Finding a local support group for ADHD can be challenging in Australia. Thankfully there are some great websites online to make it easy to find an ADHD support group or resources near you. For 20 years, ADDers.org has been providing free information on their website for people coping with ADD and ADHD, their family members and friends. While based in the UK, they have a specific page dedicated to ADHD support groups in Australia, and their long-standing collection of links and resources is quite useful for anyone who is dealing with ADD or ADHD.
The objective of ADDers.org is to “promote awareness [of] Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and to provide information and as much free practical help as we can to sufferers, both adults and children, and their families in the UK and around the World via [the ADDers.org] website.”
As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, building awareness is a crucial component to coping with ADHD, as an individual, with your immediate relations; as well as within the community for better support of ADHD in our larger society. ADDers has been committed to this same effort since 1998.
The site was started by Simon and Caroline Hensby when they learned that their middle child had ADD in 1997. Simon and Caroline later divorced, and many years later Caroline died tragically from pneumonia. Simon continues to run the ADDers.org site in her memory. Caroline was also diagnosed with ADD as an adult, and the site includes resources for children with ADHD as well as adults with ADHD.
Although they are based out of the UK, they maintain a comprehensive list of ADHD support groups in Australia on their website here. They include support groups across Australia including:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
Wherever you’re located, you’re sure to find a resource or support group nearby. ADDers has been collecting links and information for some time, so they recommend checking to be sure the information is up to date.
In addition to their list of support groups in Australia, they also maintain a database of resources on ADHD which you can find here. There are book reviews according to topic, including Adult ADHD, as well as software reviews and handout cards which can be used to help educate others about ADHD. These are most useful for parents of children with ADHD.
While the website design is slightly dated, the site contains a lot of useful information that you can use for free. The site certainly delivers on its mission of delivering a comprehensive set of resources.
Dr Mahendra Perera is a General Psychiatrist who treats adult patients in Melbourne, Australia. Dr Perera has specific interests in ADHD, Mood Disorders and Addiction. In addition working with his patients, he has also contributed to research across a number of specialties and helped many young doctors make their way in the medical field. Learn more about Dr Perera.
Please note: Dr Perera has no financial arrangement with any of the providers listed on the site. These resources are provided as a courtesy to patients, and are not intended as a recommendation or endorsement.