After years of assessments and mounting concerns about her son’s language development and hyperactivity, his dual ADHD and ASD diagnosis sparked a deeper commitment to improving neurodiversity support systems and strengthened her passion for ADHD research.
As a health economist specialising in family and child health, I’ve spent years researching child behavior, language, and learning from an economic lens. But it wasn’t until my son was diagnosed with ADHD and ASD that my understanding of neurodiversity truly deepened—and my passion for this field crystalized.
Like many parents, I initially knew little about ADHD. When my son was just over three years old, I began to notice his language difficulties and hyperactivity. Friends and family reassured me, saying he was simply an energetic boy who focused on what he enjoyed.
Even our GP, after multiple check-ups, suggested that boys often develop language skills later, especially with bilingual children like him and that his behaviour might be typical for his age.
I took comfort in these words, hoping that he would eventually catch up with his peers. But as the years passed, his language difficulties, attention and hyperactivity issues persisted, and new challenges emerged.
By the time he was seven, after over two years of consultations and assessments, we finally received a formal diagnosis for both ADHD and ASD.
Navigating the health service system was an eye-opening experience—one that I’d read about but never fully understood until I was in the thick of it. The complexities and delays we faced were frustrating and overwhelming, but they also fuelled my determination to make a difference.
This personal journey has not only deepened my empathy but also strengthened my passion in neurodiversity, especially ADHD research.
My goal is to advocate for effective strategies to increase awareness of ADHD, or efficient and effective ADHD care models to support neurodiverse children and their families.
I’m committed to advocating for a better, more accessible service system that truly meets the needs of neurodivergent individuals.
Receiving the AADPA Florence Levy Emerging Research Award has been a tremendous encouragement. This recognition of my contribution to ADHD research reminds me that my work in this area is important and needed.
As we mark ADHD Awareness Month, I’m more motivated than ever to continue my research in neurodiversity and advocate for the changes in service system or the NDIS funding allocation that will help every child with ADHD and/or other neurodivergent conditions reach their full potential.
- Ha
Learn more about Dr Le’s Research: Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions aiming to increase awareness and understanding of ADHD: A systematic review.
Professors Dave Coghill and Mark Bellgrove presenting Ha with the AADPA Florence Levy Emerging Research Award at AADPA’s 2024 Conference.
