Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is an Internationally recognised Brain Disorder affecting both children and adults. It is the subject of an enourmous amount of Scientific research. Despite this, fears and prejuduces about ADHD and its treatments remain. Early identification and effective treatment allows sufferers to achieve their potential and have an improved quality of life. ADHD is a hidden disability, its symptons present lifelong challenges.

Untreated or misunderstood, it damages lives, yet when sufferers are fortunate enough to receive appropriate treatment and support, their many gifts outweigh their challenges. Treatment for this disorder can be very successful, yet sadly many children and adults remain untreated due to lack of knowledge and foresight. The long term costs of ignoring todays research are immense, both financially and personally.

THIS HAS TO CHANGE ENOUGH REALLY IS ENOUGH!!

Increasingly sufferers are being left with no choice but to seek private assessment and treatment. This therefore leaves the majority who cannot afford this without treatment. This is largly due to lack of acknowledgement and funding from Government, but also through a lack of understanding among Local Authorities, some of whom even refuse to accept the condition exists let alone treat it.

As support Group advocates, with many years experience of living with this disorder and as many years again assisting others facing the challenges, we have been shocked and horrified by some of the stories we are hearing.

There are some life and death decisions being made by people who have no idea what it is like to live with ADHD, either as a sufferer or a family member, yet they are paid huge amounts in wages to decide whether or not this disorder warrents any treatment.

We know that many Health Authorities claim that they do not have the funding to provide a service, some of them are faced with massive historical debts and that somehow they have to balance the books. But we also know that the first thing to go is the services for patients, NOT the wage bills for the many managerial posts held by those who do not understand the impact of the life and death decisions they are being paid a lot of money to make!!!!!

I make no apology for that comment, it is true!!! The time has now come for everyone to stand up and speak out against the inequality amongst our Health Authorities and make sure that these issues stay very much in the public and Political arena.

We will be taking this Campaign to the very top of the Political Agenda, we will be taking it to the Department Of Health, The Healthcare Commission and the Prime Minister.

We will contact Local Health Authorities and Primary Care trusts to ask them WHY they cannot provide a service.

The Campaign will culminate in a Demonstration in London next Summer along with a National Conference.

This is a joint Project between The Dorset ADHD Support Group, Milton Keynes Support Group , ADHD In Suffolk and Wales Support groups.

WE WILL GET SOME ANSWERS AND WILL NOT GO AWAY UNTIL WE DO!!!!!

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT IF WE ARE TO ACHIEVE ANYTHING!!!