Harmoni
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Harmoni is a single parent with ‘severe’ attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Her son has also been diagnosed with ADHD. Harmoni believes that the education and health systems must adapt to recognise and accommodate ADHD diagnoses.
‘I don’t understand why it’s not considered a disability,’ she told the Royal Commission, ‘… when it affects social life, work life, family life, relationships, education and so on’.
Harmoni told us about the impact of ADHD being excluded from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
‘ADHD has put me in financial stress as medication and therapy for me as an adult isn’t covered … and all the extra time off work and fuel and therapy bills for my son is costing me more, which is affecting me financially.’
At school her son ‘struggles a lot’ due to the lack of support.
‘Schools need better funding to help children with ADHD. How is this acceptable?’
‘I hope one day we would have a government-funded ADHD clinic where it’s covered under Medicare and schools have funding for ADHD as this affects education, social skills, work, finance, budgeting, behaviour, etc.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.