The start of the school year can bring a mix of excitement and overwhelm—especially when parenting a child with ADHD. New routines, new teachers, and new expectations can feel like a lot for both you and your child. If things have been a little rocky these past few weeks, take a deep breath and know that you’re not alone.
💡 Parenting Tip: Give your child time to decompress after school before asking about homework or chores. Many children with ADHD use a huge amount of energy managing themselves throughout the school day. When they get home, they may need some downtime to reset—whether that’s movement, quiet time, or a favorite activity—before they can focus on anything else. A simple buffer of 20-30 minutes can make a big difference in their ability to cooperate later in the evening. Check if they are hungry also and provide something they would like but fits with your guidelines for food!
Big Changes Ahead for ADHD Diagnosis—But Not Overnight
Both major parties in WA (just WA for the moment) have recently announced funding to train GPs to diagnose and prescribe medication for ADHD, aiming to improve access to care for families. This is a promising step forward, as long wait times and limited specialist availability have been ongoing challenges. However, it’s important to set realistic expectations—this won’t be a quick fix.
The training required for GPs will take a minimum of six months, and participation is voluntary, meaning not all doctors will choose to undertake it. Given that many GPs are already managing heavy workloads, we may not see an immediate impact, and availability will likely depend on individual clinics and practitioners.
While this initiative has the potential to ease the burden on specialist services over time, families will still need to rely on existing ADHD professionals for diagnosis and treatment in the short term. I’ll keep you updated as more details emerge.
Free ADHD Parent Support Event
For those seeking immediate support, I wanted to let you know about a free resource.
The Peel ADHD Parent Support Session is held monthly and is accessible online or face to face (face to face for morning sessions only). Each month sessions alternate between Wednesday morning and Thursday nights.
The next event is on Wednesday, 26th February, from 9.30am to 11am. This is a free event designed for parents and caregivers looking for guidance, connection, and shared experiences in navigating ADHD.
As a founding member of this support group, I know how valuable these sessions can be. I will be facilitating the online attendees and Shenae Lodge will be in person. Whether you’re new to the journey or have been navigating ADHD for a while, this is a great opportunity to connect with other parents who truly understand.
We have a guest joining us this month, Nina Vesic, Mindful Parenting Coach. Nina will be sharing some mindful tips and tools for creating a calmer household.
📍 Location: Lake Library & Community Centre
📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, 26th February, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM (Online or in person)
🔗 More details & registration: Click here
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need a space to talk with others who “get it,” this session is for you. I’d love to see you there!
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