Living with ADHD can be quite challenging. But once a supportive community is in place, this can make a great difference. Joining ADHD communities is a gateway enabling one to gain insights and receive practical advice. The proceeding discussion presents a review of various ADHD communities in Australia and ways to connect with them.
Importance of Community Support
Community support can be emotional and practical for people who experience attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Basically, these communities give people a place to share experiences, coping strategies, happenings, and be up to date with any new research and treatments for ADHD.
Key ADHD Communities in Australia
Here are eight of the ADHD communities in Australia that avail support and recourse to:
ADHD Support Australia: This is one of the communities which offer a range of events, among them, monthly speakers evenings, social meetups, workshops, and self-care events. The society provides a safe place where parents and young adults suffering from ADHD can nurture. They own many online platforms, such as Facebook groups and many others, which make community connection and support accessible [1].
ADHD Foundation Australia: The foundation offers national community support and services to people seeking them. The broader services entail helplines, access to specialists, and information services to offer direction. The foundation also runs awareness campaigns and contributes to advocating and provision of accessible and credible information that will help in supporting individuals with ADHD and their families [2].
ADHD Australia: ADHD Australia works to improve the lives of Australians affected by ADHD through advocacy, education, and research initiatives. They have support groups, informational resources, and regular updates on ADHD-related events and news [3].
Macquarie ADHD Parent Support Group: This group is based in North Ryde and has quarterly meetings. It acts as a support and information exchange program for parents to share experiences and strategies on how to handle their children's ADHD. The group provides a caring environment conducive to parents/caregivers and children's wellbeing [4].
ADHD Illawarra Support Group: This group meets monthly and offers a "Being Me" program for children with ADHD. They help these children and their families gain support and resources within the Illawarra community and develop a place where practical advice and emotional support is afforded [4].
ADDACT - Canberra & Queanbeyan ADD Support Group: ADDACT supports people dealing with ADHD on a regular basis and offers support for people with ADHD and their families from the Canberra and Queanbeyan regions. They offer relevant information, helplines, and mutual sharing of experiences and strategies [4].
ADHD WA: It provides both parent and adult living with ADHD support group meetings. Apart from support group meetings, they avail other learning and development programs, parent coffee mornings, OnTrac for tweens and teens, amongst others. This broad and comprehensive support structure will help a person manage their ADHD successfully [5].
ADHD Communities in NSW and QLD
New South Wales (NSW)
ADHD Support Group NepeanThis Nepean ADHD Support Group is based at the South Penrith Neighbourhood Centre and meets monthly. It provides a caring environment supportive of parents/caregivers and children's wellbeing in an exchange of information and experiences regarding strategies [4].
Wollongong Parent Support GroupThis group is for parents of children with ADHD. LD and Asperger's. They meet once a month to discuss the issues and to share resources [4].
Queensland (QLD)
Brisbane City Psychologists: This provides support for adults with ADHD through therapy and counseling. They run a number of support groups with this intention of meeting different needs in order to provide full care and guidance.
QANC – Queensland ADHD & Neurosciences Clinic: QANC offers disability-specific services most specifically for people who have ADHD and ASD. They provide clients with diagnostic and treatment pathways with a biopsychosocial approach to ensure that clients excellently get all the needed support.
How to Connect
This is how practically to get in contact with these ADHD communities:
Join Meetup Groups: Meetup provides an excellent platform where you can find local ADHD support groups and events, look for ADHD-related groups in your area, members who come with the same interest, and attend to community activities.
Utilise NDIS Support: People with ADHD can access the support available through the NDIS. When you access NDIS resources, you may note that it offers support groups, educational programs, and other kinds of services relevant to your needs.
Social Media: Most ADHD communities are very active on social media. You can like their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts where they announce events, post new resources, and run other community discussions. Participating in online forums and groups can also be a source of connection and support.
Attend Community Events: There are various community events, which include workshops, speaker evenings, and social gatherings. all excellent means of interacting with people in an excellent sense of getting critical insights. Visit the websites of the above-mentioned ADHD communities and check the schedules and locations of their stated events.
Reach Out Directly: You can get in contact with the support groups and foundations through their websites or their social media pages. Simply put, express your interest to join their community and ask about any forthcoming events or the availability of resources.
Conclusion
The connection with ADHD communities in Australia may present some rich benefits an individual pivoting through the issues around ADHD. Then practical advice, emotional support, and a sense of belonging will flow easily to you. It has become easier these days to find ADHD communities through Meetup, NDIS support or social media. Your engagement with these communities will heighten the quality of your life.
Bibliography
[1] ADHD Support Australia. (2023). Retrieved from ADHD Support Australia
[2] ADHD Foundation Australia. (2023). Retrieved from ADHD Foundation
[3] ADHD Australia. (2023). Retrieved from ADHD Australia
[4] ADHD Australia. (2023). Retrieved from Support Groups
[5] ADHD WA. (2023). Retrieved from ADHD WA
[6] Brisbane City Psychologists. (2023). Retrieved from Brisbane City Psychologists
[7] QANC. (2023). Retrieved from QANC
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