Senator Jordon Steele-John’s personal experience with ADHD drove him to lead Australia’s groundbreaking 2023 Senate Inquiry, bringing thousands of voices together to address systemic failures in assessment and support services.
I remember my own journey—how hard it was to find answers, let alone the right support, Senator Jordon Steele-John said, reflecting on the personal challenges of living with ADHD.
It was this deeply personal experience that fuelled his determination to lead Australia’s first Senate Inquiry into the assessment and support services for people with ADHD in 2023. This wasn’t just a political task for him; it was a mission born from lived experience.
The inquiry brought together thousands of voices from across the country. People shared their stories not just with statistics, but with raw honesty—stories filled with frustration, years of misdiagnosis, and the relentless struggle for recognition. Jordon, who had faced many of the same barriers, felt a deep connection with these narratives.
I know what it’s like to wait for years to get answers, it can take months, maybe even a year, just to get a diagnosis.
The inquiry’s findings only confirmed what Jordon and many others had long known: Australia’s healthcare system is failing people with ADHD.
The barriers are overwhelming—long waiting lists, high costs, and fragmented, inconsistent care. The emotional toll is just as significant. As Jordon described it, “For too long, ADHD has been seen as a deficit or something to be ‘fixed,’ rather than as a part of who we are.”
The inquiry marked a significant step forward, not just in acknowledging these systemic issues but in beginning to shift how ADHD is viewed. Jordon found hope in the stories of resilience and in the push to reframe ADHD as part of the broader concept of neurodiversity. He was particularly moved by those who shared how ADHD shaped their creativity and unique perspectives.
We need to stop focusing on what’s ‘wrong’ with neurodivergent people and start supporting them to thrive in a world that’s often not built for them.
The final report from the inquiry, with its 15 key recommendations, offered a framework for meaningful change, but Jordon knew the fight was far from over. “This isn’t the end,” he declared. “It’s a beginning—an important step toward a future where neurodivergent Australians, including those with ADHD, receive the care, understanding, and respect they deserve.” For Jordon, this journey was as personal as it was political, and he remains committed to ensuring that others don’t have to struggle as he once did.
