In this, our first ever episode, Calum asks his father, Bill Colley, about a range of topics, including, parenthood, medication, and what teachers could be doing to help themselves and their students.

About Bill Colley:

Bill has worked in the field of additional support needs (ASN) for around 20 years and held senior positions with both local authority and independent schools. His recent appointments have included leading and managing the inclusion team within a local authority and running a residential special school for young people with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. He has postgraduate qualifications in Autism and Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties as well as in the clinical assessment of autism and adult ADHD.

Bill is currently Acting-Chair of the Scottish ADHD Coalition and Vice-President of the UK ADHD Partnership. His interests lie in improving the diagnostic pathway for children and young people, residential care, and in complex comorbidities.

Seventeen-year-old Neil gives us a brilliant interview, during which he discusses his creative passions, how he overcame his anxieties, what he wishes people understood about ADHD and what he thinks ADHD brings to the world.

 Sixteen-year-old Heather talks ADHD as a female and young person, what it was like to be diagnosed, the importance of good friends, and what she’d like to do with her life.

 The guest of today's episode has extensive and fascinating experience in the research, assessment and support of those with ADHD. Emma Woodhouse is a Neurodevelopmental Specialist, previously based at The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London and the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.  She is an international trainer in the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule- Second Edition) and the ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview- Revised), a member of the UK ADHD Partnership (UKAP) and a member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP).  Emma has a particular interest in autism and ADHD within forensic populations.

What is ADHD like as a young female? Zara, another young person from the youth group, has always been more inattentive than hyperactive. She talks Calum through the challenges she faces, how she copes, and what she wants to do in the future.

Clare approached the group after facing years of uncertainty with her son. 

She was soon linked up with a group mentor (who is also a parent of a child with ADHD), Nikki, who helped her build understanding, patience and strategies to improve her relationship with her son.

Listen to Arwen take us into her world as a young female with ADHD. Arwen is the youngest guest on our show so far!

 Dr Colm Lonergan and Chris Bagley convene to discuss ADHD from their perspectives as Educational Psychlogists working in different areas of the education system in England.