Dr Lauren Powell’s article, “Helping Young People Find the Words: Exploring the Impact of Psychoeducational Materials for Neurodivergent Young People” identifies how many autistic and ADHD individuals grow up without access to clear, supportive information that helps them understand themselves. The project shows how specially designed educational resources could support ADHD and/or autistic young people and they have created an essential set of resources, with strong input from neurodivergent people, to ensure they are helpful, respectful, and easy to understand.
The project asked 71 neurodivergent adults what they thought of the resources. Almost all (95.7%) said they would have found them helpful when they were younger. They also heard from parents/carers who gave positive feedback on the new resources, with respondents saying the materials helped their children feel more confident, talk about their differences more easily, and feel better about themselves.
The study shows that when resources are made with neurodivergent people – not just about them – they can make a big difference. Using positive language, recognising both strengths and challenges, and making sure the information is easy to understand can help reduce confusion, stress, and stigma. These kinds of tools could help more children feel understood and accepted and support them to grow up with better mental health and stronger self-esteem.
Read the full article in Sage Journals: Helping Young People Find the Words: Exploring the Impact of Psychoeducational Materials for Neurodivergent Young People
Here are the resources from the project: