Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Calendar 2025

Monthly News - October 2025

ADHD Awareness Month

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodivergent condition with presentation of symptoms across a spectrum. Symptoms can be grouped as to whether they present as ‘inattentive’ or ‘hyperactive/impulsive’ and symptoms of one category may be more prevalent than the other.

Diagnosis of ADHD in children requires at least 6 symptom presentations, and 5 in adults however multiple symptoms must have been experienced before aged 12 (although their presentation may be different). There is no single test for ADHD and diagnosis must be carried out by a trained professional assessing against set criteria.

In recent years there has been greater awareness of the diagnostic gap for ADHD, whereby fewer women and girls with ADHD are diagnosed with the condition. Racial stereotypes have also led to missed recognition or mislabelling of symptoms in Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic children. The screening process has come under scrutiny, with calls for a more inclusive approach to enable earlier diagnosis and support. As with other neurodivergent conditions, insufficient or a lack of suitable support can in some cases impact on an individual’s mental health and opportunity to reach their potential. The aim of ADHD Awareness Month is to remove misconceptions about ADHD, educate on how it can present in children and adults and remove myths about the condition.

What this month means to me

For me, ADHD awareness month has a key role to play in the improvement of outcomes for women and girls with the condition. Having been diagnosed with ADHD later in life myself, I empathise with many other women who have felt stigmatised by the impact of living with undiagnosed ADHD symptoms throughout childhood and adolescence. Research1 suggests that women in particular are significantly under-diagnosed with ADHD in the UK, and we know that this can result in a lack of access to the appropriate support and treatment. As we all continue to work towards increasing the awareness of ADHD, I hope to see compassion and understanding towards individuals with the condition improve too, whether they have been diagnosed or not.”

1Young, S., Adamo, N., Ásgeirsdóttir, B. B., Branney, P., Beckett, M., Colley, W., & Woodhouse, E. (2020). Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in girls and women. BMC psychiatry, 20(1), 1-27

Jessica, Mental Health Advisor

Monthly Calendar

Our EDI calendar can help create an inclusive work and study environment, it can also inspire students, staff and visitors to take part in key celebrations and/or remembrance events.

The calendar highlights faith days observed or celebrated, key diversity days, awareness raising dates and public holidays.

It also focuses on the six main religions as identified in the Census of England and Wales; Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, All other religions and beliefs not included on the calendar are equally as valued and considered across our work.

Please note: The dates in the calendar were correct at the time of publication in January 2025.

To provide feedback on the calendar, please contact [email protected]