WE CANNOT LET OUR CHILDREN FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS 🚨

Every child in Northern Ireland deserves the right to understand how their brain works and to receive the support they need to flourish in a timely matter. 

I started this petition because the current system for identifying ADHD in Northern Ireland is failing our children. Right now, many parents face a "postcode lottery" for support.

By the time a child is diagnosed, they have often already missed years of vital educational and social support.

 I am calling on the Northern Ireland Assembly to mandate universal ADHD screening for all primary school pupils (ideally in Primary 4) to ensure early identification and equitable access to resources.

Educational Inequality

Without universal screening, children from disadvantaged backgrounds or those with less "obvious" symptoms especially girls are frequently overlooked until they reach secondary school, when it is often too late to prevent significant academic gaps.

 Early identification allows schools to implement Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and classroom adjustments immediately, transforming a child's school experience from one of frustration to one of success.

Long-Term Health

Untreated ADHD is linked to higher risks of physical health issues and long-term nervous system dysregulation, costing our Health and Social Care (HSC) budget significantly more in the long run.

How you can help

Sign this petition,your signature tells the Department of Education that early intervention is a priority.