ADHD Advocacy
Live life in integrity with who you really are.
Know your rights and get the support you are entitled to
Many ADHDers simply aren't aware of their rights or the support they are entitled to. As a consequence, many ADHDers struggle in school or at work and suffer discrimination.
We help people with ADHD and their families understand their legal rights, empowering them to advocate for the support they need to succeed.
We provide advocacy support in 90 minute consultations with an informed ADHD Advocate. If you'd like to make an enquiry or book a consultation, get in touch.
We provide advocacy support for...
Advocacy for Families
We have noticed that many families are not even aware of what support is available to their children at school and that many schools don't know what support they are legally obliged to provide to their pupils. As a result, many of these children do not receive what they are entitled to under law, and more importantly, what they deserve in order to learn and grow.
We advise families about their rights and inform schools about their obligations. This ensures that these often gifted and very bright children get what they need to fulfill their exceptional promise.
Support options available
The main problem is that there is a dire lack of funding in schools, which means too few teaching assistants and little to no access to things like occupational and speech therapy for children with ADHD. One solution to this is obtaining an EHCP. An EHCP can even fund ADHD Coaching for children and teenagers if the psychiatrist recommends it. Unfortunately, obtaining an EHCP can be a difficult process, but we can help.
Whilst our ADHD Advocates are no longer practicing lawyers, they specialise in Education Law, particularly the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities ("SEND") legal framework, with a focus on ADHD. They can also help in cases where kids are at risk of being excluded from school or from school trips and extra-curricular activities.
Leaning on the law
The law should really be the last resort so we don’t go in there with guns blazing! We first aim for education, collaboration, and building good relationships. If this approach fails, then knowing your legal rights is crucial for you to get what you or your child need to thrive.
We have a great webinar you can watch for more information:
How we can help
We can help with advising parents of children with SEND in relation to:
- Education, Health and Care Plans
- Exclusions
- Reasonable Adjustments
- Discrimination in Schools
We provide advocacy support for families in 90 minute consultations with an informed ADHD Advocate.
Get in touch to book a consultation!
What our clients say:
"Invaluable and brilliant support and advice through the process of dealing with the Local Authority ... Provided me with an extensive framework to write a full and effective response to the initial proposed provision ... Their Educational legal expertise is fantastic and they have strong knowledge and understanding of how SEN works within schools and local authorities ... Transformed my daughter’s life."
- Parent of a child with SEND
Advocacy for University Students
Students with ADHD are often very intelligent, creative, innovative and hard-working individuals but many of them struggle to stay in University and complete their degrees as a result of not getting the support that they need. This is primarily due to a lack of understanding of their unique brain wiring.
Due to ADHD challenges of hyperactivity, impulsivity, distractibility, emotional dysregulation and executive function impairment, despite their best efforts (which are often misconstrued), these students struggle to meet expectations, including their own. Not unsurprisingly, these students quickly become frustrated and give up, dropping out of University.
Many ADHD students aren't aware of their rights under law to not be discriminated against and obtain support at university. We can help university students understand their rights and get the support they need.
Support options available
Many of the challenges faced by ADHDers at university be mitigated by improved by the provision of reasonable adjustments to help with the ways their ADHD is affecting their studies. Here are some examples of reasonable adjustments that ADHDers may negotiate with their university:
- Taking short breaks during contact hours to help with focus
- Access to quiet study spaces to mitigate distraction
- Extra time, quite space or use of a computer to type during examinations
- Accessible course materials such as lecture recordings, written instructions or class handouts
- Written notes made during meetings and sent out to prevent things being forgotten
Disability Student Allowance (DSA)
There is also the option to have some reasonable adjustments and practical aids covered under the Government’s Disability Student Allowance scheme. Check out our Funding Information page to learn more.
How we can help
We can help with advising students with ADHD in relation to:
- Understanding Your Rights Against Disability Discrimination
- Obtaining Reasonable Adjustments
- Recommending Assistive Technology or Practical Aids
- Understanding and Applying for DSA
- Applying for Deadline Extensions and Mitigating Circumstances
Get in touch to book a consultation!
What our clients say:
"With their help and guidance, I was able to excel in my degree and I managed to obtain a first. I could not have done this without The ADHD Advocate and their continual encouragement, and they were instrumental in providing me with belief in myself to complete my degree and advocating on my behalf to help me get all the support from the university that I needed. Honestly, it is hard to put into words the monumental impact they have had on my life."
- University Student with ADHD
Advocacy for Employees
Many adults with ADHD face challenges at work as a result of their ADHD. Often these challenges are a result of a lack of support from their employer or colleagues, and can be mitigated by improved communication and the provision of reasonable adjustments to help with their ADHD. Here are some examples of reasonable adjustments that ADHDers may negotiate with their employer:
- Taking short breaks throughout the day to help with focus
- Permission to work from home or flexibly to mitigate office distractions
- Setting multiple deadlines and accountability
- Help with planning and prioritisation of tasks
- Written notes made during meetings and sent out to prevent things being forgotten
Access to Work scheme
Some workplace adjustments and aids for ADHDers are covered under the Government’s Access to Work scheme, including Workplace ADHD Coaching and ADHD Awareness Training. Check out our Funding Information page to learn more.
Workplace discrimination
In some cases ADHDers may experience discrimination because of their condition, such as bullying in the workplace or even wrongful dismissal.
ADHD is classed as a “Disability” under The Equality Act 2010 and our ADHD Advocates can assist in reminding employers of their obligations to support, protect and respect their ADHD employees.
We also provide bespoke Workplace ADHD Awareness Training which can help improve the understanding of ADHD within organisations.
How we can help
We can help with advising employees with ADHD in relation to:
- Understanding Your Rights Against Disability Discrimination
- Obtaining Reasonable Adjustments
- Discrimination in the Workplace
- Preparing for Tribunal
We provide advocacy support for families in 90 minute consultations with an informed ADHD Advocate.
Get in touch to book a consultation!