October is ADHD Awareness Month: Understanding, Supporting, and Empowering Neurodiverse Lives

Rose Degenhardt
Oct 2
3 min read

By Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC | Founder, Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.

In Canada, October marks ADHD Awareness Month—a time to shed light on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, increase public understanding, and reduce the stigma surrounding this common yet often misunderstood neurodevelopmental condition.

ADHD affects people of all ages, but it often begins in childhood—and when it's not recognized early, it can lead to challenges in school, relationships, emotional regulation, and self-esteem that persist into adulthood.

This month, we aim to amplify awareness, encourage early support, and celebrate the strengths of those who live with ADHD every day.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulsivity, and regulation of activity levels. It presents differently from person to person and can include:

· Difficulty focusing or sustaining attention

· Impulsivity or acting without thinking

· Hyperactivity or restlessness

· Emotional sensitivity or difficulty regulating big feelings

· Challenges with time management, organization, and memory

There are three types of ADHD:

1. Predominantly Inattentive

2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive

3. Combined Presentation

It is not caused by “bad parenting,” laziness, or a lack of discipline. ADHD is brain-based, and individuals with ADHD often have incredible creativity, empathy, and energy when supported in the right ways.

A Personal Story: My Journey with ADHD as a Parent

As a mother of two neurodiverse children, ADHD is not just a diagnosis I understand professionally—it’s something I’ve lived through, loved through, and learned from every single day.

My eldest son has both autism and ADHD. By the time he was five, he could read entire encyclopedias and tell you about the human brain in astonishing detail. But he also struggled with focus, flexibility, and overstimulation.

My middle son has ADHD as well. He was the child who climbed on everything, asked a million questions, and always had three projects happening at once. There were days I couldn’t get him off the roof (literally) and days where he couldn’t finish a single worksheet without five breaks and ten snacks.

They both challenged me to parent differently, with more patience, structure, humour, and flexibility than I ever imagined possible. But they also taught me how to see the world through a lens of curiosity, imagination, and possibility. Something my OCD brain struggled with.

Being their mother made me a better therapist. It taught me the value of truly seeing a child not just their behaviours, but their needs.

The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Support

Early identification of ADHD is key. With the right support, individuals with ADHD can thrive in school, relationships, work, and life.

In Nova Scotia, there are limited resources for timely diagnosis, but we’re fortunate to have Beyond ADHD, an online service that helps individuals and families access assessments, diagnosis, and medication management from ADHD-informed professionals. Services like this are helping to close the gap for families who might otherwise wait months or years for support.

Early support can include:

· Psychoeducation for parents and children

· Behavioural therapy or CBT

· Academic accommodations

· Parenting strategies for emotional regulation and structure

· Medication (when appropriate and monitored by a provider)

· Lifestyle supports like sleep, nutrition, and mindfulness

What We Offer at Venture Counselling

At Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc., we are proud to support neurodiverse individuals of all ages, including children, teens, and adults with ADHD.

Our therapists are trained in working with ADHD, autism, and other neurodevelopmental differences using trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches. We understand that ADHD doesn’t look the same for everyone—and our therapy is tailored to reflect that.

Whether we’re working with a child struggling with impulsivity, a teen battling low self-esteem and academic stress, or an adult navigating executive functioning challenges, our team is committed to providing:

· Individual therapy

· Parent coaching

· Emotional regulation strategies

· Executive functioning support

· Play therapy for younger children

· Referrals and collaboration with other ADHD-informed professionals

We also work closely with caregivers and educators to ensure that everyone involved in a client’s life feels equipped, informed, and empowered.

Final Thoughts: More Than a Label

ADHD is not a deficit in potential—it’s a difference in processing, responding, and being. And like any difference, it deserves to be understood, supported, and celebrated.

This October, I encourage you to:

· Learn more about ADHD and how it presents across the lifespan

· Listen to stories from neurodiverse individuals and families

· Advocate for increased access to ADHD assessments and supports in Nova Scotia

· Celebrate the creativity, energy, and resilience of those living with ADHD

To the parents raising ADHD kiddos—I see you. To the teachers supporting ADHD learners—thank you. To the adults with late diagnoses who are just beginning to understand themselves—you’re not behind. To the kids with big feelings, fast thoughts, and boundless energy—you are enough, exactly as you are.