Local health services working to empower young people with ADHD to be a part of their own treatment.

Bedfordshire and Luton Community Health Services have been working with young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to help them manage their own health and wellbeing.

Historically, ADHD treatment has been monitored by the people around young people such as their parents, carers or teachers.  However, the young people that use the community paediatrics service in Bedfordshire felt it was important that they were involved and able to contribute to the management of their own ADHD treatment.

Young people aged 13 to 17 years old worked with paediatricians to develop a form with questions they felt they should be asked when discussing their treatment. The form is now used by young people and community paediatrics across Bedfordshire and Luton and has given a voice to young people who have ADHD.

The treatment response form is empowering and supporting young people to be actively involved in their own treatment and care, also aiding positive transitions into adulthood. The young people who participated in this project said, “It is about us, so we should be involved”.

You can view the full case study here.