Live updates: Em Rusciano to spotlight ADHD at National Press Club as our experts answer your questions
National Press Club #NationalPressClub
Got a question about ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? Join our expert panel as they answer your burning questions following Em Rusciano’s National Press Club address.
Follow our live blog for the latest updates.
5m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 4:33am
By Jessica Riga
How can the government best support private practice psychologists ?
How can the government best support private practice psychologists to be able to do the rigorous assessments needed for diagnosis, rather than relying on huge costs to the individual or family? (Full disclosure, I’m a child psychologist in private practice).
– Joan Caelli
Hi Joan, thanks for joining us today and for sending in your question.
Here’s what Dr Madelyn Derrick says:
Funding for training, and for reimbursing and incentivising multi-disciplinary practice and collaboration in the private setting. The rigorous assessment process could become a lot more efficient with multiple sets of hands on deck (at different pay grades, and with different extent of demand). Current Medicare items don’t allow for this currently but some changes there would be likely to ease the bottle necks and be more cost effective to the public purse.
9m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 4:29am
By Jessica Riga
How does Em Rusciano bring herself back on track?
How do you bring yourself back on track if you got distracted while doing something? – Ella
Here’s Em Rusciano:
“I mean you’re assuming I do!
“I gently steer the ship back towards my original task, I also promise myself a treat for once I’m finished.”
10m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 4:28am
By Jessica Riga
What’s the best way to deal with wanting to constantly change jobs when you have ADHD?
What’s the best way to deal with wanting to constantly change jobs when you have ADHD? Once the excitement at the concept of starting a new job wears off the role just becomes torture. How do you stick with something?
– Rochelle
Hi Rochelle, thanks for writing it. I think a lot of people would relate to your experience.
We’ve put your question to Dr Madelyn Derrick. Here’s what she said:
Knowing your ADHD, knowing what you find interesting and what is boring is key here. And then planning ahead with full acceptance of this (i.e. no more “I’ll just try harder to make it work for me” type of thinking!). You want to ‘lean in’ to your ADHD brain and work with it, rather than setting yourself up to work against it.
Look for roles where there will be frequent injections of novelty — new projects, new directions, new locations, rapid promotion opportunities – these will help. Contract work is good – the gig economy can be a good thing with ADHD. A lot of people with ADHD do end up self-employed for this reason. Autonomy, the authority to choose when to wrap up a task and move on to the next, the ability to do tasks in the way that you need so that you’re not draining your resources doing the boring stuff… combine these with an area of great personal interest one that is in line with your strengths (including those ADHD-related ones) and you will be heading in the right direction.
15m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 4:23am
By Jessica Riga
Suggestions for reasonable work adjustments for those with ADHD?
Any suggestions for reasonable work adjustments for those with ADHD?
– Sarah
Hey Sarah, thanks for writing in.
Here’s what Dr Tamara May says:
Yes! It depends on the person and their job. Reasonable work adjustments might include some of the following. There is also a good resource for employers here.
17m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 4:20am
By Jessica Riga
How does Em Rusciano approach motherhood as someone with ADHD?
How do you approach motherhood as someone with ADHD? What are some of the challenges you’ve faced? – Rochelle
Here’s Em Rusciano:
“My approach has been to ‘hold on for dear life’ and hope I don’t forget anything too important!
“I’ve faced organisational challenges obviously, perhaps subconsciously that’s why I have such huge age gaps between my kids?! I knew deep down I wouldn’t survive the whole three under five life.”
22m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 4:16am
By Jessica Riga
How can women with ADHD beat the stigma?
After a lifestyle of social bewilderment and exhausting masking, l paid privately for an assessment, and my autism was confirmed after 60. Now l’m wondering about ADHD too. As a female l’ve had the possibility of either diagnosis ridiculed by those approached for referrals, because odd or lively boys are still the archetype. The “What’s wrong with you?”/”There’s nothing wrong with you!” disconnect is an agonising aspect of the female neurodivergent experience…. how do we transcend it?
– Lynne
Hi Lynne, thank you for sharing your experience with us.
We’ve put your question to Dr Madelyn Derrick. Here’s what she had to say:
I’m so sorry you’ve had this experience. I understand it can feel really isolating, and be very invalidating and demoralising. There is a community of women like yourself that are worth connecting to — try searching Facebook for ‘women with ADHD’. Searching on the AADitude website will give you some great articles too.
There is a huge amount of awareness raising going on, internationally, around women and ADHD as you are unfortunately not alone in your experience. It will take time for all health professionals to be up to speed.
For now, if you are receiving a negative response, move on to another health professional. It’s not worth the damage to yourself to persist – seeking help needs to be helping with your struggles, not adding to them. If you feel it would help you to have some satisfaction that you did something to try and address the problem, I recommend arming yourself with information to hand out if you receive this type of response again. There are Australian clinical guidelines approved by the NHMRC coming out soon -watch out for them on the AADPA website in a few months time.
25m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 4:12am
By Jessica Riga
How can I be sure I’m actually showing signs of ADHD?
Given that ADHD seems to be the “in” diagnosis at the moment – it feels like everyone at the moment is being diagnosed with it – how can I be sure that I am actually showing signs of ADHD, and not just making my behaviours fit, because I think they fit?
– Jodi
Hi Jodi, thanks for writing in. I think a lot of people will relate to your comment.
Here’s what Dr Tamara May says:
ADHD affects probably around 7% of children and adolescents, but in adulthood far fewer are diagnosed. This is because many children, particularly with the inattentive presentation, didn’t get identified, particularly girls and women.
People were also told they would grow out of their ADHD when they turned 18 which is not the case for most people. That means there are many adults with ADHD who have been missed. If you are not sure, speak to your GP if you want to explore it further.
27m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 4:10am
By Jessica Riga
How different is Em Rusciano’s life post-diagnosis?
How different is your life (or perception of it) post diagnosis and what words of advice would you give to those unsure if they have a similar neuro diverse condition? – Genevieve
Here’s Em Rusciano:
“My diagnosis changed the very core of a lot of the beliefs I had about myself. It gave me a reason for some of the things I have found most challenging about being me.
“My advice is to learn how to advocate for yourself, little by little you can learn how to stop masking and then the exhaustion from trying to fit in to neuro-typical society gets less.”
28m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 4:10am
By Jessica Riga
I’m struggling to get a loved one with ADHD to attend to tasks like basic hygiene. Any tips?
My adult son has only recently been diagnosed with ADHD and I struggle to get him to attend to the basics like personal hygiene and in his surrounds. Does anyone have any recommendations?
– Michael
Hi Michael, thanks for writing in.
Here’s what Dr Tamara May recommends.
This is a really common challenge for many folks who are neurdivergent, as the brain of people with ADHD is generally under-stimulated. That means it can have difficulty doing tasks that aren’t immediately interesting or rewarding for the person.
With ADHD treatment including medication and cognitive-behavioural interventions people can find these tasks less difficult and learn strategies such as making changes in the environment to make it easy.
It might including him getting extra help such as having someone start tasks with him, or even considering whether getting a cleaner is possible.
30m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 4:08am
By Jessica Riga
How does Em Rusciano look after herself amid the expectations of others?
How do you look after your own well-being when so many people have so many expectations of what you can do with your celebrity and ND status? – Callie
Em Rusciano says she puts “iron-clad boundaries” in place.
“I don’t work at night anymore (answering emails I mean), when I’m with my kids — I am with my kids. No more split attention, I set myself up to win more, because I now understand the ways in which I was sabotaging myself.”
30m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 4:07am
By Jessica Riga
How do we tackle the stigma around ADHD in women?
How do we turn around the stigma against women with ADHD and allow them to get the support they need?
– Olivia
Great question Olivia, thanks for asking.
Here’s Professor Mark Bellgrove.
Short Answer: Build awareness that the presentation of symptoms across girls and women can be different. Its unlikely to be the stereotypical pattern that we see in boys. More inattention, more shyness but better social skills that allow them to cope and mask….until they can’t anymore.
Adolescence is likely to be a real trigger point as the social and educational demands start to increase. We need more longitudinal research to know how the presentation changes over development and into adulthood and to work out the best ways to help.
32m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 4:05am
By Jessica Riga
How do I get an ADHD diagnosis as an adult?
How do you got about getting a diagnosis as an adult? I find that if I mention it to a psychiatrist they think I’m faking it or just aren’t interest because I have more pressing depression.
– Lux
Hi Lux, thanks for writing in.
I’ve put this question to Dr Tamara May. Here’s what she said:
Good question. As an adult I would suggest seeing either a psychiatrist who specialises in adult ADHD; or a psychologist experienced in the diagnosis of ADHD.
The important thing is to find one who has experience and knowledge of ADHD.
35m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 4:03am
By Jessica Riga
When did Em Rusciano realise she was neurodiverse?
When did you first realise you were neurodiverse? Like if you always knew, when did you really realise what it meant, or if you were diagnosed as an adult, when did you suspect something? – Liz
Em Rusciano says “I always knew I was wired differently.”
“I saw things from 15 different angles instead of a couple but I didn’t know what it was until I got the diagnosis at 42.
“The pandemic pushed me into going to the doctor because I’d stopped being able to function almost entirely.”
41m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 3:57am
By Jessica Riga
Any tips to help people with ADHD manage their finances?
My partner has ADHD and struggles with balancing finances due to the focus needed. He openly talks about it and it’s a point of weekly frustration for him. Do you have any suggestions or tips to help him? – Anon
Hey Anon, thanks for this. Here’s Dr Madelyn Derrick’s top tip:
Outsource! ‘Trying harder’ often sets people up with ADHD for ongoing failure, and if they do manage to get through the task, they have done it at a huge cost (to their energy, resilience, mood, stress levels etc.).
The smart move is for him to outsource challenging tasks to others, and spend his time and resources on things he’s interested in and good at.
In a partnership you can approach your shared obligations as a team – divvy tasks up according to each of your strengths. Your ‘team’ will perform better overall.
44m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 3:53am
By Jessica Riga
Should the current ADHD diagnostic criteria be updated?
Question for the panel: do you think the current diagnostic criteria should be urgently updated to included a broader spectrum of symptoms and behaviors (including masking) presented by females and adults with ADHD?
– Court
Hi Court, thanks for writing in.
Here’s what Professor Mark Bellgrove had to say:
That is an interesting question. What I actually think is that we first need much more research into ADHD in girls and women. How does it present and how/why are strategies like masking used.
We also need more longitudinal studies to chart the development of girls and close monitoring particularly during adolescence where some of the coping strategies start to break down and symptoms and problems start to emerge. So, I think we need more research before we revise the diagnostic criteria.
49m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 3:48am
By Jessica Riga
How does Em Rusciano contend with being diagnosed later in life?
How do you contend with the grief of being diagnosed with ADHD? Specifically, how do you move past the what-if’s/could-have-been’s, had you been diagnosed as a child? – Olivia
Here’s Em Rusciano’s response:
“I went back and took little Em by the shoulders and told her that she was and always has been enough.
“I also know I perhaps wouldn’t have achieved some of the things I have, if I had’ve been diagnosed earlier.
“I guess that’s the whole point, I’ll never know will I?
“So I have two choices, I can sit in sadness or walk forward with this new knowledge about myself and do my bloody best with it.”
50m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 3:48am
By Jessica Riga
How can I support an employee with ADHD?
Hi. Have just recruited a lady into my team who disclosed she has ADHD during the interview- I really want her to be successful a new management consultant in our firm and wanted to know what is the most important thing I can do to support her and the most important pitfall to avoid in integrating her into our team. – Tony
Hey Tony, thanks for your question. Here’s what Dr Madelyn Derrick recommends:
Firstly, thank you for being so supportive to your new team member!
Some key things that could help:
53m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 3:45am
By Jessica Riga
How has going public with her ADHD diagnosis helped Em Rusciano?
How has going public helped you through your journey of diagnosis and now through your next chapter as a neurodivergent magic brain? – Jo
Here’s Em Rusciano’s reply:
“Going public has allowed me to stop masking parts of myself I always have, find a community of like-minded people and hopefully help others people to feel seen and less alone.
“I don’t know what the next chapter is as I am having to read back through all the other ones and fix all the mistakes and stories I’d told myself about myself, if that makes sense.
“I am still figuring out how to walk through life, now that I can actually do it as my true self.”
53m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 3:45am
By Jessica Riga
Is ADD an incorrect term?
Is ADD considered an incorrect term? I have found it to be outdated and as a combination type (kind of like a pokemon) it seems misleading and confusing. Just interested to hear some better informed discussion on it 🙂 – Kayla
Hi Kayla, thanks for your question.
Here’s Professor Mark Bellgrove.
No the correct term is ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. ADD is an outdated term. We should use ADHD. Check out AADPA’s Talking about ADHD guide.
54m agoWed 24 Aug 2022 at 3:44am
By Jessica Riga
Why isn’t ADHD recognised by the NDIS?
Why isn’t ADHD recognised as a stand alone condition by the NDIS? It is a condition that should be recognised and supported, without the need for co-morbidities to make it valid.
– Amber
Hi Amber, thanks for sending this in. I can see a lot of you asking the same thing.
We’ve put your question to Dr Tamara May. Here’s what she says:
“Good question and I’m not sure there is a good answer. ADHD causes significant functional challenges which impacts on a person’s education, occupation, social relationships, psychological wellbeing, ability to complete activities of daily living and self manage, and ability to enjoy their life like everyone else. I work with people every day who experience significant ongoing difficulties in their life due to their ADHD.
“In my view this meets the criteria for NDIS support.”
Dr Madelyn Derrick “agrees 100%.”
“There is an argument for this amounting to discrimination within neurodevelopmental conditions…”
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