19/08/2026
The ADHD Myth, My Response
I have to say, I watched Channel 4’s The ADHD Myth with absolute disgust and disappointment.
As someone who has spent years supporting families affected by ADHD, who has two children with ADHD, who was diagnosed myself through the NHS at 37, and who has supported hundreds and hundreds of families, I found the programme incredibly one sided.
If you are going to make a programme about whether ADHD is real, why not include professionals who actually diagnose ADHD and work with ADHD families every single day?
Why not speak to NHS ADHD clinicians? Why not hear from the people who provide assessments, treatment and support? Why present predominantly one side of an extremely complex issue?
Yes, I have concerns about some private ADHD services. I absolutely believe that some assessments are too quick and that people are paying huge amounts of money for diagnoses that should be much more thorough.
My own NHS assessment was not a quick online questionnaire. It involved several assessments, took considerable time and included a family member providing additional information.
But that doesn’t mean ADHD isn’t real.
The suggestion that ADHD was “virtually unheard of” in children 10 years ago, and certainly in adults, misses a very important point.
ADHD didn’t suddenly appear. Our understanding of it changed.
My child was diagnosed almost 11 years ago. At that time, I felt incredibly isolated. That experience is part of why I started a support organisation in the first place.
I’ve since watched hundreds of families finally find answers and support.
And something I hear again and again from adults receiving an ADHD diagnosis is:
“My life finally makes sense.”
For many people, an ADHD diagnosis explains years of difficulties, misunderstandings, low self-esteem and feeling that they were somehow failing at life.
Yes, you can find famous people with ADHD. That’s because ADHD exists across all walks of life. ADHD brains can also be incredibly creative, innovative and capable.
And yes, brain scans may show “tiny differences”.
But if there is a difference, however small, it is still a difference.
I also strongly object to the repeated use of language such as “drugging children”.
ADHD medication is medication. It is prescribed, monitored and, like every medication, has potential side effects.
Open a box of paracetamol and you’ll find a list of possible side effects too.
Medication isn’t right for every person with ADHD. Some people don’t take it at all. Some take it every day. Some take breaks at weekends or during school holidays. Medication breaks are completely normal for some families, when clinically appropriate.
My own children have different experiences with medication. One finds it helpful because it reduces frustration. Another doesn’t particularly like taking it, but chooses to take it for school and has breaks at weekends.
That’s not “drugging a child”.
It’s about finding what works for that individual child, under appropriate medical supervision.
And let’s talk about those tick-box questions.
“Does your child play quietly?”
“Does your child squirm in their seat?”
Of course a child can sit quietly.
Of course a child can concentrate sometimes.
The assessment isn’t asking whether a child has ever done these things. ADHD assessment considers patterns of behaviour, how frequently they occur, how severe they are, whether they are present across different settings and whether they significantly affect a person’s everyday life.
And the same applies to computerised testing such as QbTest. It isn’t simply about whether a child can complete a test. These tests can provide objective measurements that are compared with normative data from people without ADHD.
One assessment or one medication tablet does not magically establish the perfect diagnosis and treatment plan.
Finding the right medication and dose can take time.
And yes, fresh air, exercise, being outdoors, sleep, routine and supportive environments are all incredibly important.
But fresh air does not cure ADHD.
We should absolutely be asking how we can make schools more accommodating. Expecting every child to sit still, stay silent and remain focused at a desk for hours can be incredibly difficult for some children.
But saying “just change the whole education system” isn’t enough.
We need practical support for children living in the system that exists today.
And finally, the theme park disability/access pass.
Giving a child an alternative to standing in a two-hour queue doesn’t teach them that they never have to wait in life.
It tells them:
“We understand that this is difficult for you, and we’re going to help you have the same opportunity to enjoy this experience as everyone else.”
That isn’t giving a child special treatment.
It’s removing a barrier.
And adults with ADHD and other disabilities are increasingly being supported with reasonable adjustments in workplaces for exactly the same reason.
I don’t believe we should dismiss legitimate concerns about ADHD diagnosis, private healthcare, medication or overdiagnosis.
We absolutely should have those conversations.
But we need balanced conversations.
Challenge ADHD services. Challenge private providers. Question medication. Improve assessment standards.
But don’t undermine the lived experiences of millions of people by presenting ADHD as though it is simply the result of poor parenting, a lack of fresh air, children not being taught patience, or a pharmaceutical industry looking for customers.
ADHD is complex.
People with ADHD deserve nuance.
Parents deserve accurate information.
Children deserve understanding.
And adults who have spent their lives wondering, “Why can’t I just be like everyone else?” deserve to be heard.
We can question the system without questioning the existence of ADHD.
