NEURODIVERSITY CELEBRATION WEEK

For Grace it’s more than business – it’s personal

At Grace Communications, we embrace neurodiversity wholeheartedly. We understand that people’s brains can sometimes work differently, influencing how they think, feel and act in a myriad of ways. Whether that’s based on our own experiences or those of friends and family, for us it’s personal.  

While we appreciate the benefits of neurodiversity, we also recognise the challenges of communicating empathetically and effectively with neurodiverse audiences. This is exemplified by our recent work helping children with ADHD to understand their condition and get the very most from treatment.   

We started by looking at the textbook definition of ADHD: a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.¹ But it was soon apparent that this rather dry definition did not encompass the real-life challenges that children with ADHD can face. So, we were determined to learn more.  

We noted that while the cause of ADHD is unknown, there’s an interplay of multiple genetic and environmental factors that are thought to lead to altered brain neurochemistry and structure.² To add further complexity, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia are over-represented in the ADHD patient population.³ Also, despite evidence of efficacy, many children who try stimulant medications for ADHD stop taking them, with reported rates of adherence varying from 25% to 50% twelve months after starting treatment.⁴ All of these things informed our thinking when considering ways to help. 

Following extensive background research – including insights from children with ADHD, families and carers – it became clear that we needed to connect with children on their terms. We needed to find a way of communicating that truly resonated with them. This led to the development of a highly visual comic-style booklet, providing a fun, interactive way to help children explore their ADHD and how it affects them.  

Our booklet explained that having ADHD doesn’t mean you are ill or damaged in some way. It just means your brain works differently to most people, which can be great or not so good, depending on the circumstances. Children were encouraged to think of ADHD as a person who is full of energy and great fun, but who can be a bit over the top sometimes too. We explained that the trick is to make friends with their ADHD, so that they can enjoy their company, but also help stop things from getting out of hand. This was accompanied by information on how their medicine can help to do this and why it’s important to keep taking it.  

"My son kept it under his pillow," one mother told us after receiving the booklet. "For the first time, he had a way to explain to his friends why his brain works differently." 

Grace’s work culminated in the development of a website for children with ADHD, which has a wealth of information for parents and caregivers too. The child-friendly design included a fun cartoon character to show them around, with downloadable resources just a click away, such as the comic-style booklet mentioned above.  

Now, in Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Grace is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the neurodiversity community. This project wasn't just about creating effective materials—it was about honoring the beautiful diversity of human minds, including those within our own team. Because when it comes to neurodiversity, for us, it will always be personal. 

ADHD: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder 

 

References  

1. National Institute of Health and Care Excellence – Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: What is it? Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/background-information/definition/

   - Accessed 16/3/2025.   

2. National Institute of Health and Care Excellence – Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: What causes it? Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/background-information/causes/

   - Accessed 16/3/2025.   

3. National Institute of Health and Care Excellence – Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: What is the prognosis? Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/background-information/prognosis/

   - Accessed 16/3/2025.

4. Charach A, Skyba A, Cook L and Antle BJ. Using stimulant medication for children with ADHD: What to parents say? A brief report. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2006; 15(2): 75–83.