Chenoa Oxley

Which of the following statements best describes you?

•  I’m a parent / guardian or other family member of a person with disability

Question 1:

What matters most to measure and report on as we seek to achieve inclusive and accessible communities for people with disability?

As a parent of a child with the neurodiverse condition of ADHD combined type and severe anxiety there is limited to no understanding on how ADHD effects and impacts on the child’s learning, mental health, daily functioning and the various types of medication that are trailed before finding the best fit. Not to mention the process of going through evaluations, doctors appointments and other health professionals to get a diagnosis before you can even look at medications. Which is even more time and out of pocket costs, and the impact it has on the child’s mental health

Question 2:

What is most important to measure and report on as we seek to achieve economic security for people with disability?

That children with ADHD are acknowledged as having a neurological condition, that their behaviour, emotional regulation and executive functions are impacted by this condition and that there needs to be changes, adaptations understanding and changes to how to manage these children’s behaviour/s without negatively impacting them

Question 3:

What is most important to measure and report on as we seek to achieve health and wellbeing outcomes for people with disability?

Inclusivity, acceptance and knowledge about the neurological condition of ADHD in the education sector. The lack of understanding and even lumping all ADHD as the same is uneducated and discriminating towards those with ADHD.
There are 3 types of ADHD
– Inattentive
– hyperactive
– combined
Not to mention the various scale of severity
And then there’s the way in which other neurological conditions impact on those with ADHD
– Anxiety
– OCD
– RSD
– ODD
even
– ASD

Question 4:

What is most important to measure and report on as we seek to achieve rights, protection, justice and legislation outcomes for people with disability?

Those (especially children) with ADHD are meet with discrimination, isolation and are consistently at risk of abuse mentally, emotionally and physically due to the lack of transparency, acknowledgement, training, understanding by those in governing bodies, education professionals.

Question 5:

What is most important to measure and report on as we seek to achieve learning and skills outcomes for people with disability?

As a parent of a child who is ADHD combined. We need to make ADHD transparent and known. The struggle to advocate and get processes put in place and have ADHD understood and seen as a real neurological condition, even when we have the documentation and strategies from professionals its all brushed aside or seen as unimportant. That we as parents need to fight, struggle and meet consistent challenges to be heard often repeatedly is just overwhelming and as far as I am concerned goes against the rights of the child as set out by UN

Question 6:

What is most important to measure and report on as we seek to achieve personal and community support outcomes for people with disability?

That we are seen, heard and have access to the same services and funding as other neurological disorders. We too have medical expenses, seek outside professional services such as Occupational therapy and psychologists and the cost of monthly medication and the impact on families

Question 7:

How often would you like to see progress against the outcomes for people with disability in the National Disability Strategy and the National Disability Insurance Scheme reported?

Children with ADHD are greatly impacted on in a positive way with access to early intervention.
And possibly by getting a diagnosis and treatment early in life there may be less of an impact on them in adult life (such as addiction, mental health)

Question 8:

Is there anything else that you think should be considered when we are monitoring and measuring the impact of activities on people with disability?

I believe that monitoring children throughout school that are diagnosed with ADHD and the strategies put in place to support them would be a great way to evaluate and adapt learning plans that best suit teaching those that are neurodiverse