an excellent first step to learning about ADHD,听your support options, and gaining a referral for a听formal听ADHD diagnosis.听听with one of our GPs. Visit听our听health services听website for more information about听our听services.听
Attend one of听our听group听programs and workshops to connect with like-minded people, learn听about听evidence-based psychological science and support, bust myths and stigma around mental health听and neurodiversity,听and听learn practical skills听to self-manage听your health and wellbeing.听
If you have had a formal ADHD diagnosis by a doctor or qualified听heath听professional,听you can book an appointment with one of our听AccessAbility听advisors to听develop a听Curtin Access Plan (CAP).
A Curtin Access Plan听is听a document that outlines the type and level of support you require at Curtin.听Visit听our听disability & accessibility support听website for more information about the service.听听
While our services cannot provide you with an听ADHD听diagnosis, we can provide you with psychological and counselling support to help you manage the challenges you experience related to your听experience of ADHD.听听
Working听through these issues with a听qualified health听professional can be an invaluable source of support.听Book an appointmentwith one of our psychology trained counsellors.听
Many students with ADHD find structuring an essay (or research project) or answering an ambiguous question difficult.听Check out听Curtin’s听UniSkill听programs and library workshops听for your academic听and study听needs while at Curtin, both online and on-campus.听
Explore the extensive range of clinical听services听the Curtin听clinics has听to offer.听From speech pathology and exercise programs听to physiotherapy and psychology, they听offer a range of services for children and adults听open to the public.
Visit the for more information about their services.
An excellent way to become more present, connect with people,听and look after your overall health and wellbeing is to exercise.听Explore the听range听of sports and recreation听programs,听social and听competitive听opportunities, and fitness听memberships听Curtin sport and recreation has to offer.
Visit the sport and recreation website for more information about what’s on and how to register.
Additional resources on ADHD
A collection of links to evidence-based information about ADHD.听
Provides support, information, and advocacy services for people with ADHD or associated conditions.听听
