Alun David. ADHD UK Ambassador
My name is Alun David, and I am a devoted father of four living in the West Midlands. My journey with ADHD began long before my diagnosis; it was a path marked by confusion, misdiagnoses, and a persistent feeling of being out of place. It wasn’t until the age of 39 that I finally received the diagnosis that made sense of the challenges and peculiarities of my life: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This revelation extended beyond myself to my family, as two of my children and other relatives were also diagnosed, shedding light on our previously misunderstood family dynamics.
Throughout my youth, I constantly felt on the sidelines, struggling to connect with peers and fit into conventional social molds. This led to a sense of isolation, not knowing my experiences stemmed from ADHD. The journey to obtaining a proper diagnosis was fraught with obstacles, including skepticism from medical professionals and the overarching stigma surrounding mental health.
Understanding our family’s neurodiversity has been transformative. As a parent, I navigate the Special Educational Needs (SEN) system to support my children, gaining critical insights into the needs of those with ADHD. My experiences have imbued me with a profound understanding of the unique trials faced by individuals with this condition and their families.
Motivated by these personal experiences, I took on the role of an ambassador for ADHD UK. My advocacy is driven by a desire to assist others in similar situations, helping them navigate a society that often fails to accommodate neurodiverse individuals. My work focuses on raising awareness, promoting neurodiversity inclusion, and initiating societal changes that embrace and support neurodiverse profiles.
In this role, I strive to highlight the importance of understanding and accommodating neurodiversity not only in educational settings but also within the wider community. My goal is to create pathways that ease the common challenges faced by those with ADHD, from school to the workplace, ensuring they receive the support and recognition they deserve.
Through my efforts, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive society where neurodiversity is not merely accepted but valued. Being an ambassador for ADHD UK is a commitment to change, advocating for a world that sees the strengths in all differences and provides every individual the opportunity to thrive.