ADHD is a condition that affects people's behaviour.

The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be categorised into 2 types of behavioural problems:

• inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
• hyperactivity and impulsiveness

Many people with ADHD have problems that fall into both these categories, but this is not always the case.

Most cases are diagnosed when children are under 12 years old, but sometimes it's diagnosed later in childhood. Sometimes ADHD was not recognised when someone was a child, and they are diagnosed later as an adult.

ADHD is not an illness

The term “deficit disorder” places ADHD in the realm of disease. Individuals with ADHD do not have a disease, nor do they have a deficit of attention; in fact, what they have is an abundance of attention. The challenge is controlling it.

Watch this video to learn more about ADHD 

Click here to learn more about the symptoms of ADHD

For further advice see the NHS guide to ADHD

Autistic people may act in a different way to other people

Autistic people may:

• find it hard to communicate and interact with other people
• find it hard to understand how other people think or feel
• find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable
• get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events
• take longer to understand information
• do or think the same things over and over

Autism is not an illness

Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease. It means your brain works in a different way from other people. It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older. 

Autism is not a medical condition with treatments or a "cure". But some people need support to help them with certain things.

Watch this video to learn how autism can affect every day life and how you can help support and understand autistic people

Click here to learn more about the signs of autism

For further advice see the NHS guide to Autism

If you are aged 18 or over and think you may have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism, also referred to as Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and want a referral for a diagnostic assessment for either, then please print a version, complete an ADHD/Autism Screening or you can collect a pack from Reception. Please return to Reception when you have answered the questionnaires and input your score. 

Please be advised that for both ADHD and Autism (collectively referred to as Neurodiverse Conditions), your symptoms must have been present since childhood, and must affect your day to day functioning in some way.  Please also be aware that both conditions can genetically run in families. If what you are experiencing can be explained by another mental health condition you will need to get in touch with your GP to see what else we can do to support you. In this case the referral will not be sent.  If in doubt, please book in with our Mental Health Specialist Nurse, or a GP, to discuss this further.

If you, or your child are younger than 18 and you want to be diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and, or ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) please consider the following options and complete this information pack before your appointment:

We recommend speaking to the SENCO lead at your school to provide a referral to CAMHS (Children Adolescent Mental Health Service) or another appropriate service. We advise using the school that you, or your child attends, as they will be able to provide more information about symptoms and behaviours that are specific to you, than the GP.

You can also contact Brighton and Hove Wellbeing Service who serves as a referral gateway to CAMHS or ATS (Assessment and Treatment Service). You can complete a form which will include an option to request an ASD or ADHD assessment. 

For further advice and support SENDIASS have an advice line for parents or young people (0-25) that have (or may have) a special educational need or disability. They also offer free workshops and have lots of information on supporting parents, carers and children. 

• Use their online registration form
• Email sendiass@amazesussex.org.uk
• Leave a voice message on 01273 772289

Advisers respond to enquiries Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

However, if the school have advised speaking to a GP about making the referral, or you would prefer to speak to a GP, you can be booked in for a routine appointment. Please make a note of the symptoms and behaviours that you have noticed and bring this to your appointment. You will also need to inform the GP of the location of the service you would like to be referred to.

There is currently at least a 5 year wait to have a diagnostic assessment for ADHD/Autism with the local NHS Neurodevelopmental Service. Unfortunately, the services that we can refer to under the Right to Choose only see people from 18 or above, so we manage each Right To Choose applicant on a case by case basis. This will be discussed in your appointment with a GP.  

Following your ADHD screening, below are some websites and other resources that you may find useful: 

ADHD Aware advertises local ADHD support groups including a monthly face to face session held on the first Wednesday of the month, 7pm-9pm at the Brighton & Hove Foyer, Pelham Street, Brighton, BN1 4FA

ADDitude has articles on emotional regulation and ADHD

You may want to read the following information about ADHD from the Psychiatry-UK website

Brighton and Hove Council offer a monthly Adult ADHD Support Group where you can discuss support. coping strategies and raising awareness.
You will need to contact mail@adhdbrighton.org.uk to find out more

ADHD UK provide a number of different peer-to-peer options and bring in experts for informative lectures and Q&A sessions. To reach as many people as possible the majority are done online.

You can also see their page that includes a series of videos which includes lots of information such as What is ADHD and tips to look after yourself

You can also download several Apps such as Evernote or Coach.me that can help you keep track of your goals and daily reminders, such as eating or taking your medication.

Following your Autism screening, below are some websites and other resources that you may find useful: 

Assert (the local support service in Brighton for adults with Autism).  Please note the Assert website mentions High Functioning Autism (HFA).  If you don’t have a fully diagnosed learning disability, your Autism may sometimes be referred to as HFA, this was also previously termed Asperger’s Syndrome. 

You may want to read the following information about Autism from the Psychiatry-UK website

National Autistic Society offers in-depth advice and guidance about autism and the challenges autistic people and their families face. Topics include what is autism, diagnosis, communication, mental health, education, and more.

Autism Central recognises as parents and carers of autistic children, young people and adults, it can be hard to find help when you’re trying to get the right support. Autism Central aims to make it easier to learn more about autism and services available to you.

Ambitious about Autism was founded by a group of parents determined to improve education opportunities for their children. They run two specialist schools and a specialist day college for autistic young people, ranging from the age of 3-25.

You can also download Molehill Mountain, an App to help autistic people understand and self-manage their anxiety symptoms using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques.