Today I've just been enrolled to become an Official Ambassador of the registered charity ADHD UK. In addition to fundraising, I'm now a member of their press panel and will contribute to policy creation. Exciting times ahead. I agree, @Mike Greene, giving back is important. Volunteering and fundraising are in my DNA - I did a gap year teaching in Madagascar before University and have been involved in fundraising for projects there ever since. And when I was Chair of my children's primary school PTA, we tripled our profit in the first year, even if I did ruffle a few feathers in the process. Outside skills can have a dramatic effect on the charity sector, indeed.

As a solopreneur, my challenge is finding enough hours in the day sometimes! I do need to improve my prioritisation, though. A timely reminder, thanks @Mike Greene

@Phil Meakins you raise an important point about the diagnostic interviews, and I completely understand your perspective, especially given your experience with your children being diagnosed during school age. It is a common and understandable observation. You are absolutely right that many of the individual questions on screeners like the ASRS-v1.1 can feel highly relatable. This is by design; the criteria are based on universal human experiences. The critical distinction clinicians are trained to make is not whether someone ever experiences these things, but the degree, frequency, and, most importantly, the lifelong functional impairment they cause. For a formal adult diagnosis, there must be clear evidence that these core traits: - Were present in childhood (before age 12) - Have persisted for at least six months - Are pervasive (occurring across multiple settings like work, home, and social life) - Cause significant functional impairment (for example, consistently missing deadlines despite effort, chronic relationship conflicts over forgetfulness, or an inability to manage finances). This is what the full assessment process, using the tools you mentioned, is designed to uncover. For instance, the WFIRS-5 is specifically designed to measure that impairment across life domains, and the DIVA-5 is a structured interview built to establish that developmental history from childhood. You are spot-on that "everyone's a bit ADHD" in terms of individual symptoms, which is exactly why this comprehensive assessment is so crucial. It distinguishes between normal human variation and a genuine, impairing neurodevelopmental difference. Quite often those receiving an late-adult confirmed diagnosis have a comprehensive catalogue of examples to show. Your experience with your children getting the right support shows exactly why this process is so valuable. The goal is not just a label; it is the understanding and strategies that come with it. The earlier the better, but it is never too late.

@Mike Greene thanks for the generous reply. You have perfectly described the crucial choice: a self-aware identity ("this is me, and I need to work with it") versus a self-limiting identity ("this is me, and it is why I cannot"). Providing solutions for both of these is precisely why I became an ADHD coach and strategist. Most of the late-diagnosed adults I work with are fired up for change and being more impactful. I can appreciate, however, that some newer to the workforce might face different challenges and fall into the self-limiting camp. This is rarely a conscious choice; many had vital support systematically withdrawn at 18 and have to reapply from scratch with entirely new services just as all the challenges of adulthood start. Your point is vital: the label itself is neutral. Its outcome is determined by the culture, resources, and accountability wrapped around it. This is where enlightened business leaders and their mentors can achieve extraordinary results. By fostering the right supportive structures, they can help individuals reframe a self-limiting identity, turning neurodiversity into a strategic advantage. This boosts not only individual and corporate performance but also, from an HR perspective, significantly lowers churn rates.

The concept of Fridays is a bit lost on me right now as I try and build a new business, but I do try and include in a few more elements into the day to help me transition though to a space where I can try and recharge my batteries a bit more easily (formerly known as weekends). The extra coffee and a walk outdoors gave me a much needed boost this morning. Have a good one folks!

I wouldn't be part of this illustrious community if I hadn't been doom-scrolling! Seriously though, it is a major problem I agree - one thing that helps is if it's considered a priviledge rather than a right. So after some of those "hard" tasks have been done, it can be seen as a reward. But here's the thing - you set a timer on your phone to remind you to stop (and another one for 5 mins after if you're prone to ignoring the first one).