Last September, Adam introduced a bill in parliament requiring universal screening for neurodivergent traits in primary schools. He described it as a ‘deeply personal’ campaign as he has both severe dyslexia and ADHD. As the vice-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG) on ADHD and related issues, Adam campaigns to bring positive change to the lives of people living with ADHD.
The Young People and Families team at SDAS, a service commissioned by Somerset County Council, supports young people using substances and those impacted by the substance use of family members. The team has seen a noticeable increase in the number of young people presenting with ADHD and using substances as a way of managing their symptoms. As a result, we they have adapted their approach to better support them, helping young people navigate school related difficulties, advocating on their behalf, and encouraging healthier coping strategies.
Adam learnt about how sessions are adapted for people with ADHD, such as incorporating movement that helps reduce anxiety, access to fidget tools, discussions on neurodiversity and referral routes to assessment. He also heard about the challenges the service is working to address which includes increasing better understanding in schools on the link between substance use and neurodiversity, building partnerships with ADHD assessment services, and tackling the reduction of funding for young people’s substance use services.
The outreach team at SDAS meet young people at a place of their convenience, such at home, school, and community centres to enable better engagement and tailored support. The aim is to provide harm reduction information and practical strategies that will enable young people to make safer choices. Hospital youth workers are on hand to support young people at the most difficult of times, ensuring that they get the support they need before they have been discharged.
The team works with young people so they can set themselves goals they would like to achieve. These goals may range from complete cessation of substance use to reducing certain negative impacts of their substance use. An estimated 92 per cent of people achieve the goals they set.
Since last April, the service has supported 271 young people. Around 40 per cent were affected by a parent’s substance use and 60 per cent use substances themselves.
Adam Dance, Liberal Democrats MP for Yeovil, said:
“I was hugely impressed by the work the Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service is doing to support young people, especially those with ADHD and other neurodivergent traits. They are adapting their approach, working closely with schools and families, and meeting young people where they feel most comfortable.
“Hearing how long waits for assessment can lead some young people to struggle in silence only strengthens my determination to push for earlier identification and better support in schools.
“Services like SDAS are stepping in at critical moments. My focus in Parliament is to make sure fewer young people reach that crisis point in the first place.”
Dawn Holmes, Operations Manager and National Children & Young People (CYP) Lead for Turning Point, said:
“We were delighted to have Adam Dance visit the service as we share his passion to increase the support that is available for neurodivergent young people.
“Whilst we continue to work extremely hard to create programmes, build relationships with local agencies, and advocate for our young people with ADHD, it is crucial that the education system has the knowledge and capacity to recognise signs of ADHD and also how it can be linked to substance use and complex needs.
“Adam’s campaign for statutory training for teachers to help them identify and support children with neurodivergent traits, alongside the work we do with schools in Somerset will, I hope, lead to fewer young people turning to substance use as a means to cope with ADHD.”