Ep. 37: Normalising ADHD Through Talking About the Signs with Ella Tabb from @PurpleElla

This episode starts a new mini-series on ADHD. Helen Wills talks to Ella Tabb from Purple Ella about her family's diagnoses of autism and ADHD, including her own diagnosis at the age of 36. What is ADHD? ADHD is a neurological condition that affects mood and behaviour. It's often diagnosed in childhood, but can persist into adulthood, with adult diagnoses becoming more common. Symptoms of ADHD Symptoms can vary, and are often different in women and men. Boys are sometimes diagnosed during school years due to restlessness and impulsive behaviour (hyperactive ADHD), while girls often mask their symptoms, trying to live up to school expectations. As a result they are more likely to find it hard to focus, pay attention , and remember details. Ella talks about how it was only when getting a diagnosis of ADHD for her daughter that she recognised the symptoms in herself. Here's what we discussed: * She was labelled difficult, naughty and weird during her school years. * She was bullied at secondary school and suffered low self-esteem. * Her strong moral code meant she would say things out loud that other teenagers might ridicule. * Ella describes herself as having no filter between her brain and her mouth. She talked AT people rather than with them. * This would make her panic after a conversation that she may have offended people. * Aspects of the ADOS test used to diagnose autism and ADHD - Ella was asked do you struggle with queues, can you watch a sunset, do you have intense interests? What should parents do if they think their child might have ADHD? Ella details a great set of resources to arm yourself with the knowledge you need to decide whether to pursue a diagnosis. She says it's important to write down the categories that fit ADHD with as much evidence as you can before visiting your GP. Parents do need to intervene. Ella says as a teenager with ADHD she couldn't see what her own problems were. She just felt really bad about herself and didn't understand that there was more to it. Scroll down for organisations that can help. Who is Purple Ella? Purple Ella is a disabled content creator with a focus on autism and ADHD. She draws on her experience of her own life as an autistic adult with ADHD and as the mother to three children who are all neurodivergent. She says "all behaviour is communication" and wants all neurodivergent people to know that they are perfect just the way they are. Ella also lives with her husband, her assistance dog Coco and her cat Katsu.  Where to find support and advice on getting an ADHD diagnosis * Ella's YouTube channel Purple Ell [https://www.youtube.com/user/purplemumify]a * Purple Ella and Coco on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@purpleellaandcoco?lang=en] * Ella on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/purpleellaandcoco/] * How to ADHD [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-nPM1_kSZf91ZGkcgy_95Q] on YouTube * National Autistic Society [https://www.autism.org.uk/] * ADDitude Magazine [https://www.additudemag.com/] * Counselling for ADHD [https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/adhd.html] * The Pomodoro Technique [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FjIuPMQzxo] Listen to the podcast for more information and advice from Ella on everything from getting a diagnosis to techniques to help with concentration at school when you have ADHD. More teenage parenting tips from Helen Wills: Helen wills is a teen mental health podcaster and blogger at 

Om Podcasten

Welcome to the Teenage Kicks podcast, where we take the fear out of parenting - or becoming - a teenager. The internet is full of parenting advice, from when you feel those first baby kicks, until they reach secondary school. And then it stops. No one is talking about teen parenting problems; so we’re going to. Essential listening for teenagers and their parents, as well as those who work with young adults; Teenage Kicks has teen mental health at its core, and each episode will empower young people to tackle their own problems, and give parents the guidance to know how to help them. Each week Helen speaks to real individuals who've experienced the issues that young people are dealing with now, and they don't sugar-coat it. From exam nerves and career worries to issues around sexuality and consent, we get tips and advice from expert guests who understand what it’s like to be a teenager today. Helen will also be chatting about tough teenage problems like cyberbullying and self-harm, drugs, alcohol and teenage pregnancy, all with a heavy dose of reality from someone who's been there and made it through to the other side. Teenage Kicks for Parents: As parents, we understand some of our kids’ struggles, but let’s face it, it’s been a while, and things have moved on since we last panicked over a detention! Teenage choices today can seem alien to their parents because teenage life has changed so dramatically since we were young. Teenage Kicks helps you unravel topics like social media, sexting and teen self-esteem so that you can figure out what your child needs support with, and what’s just normal teenage behaviour.   Teenage Kicks for Teens: Teenagers and parents come at things from different angles, we know. But teenage life can be challenging, and the support of your parents can make navigating tricky dilemmas easier. Teenage Kicks guests aren’t adults who’ve read a textbook; nor are they heavily invested in your day-to-day safety, like your mum and dad. They are real people who’ve been through what you’re dealing with, and they have the inspiration and advice you need to handle it yourself. Join Helen each week as she chats to a different guest about topics affecting teenagers in 2020, and helps parents and teens to open up a dialogue that will make life easier to navigate on all sides. You'll also find me chatting about teen parenting here: * Actually Mummy [https://actuallymummy.co.uk/] - my personal blog * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iamhelenwills/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/iamhelenwills] Useful websites: * The Mix [https://www.themix.org.uk/]- good information for under 25's * Shout [https://www.giveusashout.org/] - for anyone struggling with anxiety or depression This series of the Teenage Kicks Podcast is sponsored by Blue Microphones [https://www.blue-designs.co.uk/], who gave me the fabulous Yeticaster mic for all my recordings. It's really straightforward to use, and gives me great sound quality without too much editing.