Lexi Webster
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects an individual's behaviour and ability to pay attention. In Australia, ADHD is not considered a disability by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and therefore does not qualify for NDIS coverage. However, ADHD patients can still benefit from NDIS services if they meet the eligibility criteria, which includes having a permanent disability that significantly impacts their ability to participate in everyday activities. In Western Australia, organisations like ADHD WA provide support and resources for individuals and families affected by ADHD. While ADHD is not considered a life-threatening disorder, it can lead to severe complications when left untreated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prevalence | ADHD affects around 6% of the national population, including children, adolescents, and adults. It is estimated that there are at least 800,000 Australians living with ADHD. |
| Symptoms | Inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. This can manifest as difficulty sitting still, paying attention, or controlling impulsive behavior. |
| Impact | ADHD can interfere with everyday life, including home, academic, social, and work environments. It can lead to difficulties in attention, impulse control, and behavior, with varying levels of impact on individuals. |
| Treatment | Medication and therapy can help manage symptoms and allow individuals to lead normal lives. |
| Disability Status | ADHD is not considered a permanent disability or impairment by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). However, individuals with ADHD may still receive NDIS funding and support if they meet eligibility and disability access requirements. |
| Legal Protection | The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) legally protects the rights of people with ADHD in Australia if their condition is classed as a disability according to the specified criteria. |
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What You'll Learn
ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder
ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way the brain grows and develops. It is characterised by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. This can manifest as difficulty sitting still, paying attention, or controlling impulsive behaviour. ADHD is typically first diagnosed in childhood, with symptoms often persisting into adulthood. The diagnosis is made by a qualified healthcare professional and involves taking a detailed developmental and psychosocial history, observing the child, and using standardised questionnaires and psychological tests.
As a neurodevelopmental disorder, ADHD is associated with the early onset of symptoms in life, genetic background, gene-environment interaction, neuropsychological deficits, and differences in brain development compared to individuals without ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD can vary with developmental maturity. For example, a preschool child with ADHD may exhibit excessive activity across most situations, while an adolescent may be more fidgety and struggle with maintaining attention in class.
The impact of ADHD on individuals can vary significantly. While some individuals may experience pervasive and persistent symptoms that interfere with their daily lives in various domains, others may experience a decrease in symptoms over time and no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for the disorder. It is estimated that ADHD can persist into adulthood in approximately 2-5% of cases.
In Western Australia, ADHD WA is a not-for-profit organisation that provides support and services to individuals and families affected by ADHD. They work closely with ADHD specialists to inform, support, and advocate for those living with ADHD in the region. Additionally, they provide comprehensive assessment services and recommendations to help improve the skills and wellbeing of their members.
In Australia, individuals with ADHD are legally protected under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA). For a person's ADHD to be classed as a disability according to the DDA, it must meet specific criteria, including total or partial loss of bodily or mental functions, a disorder resulting in different learning methods compared to those without the disorder, or a disorder affecting thought processes, perception, emotions, or judgement.
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The Disability Discrimination Act 1992
In Australia, for a person's ADHD to be considered a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), it must meet the DDA's disability definition criteria. According to the DDA, a disability is defined as a:
- Total or partial loss of the person's bodily or mental functions;
- A disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction; or
- A disorder, illness, or disease that affects a person's thought processes, perception of reality, emotions, or judgment, or that results in disturbed behaviour.
ADHD is a neurobiological condition characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. This can manifest as difficulty sitting still, paying attention, or controlling impulsive behaviour. For some individuals, ADHD can significantly impact their daily lives, including their home, academic, social, and work environments.
The DDA provides legal protection against discrimination for people with ADHD in Australia. It ensures that individuals with ADHD have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else in areas such as employment, education, and access to services and facilities. The Act also covers discrimination related to carers, assistants, assistance animals, and disability aids associated with ADHD.
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National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
In Australia, a person's ADHD must meet the criteria specified in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) to be legally considered a disability. The criteria relevant to people with ADHD include:
- Total or partial loss of the person's bodily or mental functions.
- A disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder.
- A disorder that affects a person's thought processes, perception of reality, emotions, or judgement, or results in disturbed behaviour.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian Government scheme that funds reasonable and necessary support for people with significant and permanent disabilities under the age of 65. The scheme was introduced in 2013 following advocacy from disability groups and is governed by the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 ("NDIS Act"). The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) administers the scheme as part of the Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing, and it is overseen by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
The NDIS model allocates funding directly to individuals or their guardians, who can then purchase goods and services from suppliers. The scheme is entirely publicly funded and is not means-tested. There are two main entry points to the NDIS: Early Childhood Early Intervention for those under 6 and the general scheme for those between 6 and 65. As of 2015, the NDIS had assisted 20,000 people with disabilities, with a goal of increasing participation to 410,000.
In 2024, legislation was passed to reform the NDIS to better manage costs and improve the efficacy of the supports provided. This included improving regulatory and evidence-based purchasing mechanisms, revising local linkage services, and reforming NDIS pricing for greater transparency and predictability.
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The impact of ADHD on daily life
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects an individual's daily life in multiple ways. The condition is characterised by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, which can interfere with everyday tasks and interactions. While the specific impact of ADHD varies from person to person, there are several common ways in which the disorder affects daily life.
One of the primary challenges faced by individuals with ADHD is difficulty with focus and attention. This can manifest as a struggle to stay focused on tasks, follow through on instructions, or pay attention during conversations. Consequently, individuals with ADHD may experience challenges in educational and work settings, leading to lower academic achievement and employment rates. They may also find it hard to manage time effectively, resulting in missed deadlines and difficulties in organisation and time management.
ADHD can also affect an individual's relationships and social life. Communication challenges, forgetfulness, and lack of focus can create tension in personal relationships. Additionally, the disorder can impact an individual's sex life, causing a lack of patience and difficulty maintaining attention and communication with their partner.
The impact of ADHD extends beyond the individual and can also affect their families, partners, friends, and colleagues. It is associated with increased stress and anxiety for both the person with ADHD and those around them. The disorder can lead to a cycle of clutter and disorganisation, causing further disruption to daily tasks and contributing to feelings of overwhelm. Additionally, individuals with ADHD may struggle with emotional regulation and experience difficulty letting go of items due to emotional attachments.
ADHD can also increase the risk of serious road traffic accidents and is linked to lower self-esteem and self-confidence. It is important to note that with proper support and treatment, many people with ADHD can function extremely well and lead fulfilling lives. Counselling and therapy can help individuals with ADHD understand their condition and develop personalised strategies to manage their daily challenges.
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Treatment and management of ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can often be managed with the right treatment. Treatment recommendations vary by age group. The primary goal of treatment is to minimize the impact of ADHD symptoms on patient function while maximizing the patient’s ability to compensate or cope with any remaining difficulties. It is important to manage expectations of treatment and to promote a sense of responsibility and personal agency in patients.
Behaviour therapy is an important part of treatment for children with ADHD. The goals of behaviour therapy are to learn or strengthen positive behaviours and eliminate unwanted or problem behaviours. Behaviour therapy can include creating a routine, getting organized, and managing distractions. For children younger than 6 years of age, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parent training in behaviour management as the first line of treatment. For children 6 years of age and older, the recommendations include medication and behaviour therapy together—parent training in behaviour management for children up to age 12 and other types of behaviour therapy and training for adolescents. Schools can be part of the treatment as well. AAP recommendations also include adding behavioural classroom intervention and school supports.
Several types of behaviour therapies are considered effective, including organizational skills training. These approaches are often most effective if they are used together, depending on the needs of the individual child and the family. Parents, healthcare providers, and the school can work together on developing the right treatment plan. Medication can help children manage their ADHD symptoms in their everyday life and can help them control the behaviours that cause difficulties with family, friends, and at school. However, young children have more side effects from ADHD medications than older children, and the long-term effects of these medications on young children have not been well-studied.
Most adult patients with ADHD can benefit from education about ADHD, skill-building training, and adjuvant psychotherapy. A variety of self-help resources such as books, websites, and apps exist for adults with ADHD. Methylphenidate and amphetamine are the two most commonly used stimulant medications for the treatment of ADHD in adults. They both affect dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake in certain parts of the brain and, as a result, increase the number of these neurotransmitters to facilitate brain functioning. While methylphenidate and amphetamine have different mechanisms of action in the brain, they generally have a similar effect in terms of improvement of ADHD symptoms. Atomoxetine (Strattera) is currently the only non-stimulant medication approved for the treatment of ADHD in adults.
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Frequently asked questions
ADHD is not considered a disability in Western Australia or the rest of the country. However, it is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect brain function, including attention, impulse control, and behaviour.
It is estimated that about 5-6% of Australians have ADHD, with the condition affecting around 6-10% of children and adolescents and 2-6% of adults.
According to the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), a disability is defined as a total or partial loss of bodily or mental functions, a disorder that results in different learning compared to those without it, or a condition that affects thought processes, perception, emotions, or judgment.
ADHD is not on the list of NDIS-approved disabilities. However, individuals with ADHD may still receive funding and support from the NDIS if they meet the eligibility criteria, which includes having a permanent disability that significantly impacts their daily activities.
ADHD WA is a non-profit organisation that provides support, services, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by ADHD in Western Australia. Other organisations such as the ADHD Foundation and ADHD Australia can also offer guidance and support.
