ADHD, Autism & Neurodiversity
Understanding the full spectrum of neurodivergent conditions and how they interact with dyslexia. Supporting individuals, families, and organisations to embrace neurodiversity.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5% of children and 2.5% of adults worldwide, and frequently co-occurs with dyslexia.
There are three presentations of ADHD: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. Many adults with ADHD were not diagnosed in childhood and may have developed coping strategies that mask their difficulties.
Common signs of ADHD
Executive Functioning
ADHD significantly impacts executive functioning — the mental skills that help with planning, organising, starting tasks, and managing emotions.
In the Workplace
Adults with ADHD may struggle with time management, meeting deadlines, and managing workload. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act can make a significant difference.
In Education
Students with ADHD may benefit from extra time, a separate room for exams, and strategies to manage distractions. A diagnostic report can unlock DSA support.
Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social communication, social interaction, and sensory processing. It is a spectrum condition — no two autistic people are the same.
Autistic individuals may have areas of exceptional strength alongside areas of difficulty. Many autistic people also have dyslexia, ADHD, or other co-occurring conditions.
A diagnosis of autism is made by a multi-disciplinary team. Positive Dyslexia does not diagnose autism but can identify co- occurring dyslexia and provide recommendations for support.
How we can help
Embracing neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is the concept that neurological differences — including dyslexia, ADHD, autism, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia — are natural variations in the human genome. Neurodivergent individuals often bring unique strengths and perspectives to education and the workplace.
Creative Thinking
Many neurodivergent individuals excel at creative, lateral, and innovative thinking — bringing fresh perspectives to complex problems.
Hyperfocus
The ability to hyperfocus on areas of interest can lead to exceptional expertise and achievement in specific domains.
Attention to Detail
Many autistic individuals have exceptional attention to detail and pattern recognition, valuable in many professional fields.
Empathy
Many neurodivergent individuals demonstrate high levels of empathy and emotional intelligence, particularly in understanding others' experiences.