The Hon. TAYLOR MARTIN (17:06): I move:

(1)That this House notes that:

(a)October 2024 is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] Awareness Month and a time to celebrate the achievements of our Australian ADHD community;

(b)in 2024 the theme, "Awareness is Key" is the ADHD Foundation's first ever Australian National ADHD Awareness campaign;

(c)ADHD is the most common type of neurodiversity, and it is characterised by symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and in some cases excessive levels of hyperactivity;

(d)ADHD affects more than 800,000 Australians, including 281,200 children and adolescents and 533,300 adults in Australia;

(e)a new Deloitte Access Economics report entitled The social and economic costs of ADHD in Australia estimates that the social and economic impacts of the neurodevelopmental disorder are around $20 billion per year;

(f)research has also revealed that children and young people who may have ADHD and are not diagnosed and treated were more likely to come into contact with the juvenile justice system, more than twice as likely to receive a Community Correction Order and three times more likely to be in detention;

(g)diagnoses of ADHD are increasing due to increased awareness and improved diagnostic practices, support services, awareness and acceptance;

(h)identification and diagnoses are increasing among females and adults in this disorder that has long been associated with adolescent males;

(i)symptoms can vary depending on the sex and age of diagnosis, but particularly whether a person presents as inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or a combined presentation; and

(j)the disorder was known as Attention Deficit Disorder [ADD] until 1987, when a revised version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders included a change in the naming and abbreviation from ADD to ADHD, which would include the inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined presentations as subtypes of the disorder.

(2)That this House acknowledges and celebrates the achievements of the ADHD community in New South Wales.

I begin by thanking the ADHD Foundation Australia and the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association for their work as we acknowledge that the month of October is ADHD Awareness Month. ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is important to shed light on this condition, which is often misunderstood or mischaracterised yet is profoundly impactful for those living with the condition, either diagnosed or undiagnosed, as well as to those around them, both personally and professionally. For decades, ADHD has been shrouded in old misconceptions and strong stigma, leaving countless individuals, both children and adults, struggling in silence without the assistance and understanding that are needed. When people think of ADHD, more often than not the first thing they think about is the young child or the little boy in a classroom who cannot sit still, who is always fidgeting and who is constantly in trouble. It is about time that stereotype is left behind. That is why ADHD Awareness Month is so important.

ADHD is a disability and is classified as one legally. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder. People may be quick to think that means that the brain as a whole is later in developing. To be more specific, it has been hypothesised that the disorder could be caused by delayed development of the frontal lobe. As more and more research is done into the complexities of the human brain, it appears to be much more complex than the theories that have been put forward. My understanding—and I am by no means an expert—is that having ADHD means that a person has a difference in the dopamine pathways within the brain, leading to effectively a dopamine deficit. Another theory is that those with ADHD have a higher concentration of dopamine transporters, which leads to the brain using up the available dopamine far more quickly than in those who are neurotypical. This can present commonly as dopamine‑searching behaviour.

It can very much present as hyperactivity and/or inattentiveness. To put it bluntly, people who have ADHD can become bored more quickly than most, or can have trouble becoming motivated or staying motivated. That is why people who have ADHD get in trouble and it is why many of us find ourselves drawn towards high‑risk behaviours. That is why people with ADHD find it hard to focus on something that does not really engage or excite them. It is why we can end up in heated arguments more quickly and easily than most. A lack of understanding has led to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment and a profound sense of differentiation and isolation for those affected, particularly when it is easy to simply be labelled as a bad kid, a troublemaker or an underachiever.

We now recognise that ADHD exists on a spectrum like autism, another well‑known neurodivergent disorder, and it encompasses a wide range of symptoms and presentations. That understanding has paved the way for more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatment approaches. One of the most significant developments in recent years has been the increased recognition of ADHD diagnoses in adults. For too long adult ADHD was overlooked, with symptoms often attributed to other factors like stress, anxiety or simply a personality quirk. Today we acknowledge that ADHD can not only persist into adulthood but also go undiagnosed until later in life, significantly impacting an individual's academic, professional and personal lives. It has been just 12 months since I received my own ADHD diagnosis. It has been a real struggle to come to terms with what that means and, to be really honest, it has been hard to find a medication that suits me best alongside methods other than medication.

The evolution of treatment options for ADHD has paralleled the advancements in our understanding of the disorder. While medication remains a cornerstone of treatment for many, the landscape has expanded to include a variety of non-pharmacological interventions. Despite the progress made, significant challenges remain in the realm of ADHD diagnosis and treatment. One persistent issue is the stigma associated with the disorder. Many individuals continue to internalise negative stereotypes, fearing judgement and discrimination. I have been guilty of that myself over the past year and I have wrestled with what the diagnosis actually means for me.

The stigma can delay diagnosis and it hinders individuals from seeking help and treatment along the way. It can exacerbate the impact on the lives of those with ADHD and of the people around them. On the off‑chance that anyone listening or reading this inHansard later is going through a similar experience, my advice is to not hold back. Understanding how the mind works can not only change people's lives for the better but also give them the answers to questions they may have asked for a long while with no answer.

I seek an extension of time.

Leave granted.

The Hon. TAYLOR MARTIN: Importantly, knowing more about the condition can help people understand the positives like exceptional creativity. Knowing more about the condition will lead them down a path to recognising that they may well have an edge in problem solving or lateral thinking, particularly the ability to hyper‑focus on particular subjects that are of interest, when they find your niche. It has become my view that for those of us who are happy to, speaking up about our experiences will help not only others living with the disorder but also neurotypical people understand what it can be like for us to navigate some situations —or even just a bad day—and what we need to get through that. With more support from those around us, in our workplaces and in our homes, we can move towards a time when dealing with this handicap can be overcome, just like other disabilities that are dealt with together and easily through greater understanding and support.

The Hon. ROSE JACKSON (Minister for Water, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Youth, and Minister for the North Coast) (17:12): The Government supports the motion. I thank the Hon. Taylor Martin for bringing it to the House and for his thoughtful and heartfelt contribution. What a great way to open a discussion on this important topic. The theme of ADHD Awareness Month is "Awareness is Key", and the Hon. Taylor Martin's contribution highlights that. We recognise that challenging ongoing stigma and myth busting is incredibly important to supporting people with ADHD and their families and carers. One myth, which the Hon. Taylor Martin mentioned, is that ADHD is merely a consequence of bad parenting and a lack of discipline. It is now comprehensively demonstrated that that is not the case. Some of the behaviours may be a consequence of the chemical imbalances that cause ADHD but it is a very different set of circumstances to those previous misunderstandings.

Another myth that we need to call out and bust is that ADHD is an excuse for laziness and bad behaviour. It is very clear that there are genuine chemical imbalances in people's brains that are not under voluntary control. There is so much about the brain that we still do not know. As the Minister for Mental Health, I reflect on many of the myths and stereotypes about people experiencing mental illness that, even in the past few decades, have changed substantially and for the better. What caused that? It was people being willing to speak up, tell their own stories and talk about their experiences of depression and anxiety. ADHD is no different. It will take the courage of people such as the Hon. Taylor Martin to speak their truth, which will help bring the awareness that is key to understanding that it is a genuine brain disorder, that brain stimulatory imaging has shown that clearly and that the symptoms are not under voluntary control.

An important element is the increased understanding of the impact of ADHD on adults. That is a new element in the way the issue is being discussed in society, and that is very important. From the Government's point of view, our primary response sits within community health. In some ways that is appropriate and important because, as I have recognised, it is a genuine difference in the brain that is causing the issue. Having said that, it is fair to say that if we just have a health‑based response, we are letting people down. We need a response that includes education, employment and community services. I look forward to having increased dialogue on this issue within Parliament. I commit the Government to recognising that awareness is key and we want to support that ongoing awareness within the community.

Ms ABIGAIL BOYD (17:16): I support the motion and thank the Hon. Taylor Martin for bringing it to the House today. As someone else who is neurodiverse in this place, I welcome him to the club. It was incredible to listen to him speak about it because there is a journey to go on. There are absolutely chemical reasons for the way that we all think. We now have information and research coming out every day in relation to all sorts of neurodiversity. The research on people with autism is fascinating. But, fundamentally, it is not a medical issue in its entirety; it is also about the way that people think. Some of my bestest, most favourite people in the world are neurodiverse, whether it be ADHD or autism. I would not want us to get caught up in the medical model of disability.

Most of the obstacles and issues that neurodiverse people face in society are caused by society being intolerant and society building those obstacles around them. To put a positive spin on it, we do call it a disability but I am incredibly proud to be neurodiverse. ADHD Awareness Month is celebrated every year in October. Like many other awareness‑raising months, it stands to not only educate the broader community about ADHD but also demand bolder action from governments to improve the lives of people with ADHD, and create a society that not only recognises but values the inherent worth of every individual, regardless of their neurological differences. The report referenced in the motion is from 2019.

Looking at some more recent estimates, this year ADHD Australia and the ADHD Foundation found that around one in 20, or over 1.25 million, Australians live with ADHD, although we think that does not come close to fully accounting for the unknown number of people who remain undiagnosed for their entire lives. We have a long way to go to remove the barriers that prevent people with ADHD receiving assessments, diagnoses, health care and support, and then accessing inclusive education and employment opportunities and genuinely thriving in our society. We need fundamental, transformational change to how we think about people with neurodiversity, in particular. A truly inclusive and successful society is one that celebrates human difference and diversity and encourages all individuals to thrive with the supports they need to do so.

The Hon. WES FANG (17:19): I make a contribution to the debate. From the outset, I thank the Hon. Taylor Martin for moving the motion and commend him for his bravery—not so much his bravery in sharing his story but his bravery in raising the issue, given that it has such a stigma attached to it. He has brought the motion to the House to raise awareness but also to provide his story in a way that shines a light on the issue. I lead for the Opposition in the debate. When I was told that I would be leading, I was told that I was the obvious choice. I am not sure exactly what it is that makes me the obvious choice for this debate, but I suspect that it could be the fact that I understand very well many of the traits that the Hon. Taylor Martin talked about. That would be because I, too, have ADHD. I received the diagnosis when I was around 40 years old. I am now 46, so I have had more time to process it than the Hon. Taylor Martin has. Understanding what it is and then receiving treatment for it has been life-changing for me.

I also put on the record that I would undoubtedly not be where I am today if I did not have ADHD. There has been so much talk about it being a disability and about the stigma attached to it, but there needs to be recognition that ADHD is also a superpower if it is channelled and harnessed in the right way. The hyperfocus and inability to concentrate on things that I do not care about meant that I did not do that well in school, but it meant that I was able to excel in the things that I enjoyed and could focus my entire self on. That is, in part, how I am in this place now. For anybody who is reading theHansard or watching the debate and believes that they may have ADHD, they are not alone. There is nothing wrong with them. They may be a high-achieving person. That is all part of what ADHD is. There are issues around diagnosis. If one is able to receive a diagnosis, there are issues in receiving medication.

I seek an extension of time.

Leave granted.

The Hon. WES FANG: Sometimes there are issues around receiving a diagnosis and receiving medication. It is expensive. But if one takes the journey, as some members of this House have, when they come out the other side they will appreciate not only the diagnosis and the treatment but that they have been gifted something that makes them different from other people. It is a superpower. I encourage members to see it through that lens.

The Hon. EMILY SUVAAL (17:23): I speak in support of the motion to recognise ADHD Awareness Month, which is celebrated every October to raise awareness of ADHD. It is the most common neurodevelopmental condition in children and adolescents, but, as many members have articulated, it can be diagnosed for the first time in adulthood. This year's theme is "Awareness Is Key". Awareness is key to many things. Awareness is key to unlocking appropriate treatments. Awareness is key to appropriate supports. But awareness within one's self about the opportunities and the strategies that are available to manage symptoms is also key. There is a key role for health professionals to play in unlocking that awareness. There is also a key role for members of this place to play in unlocking that awareness.

As the Hon. Wes Fang articulated, I fundamentally believe that ADHD—and neurodivergence more generally—while some people would say there is a stigma attached, is a strength in people in terms of their ability to apply themselves in a really unique way. I admire that. It is an attribute. With the appropriate strategies in place, ADHD can enable an individual to achieve quite remarkable things in life. It is important that, as a community, we support people to achieve their goals as much as we can. The New South Wales Government is committed to disability inclusion and removing barriers. Raising awareness about the strengths and attributes that people with any form of neurodivergence have is an important thing for members of this place to do to reduce the stigma that can be associated with a diagnosis. To me, a diagnosis is certainly not a limitation or a label but rather something to unlock the possibilities available to a person, with tools and effective strategies to manage symptoms, to unlock their potential to achieve all that they can.

The Hon. NATASHA MACLAREN-JONES (17:26): I begin by also acknowledging the Hon. Taylor Martin for moving this important motion. I think it might be the first time that we have debated the topic in this House. I also acknowledge the contributions of Ms Abigail Boyd and the Hon. Wes Fang and their courage in speaking personally about their stories. With over one million, or an estimated one in 20, Australians having ADHD, it is important that we continue to raise awareness of ADHD and the impacts it has on people and their families. As the Hon. Taylor Martin said, ADHD is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. It is also under‑diagnosed in girls and adults. Raising awareness of symptoms and the need for assessment and diagnosis is key and ensures that people receive the support and treatment they need.

I highlight a Senate inquiry that was conducted in 2023 that explored the barriers to the assessment and treatment of ADHD and support services available, including the adequacy of State government services to meet what is needed for treatment. Everybody has a different ADHD assessment and diagnosis pathway and there are particularly different pathways for children and adults. The inquiry found that, even with access to public health services, the assessment and medical diagnosis of ADHD in children is challenging and complicated given the potential for co-existing conditions and development milestones which also need to be evaluated. The significance of addressing better diagnosis and support for ADHD can be demonstrated by how ADHD impacts an individual's life and how they view themselves following diagnosis, which is another reason why adequate access to support is vital.

Over the course of the inquiry, the committee found that barriers to people with ADHD accessing assessment, diagnosis and support services included a lack of services, which could include long wait times for diagnosis by a health professional. That is compounded by difficulty accessing medication and the cost of medication and other support services. There is inadequate coverage under Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the NDIS, which is compounded by increasing cost-of-living pressures. The committee also found that there were poor consumer experiences, with a lack of understanding across bureaucracy and GPs using outdated diagnostics assessments.

It was highlighted in the report that there is a lack of support in schools, out-of-home care and correctional facilities. For a lot of young people who come in contact with Youth Justice, that is the first time they get assessed. Quite often they are getting multiple assessments. It was important that the Minister for Mental Health acknowledged ADHD as a disorder but also acknowledged that there needs to be a whole-of-government approach across community services, health and education. That is a challenge. We all know about the challenge of bringing departments together, but I acknowledge that it is a focus of hers.

The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (17:29): I have a deep sense of responsibility to talk about something we often do not fully understand: ADHD. I thank the Hon. Taylor Martin for moving the motion today. Some of the greatest minds in history may had a touch of what we now call ADHD: Einstein, da Vinci and even Richard Branson. Those people changed the world with their creativity and brilliance, despite their distractibility. But for every Einstein, there are countless others who are not given the tools or support they need to reach their full potential. The challenge is that ADHD does not always come with a sign that says, "Watch out, I'm brilliant but easily distracted." Instead, it often leads to frustration, especially in young people.

We know that more than 280,000 children in Australia are diagnosed each year. Here is where it gets serious: If we do not support them early, the consequences can sometimes be devastating. Research tells us that children with untreated or undiagnosed ADHD are more than twice as likely, as the Hon. Natasha Maclaren-Jones said, to come into contact with the Youth Justice system. Those kids, who might just need more help focusing but who might not have the right diagnosis, end up being seen as problem children who are disruptive in class, getting in trouble and eventually ending up in detention. It is heartbreaking to think that, in many cases, these children are simply misunderstood.

They are not bad kids. They are kids with a neurodevelopmental condition that affects their ability to control impulses and stay focused. When we fail to intervene early, we end up paying the price both socially and economically. The cost to the Youth Justice system alone is immense. But there is hope. We know that, with early diagnosis, proper treatment and understanding, children with ADHD can thrive. They can stay in school, stay out of the justice system and contribute to society in the incredible ways we know they can. As we recognise ADHD Awareness Month, let's commit to doing more than just acknowledging the statistic. Let's take action to ensure that every child gets the support they need to succeed, because awareness is key but action is what will truly make the difference.

The Hon. TAYLOR MARTIN (17:32): In reply: I thank the Minister for Mental Health, the Hon. Rose Jackson, for her myth-busting contribution, and Ms Abigail Boyd for welcoming me to the neurodivergent club in Parliament. I thank the Hon. Wes Fang, my ADHD brother—in this place at least.

The Hon. Wes Fang: Not on the outside.

The Hon. TAYLOR MARTIN: Don't distract me! I agree that I would not be here if I was not able to hyperfocus in on the subjects that I know and love. I thank the Hon. Emily Suvaal for noting some of the many positives that come from people with ADHD. I thank the Hon. Natasha Maclaren-Jones for noting that there is growing awareness of ADHD and that it impacts females more than has been recognised in recent decades, which is a constant topic of discussion in the ADHD community. I thank the Hon. Aileen MacDonald and note that it is so true that youth with ADHD, whether diagnosed or not, are many times more likely to end up in the criminal justice system. The journey of ADHD awareness—I would prefer to say ADD, but I will not get into that—and treatment has been marked by significant progress over recent decades, but obviously much more work remains to be done.

The Senate inquiry into ADHD noted that at least a million Australians live with ADHD: children and adults, diagnosed and undiagnosed, treated and untreated. A 2019 report by Deloitte estimated that the annual total cost of ADHD in Australia is over $20 billion per annum, comprising a financial burden just under $13 billion, with wellbeing losses around $7.5 billion. Over and above that figure, there are also productivity losses estimated at more than $10 billion in 2019. People affected will have their own stories of the ADHD tax that many of us joke about, but it does have lifelong impacts on individuals and their families, including on their self-esteem, physical and mental health, relationships, education, employment and financial situation. I leave members with a line from a great write-up on the headspace website, written last year by an anonymous contributor from Mount Druitt. I quote a line from it that aligns with the contribution of Ms Abigail Boyd in her speech earlier tonight:

As a lot of neurodivergent people have said, it is not my neurodivergence that makes me disabled, it's my environment.

Together, let us continue to advocate for understanding, support and acceptance for those living with ADHD. Together we can create a world where ADHD is no longer a barrier to success but is a catalyst for innovation, creativity and resilience. With the short amount of time I have left, I have a small ask of the Minister for Mental Health: Could we get the NSW Health website to include the Australian national guidelines, which were published over two years ago? Currently the NSW Health website has a link to the Canadian and the UK guidelines but not our own. There is a bit more work to be done.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (The Hon. Emma Hurst): The question is that the motion be agreed to.

Motion agreed to.