Use ADHD Awareness Month to come together and provide support for those with ADHD. Whether you’re an employer, educator, EDI lead, or HR manager, use our helpful guide to learn all about the event and how you can get involved.
ADHD Awareness Month is a global event held every October to increase public understanding of ADHD. Coordinated by the US-based ADHD Awareness Month Coalition, the campaign encourages the sharing of reliable, science-backed ADHD resources and aims to reduce stigma for those in the ADHD community.
ADHD Awareness Month began as ADHD Awareness Day in 2004 and gradually grew into a month-long event as more and more organisations became involved. Originally, it was celebrated only in North America, but has since grown support further afield, with organisations across Europe, including the UK, participating in awareness initiatives throughout October.
Every year, the organisers select a theme that helps to illuminate what it’s like for people living with ADHD. Last year’s theme, ‘The Many Faces of ADHD’, highlighted that there’s no single ADHD experience and focused on spreading awareness about how ADHD presents differently from person to person. This was a much-needed message considering there are still approximately 2 million people in the UK with undiagnosed ADHD.
This year’s theme is yet to be announced, but you can keep an eye out for updates on the official ADHD Awareness Month website.
One of the main reasons events like ADHD Awareness Month are so important is that they help to fight stigma and challenge misconceptions around what ADHD is and what it looks like. When we share research-backed information on the reality of ADHD, it not only ensures that ADHD individuals feel seen and heard, but it also encourages those without a diagnosis to reach out and get help if they need it.
Common misunderstandings and judgements around ADHD:
By coming together for ADHD Awareness Month, we can challenge myths like these and make sure the right information gets shared.
There are lots of different ways to get involved with ADHD Awareness Month. Here are some simple ideas:
If you have ADHD yourself, why not share something online that helps to depict your experience of ADHD? It might be a piece of art, a poem, a story, or even just a few words about how you feel and why awareness is important to you. Don’t forget to add ADHD Awareness Month hashtag: #adhdawarenessmonth
If you’re an ADHD ally, you might want to show your support by reposting ADHD awareness content or even fundraising for ADHD. ADHD UK have lots of helpful information about how you can fundraise for them and the types of activities people have done in the past.
Respect for neurodivergence is a key part of creating an inclusive workplace. If you’re inspired to take part in ADHD Awareness Month and want to bring it into your workplace, why not explore the following ideas?
Highlight ADHD stories on LinkedIn or via your company newsletter: Ask employees who feel comfortable sharing their experience to write a short post or quote about what ADHD looks like for them. This can help to normalise different working styles and promote acceptance.
Host team meetings and workshops with an ADHD focus: Why not invite a specialist speaker or set aside time to walk through practical adjustments that help ADHD employees? This is also a good opportunity for managers to open up a conversation about what support looks like on an individual level.
Raise money with a team bake sale or sports event: Pick a charity such as ADHD UK or ADHD Adult UK and set a small, achievable fundraising target. Team-based activities like this are an easy way to get the whole office involved, even those who might not otherwise engage with awareness campaigns.
Use the ADHD symbol across your workplace: You may have seen a multicoloured butterfly along with ADHD awareness posts – this is widely recognised as the official ADHD awareness symbol, chosen to represent the many different aspects of ADHD. You could incorporate it into your email signatures or share it on company pages to show visible support.
Work through resources on the ADHD Awareness Month website: The ADHD Awareness Month official site offers free toolkits and printable materials designed specifically for workplaces. Why not work through these resources as part of a neurodivergence training session? They’re a simple way to get involved without having to create your own materials from scratch.
ADHD Awareness Month takes place every year from 1st October to 31st October. It is a month-long global event dedicated to raising awareness, sharing reliable resources, and celebrating the achievements of the ADHD community.
Orange is the primary colour associated with ADHD awareness, symbolising energy, focus, and warmth. You’ll often see it used alongside the multicoloured butterfly symbol, which represents the diverse and unique ways ADHD presents from person to person.
While the ADHD awareness movement originally started as a single day back in 2004 (and even briefly became a week), the organising coalitions eventually transitioned it into a month-long event. Today, the focus is on ADHD Awareness Month spanning the whole of October.
You can take part by sharing science-backed resources online using the hashtag #adhdawarenessmonth, fundraising for charities like ADHD UK, hosting educational workshops in your workplace or school, or creating something that represents your ADHD experience. For free digital assets, you can visit the official ADHD Awareness Month website.
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