Assessment and support services for people with ADHD

REPORT - November 2023

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Full Report (PDF)

Contents

Members

Executive Summary

List of recommendations

Abbreviations & acronyms

Chapter 1 - Introduction and background

Acknowledgement
Report structure
Notes on references
Definitions
What is ADHD?
Diagnosis of ADHD
Prevalence of ADHD
Social and economic costs of insufficient support
Policy context
Recent budget measures
Community-based services
Education
Previous inquiries and reviews into ADHD

Chapter 2 - The lived experience of ADHD

Life impacts of ADHD
Impact on education
Impact on employment
Social impacts
Mental health and wellbeing
Crime and justice
Coexisting conditions
First Nations and culturally diverse people
Carers
Diagnosis later in life
Stigma

Chapter 3 - Barriers to assessment and diagnosis

Avoiding a formal diagnosis
Difficulties in accessing assessment and diagnosis services
Quality of diagnosis
Diagnosis for diverse communities
Different views of diagnosis
AADPA Clinical practice guideline

Chapter 4 - Accessing treatment and support services

Difficulties in accessing treatment and support
Accessing ADHD medication
Accessing supports for children

Chapter 5 - Areas for improvement in ADHD diagnosis and support

The need for a national approach
More accessible public health services
Expanding models of care
New and 'best practice' models of care
Improving education, training and awareness
Increasing funding for ADHD services
Implementation of uniform state and territory prescribing regulations
Creating flexible workplaces
Providing funding for the ADHD community

Chapter 6 - Workforce development and accessing care

Improving support for people with ADHD
Upskilling healthcare professionals
Non-health professionals
Government healthcare workforce initiatives

Chapter 7 - ADHD under the NDIS

National Disability Insurance Scheme
ADHD support and the NDIS

Chapter 8 - Data, research and international models of care

Government research spending
Improving nationally consistent data collection
Calls for more ADHD research
International models of diagnosis and care for ADHD

Chapter 9 - Committee views and recommendations

Developing a national approach
Making services affordable and accessible
Improving ADHD information and resources
Improving our schools
Improving our workplaces
Improving support in institutions and correctional facilities
Improve the capacity and capability of healthcare system
Better funding for ADHD disability and advocacy organisations
More research into ADHD and its impacts

Careful Diagnosis of Children
Need for a Truly Independent Design of Guidelines
Access to diagnosis and treatment for ADHD patients in regional and remote areas.
Adult Diagnosis and Treatment
NDIS
Conclusion

Australian Greens Additional Comments

Appendix 1 - Submissions, tabled documents and additional information

Appendix 2 - Public hearings and witnesses

Appendix 3 - Proposed 'best practice' pathways for ADHD support

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