Earlier today, the Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, together with the Minister for Equality, the Hon Christian Santos, and the Minister for Education, the Hon Prof John Cortes, announced the publication of an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Pathway. This falls under the Neurodevelopmental pathway published last year and sits alongside the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Pathway. This further demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting children with neurodevelopmental conditions and their families.

The ADHD Pathway provides a detailed framework to guide the diagnosis, support, and management of ADHD in children and young people. Recognising that a diagnosis is just one part of the journey, the pathway is designed to ensure ongoing, personalised support that addresses the unique challenges of living with ADHD.

Developed in collaboration with professionals from the GHA, the Department of Education, the Supported Needs and Disability Office and the Care Agency, the ADHD Pathway emphasises a multidisciplinary, person-centred approach. It sets out clear processes for pre-assessment, assessment, and post-assessment care, incorporating evidence-based tools such as the Conners Questionnaire and NICE Guidelines to ensure effective support.

The Minister for Education, the Hon Prof John Cortes, said: "Ensuring that children with ADHD receive the right support is fundamental not only to their educational success but also to their well-being. This pathway provides clarity and structure, ensuring that pupils, parents, and educators have access to the necessary resources to help children with ADHD thrive in school and beyond.” 

The Minister for Equality and Disability, the Hon Christian Santos, said: "Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential and this pathway is an important step in breaking down barriers for young people with ADHD. By taking a multidisciplinary, person-centred approach, we are ensuring that children and their families receive the necessary guidance and assistance throughout their journey. This initiative demonstrates the Government’s commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and equality of opportunity for all."

The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: "I am delighted to be launching our ADHD pathway for children and young people. Since becoming the Minister for Health and Care, I have been very keen to increase the support and diagnostic pathways available for those with neurodevelopmental conditions. This ADHD pathway is the second individual pathway we have now published and sits under the general neurodevelopmental pathway already published last year. I want to make very clear that for the Government his is not just a glossy document or piece of paper, but it is instead a tool to guide and support families. I would like to thank every single person involved in the multidisciplinary team who created this pathway and my colleagues Ministers Santos and Cortes for their assistance in getting this over the line."