Contributors: Ryan Peacock, former DSA Centre Manager and Assessor and Product Specialist for MeisterTask and MindMeister.

According to the ADHD Foundation, of the 20% of the UK population that are neurodiverse, 1 in 20 are impacted by ADHD. That number is set to rise inevitably, as they have also estimated a 400% increase in the number of adults seeking a diagnosis since 2020 in the UK. At Aventido we believe ADHD should be understood, accepted and celebrated!

Both children and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are often known for their boundless creativity, resilience and compassion. Not only can those with ADHD be known to “think outside the box”, but they can often come up with ingenious ways of solving problems as well as easily working and socialising with those around them due to their ability to deeply empathise with others and generate excitement and motivation amongst their peers.

A little bit about ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Did you know that ADHD is classified into 3 types of behaviours and characteristics?

Inattentive Type

Studies have revealed that females are more likely to be diagnosed with inattentive ADHD than males.

Symptoms may include; missing details and being distracted easily, getting bored quickly, having trouble focusing on a single task, difficulty organising thoughts and learning new information, being described as being a “daydreamer”, processing information at a slower pace, remembering things inaccurately, trouble following instructions or directions.

Hyperactive and Impulsive Type

In comparison to inattentive ADHD, those with hyperactive and impulsive ADHD are often seen as disruptive, loud and high-energy. Contrary to inattentive ADHD, more males are diagnosed with this type of ADHD than females.

Symptoms may include: Feeling restless or fidgety, difficulty keeping still, talking constantly, feeling the need to touch or play with something in their hands during tasks, having trouble engaging in quiet activities, being described as “constantly on the go”, appearing impatient, acting out of turn or character without thinking about consequences beforehand.

Everyone is different and can experience varied symptoms between different types of ADHD including being diagnosed with Combined ADHD. So it’s helpful for those with both formal or informal diagnoses to recognise and note down which symptoms affect their daily life. This enables those individuals to explore how they can work more effectively with their brain and behaviour, to create a more harmonious and productive way of learning, working and living.

Types of support available for ADHD

ADHD will affect a person’s way of life in every aspect, including education and work. Both children and adults with ADHD are likely to have challenging experiences in both the classroom and workplace; so what can we do as a society to create accessible spaces that work for those with ADHD, not against them?

Along with an accepting and positive attitude, clear communication and inclusive practices, as well as a commitment to ongoing education around attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, assistive technology can also be a valuable resource for effective and productive tools for those with neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD.

While costs may be a worry for most, there are government schemes in the UK such as the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) and the Access To Work Scheme that can cover some of the costs for students and employees with ADHD to access assistive technology.

Keeping in mind that adults currently seeking a formal ADHD diagnosis could be waiting 6 months plus on average for an assessment*, individuals going through the Access To Work scheme don’t need a formal diagnosis to access help and funding.### How MeisterTask and MindMeister work for ADHD

Two proven solutions we highly recommend are MindMeister and MeisterTask! Those with ADHD are often celebrated due to their high levels of creativity and energy. With the right tools such as MindMeister and MeisterTask, these attributes can be channelled into creating beyond-brilliant projects that instil pride, confidence and joy in the users themselves.

Before compiling projects and tasks together, MindMeister can be used to brainstorm, collect ideas and data and even create presentations. Offering features such as drawing connections between branches, adding comments, notes and attachments and personalising maps with specialised layouts and colours, MindMeister gives the user everything they need to conceptualise and explore brilliant ideas efficiently.