Latest news with #ADHD
SBS Australia
2 hours ago
- General
- SBS Australia
After watching her live with dementia for 11 years, I'm relieved my mum's dead
Paula Brand cared for her mother in the final years of her life while also taking care of her daughter who has autism and ADHD. Source: Supplied With ageing parents living longer and children not leaving home, what's it like to be stuck in the middle? Watch Insight episode Sandwich Generation live on SBS On Demand . My mother died six months ago. I loved her but by the end, because of the dementia, I didn't like her. Her death was a relief. I'm also a single mother, raising my child who has autism and ADHD . To have some flexibility in my life, I run my own small business. I work six days a week, split shifts. I haven't had a relationship in 10 years. Every single emotion has been flattened. I have been squeezed so much, there's nothing left. My time is squeezed. My patience is squeezed. My love is squeezed. Caring for my mother on top of caring for my child for the last six years made my life a shit sandwich. I'm not a natural nurturer, so taking on a carer's role with my mother was very difficult. She both created and was positioned in difficult situations that made everything all the harder. She ran away from the aged care centre she was living in and got together with a man who she claims ended up stealing money from her. She also had to endure COVID-19 lockdowns while in aged care . I visited my mother every fortnight, which doesn't seem much. Though, after coping with her dementia for 11 years — and having the same conversations again and again about her boyfriend — my patience and love thinned. Dementia is hard on family members and "loving trips down memory lane" experiences are very rare. I found mum's aged care centre drab and dreary. It smelled horribly of chemicals, urine and death. When you get one day off a week, it's not the place you want to spend time. You force yourself to visit. To this day, I remember the stench. My daughter refused to step foot in the door as the smell was too much. In my caring of my mother, I had to also balance and prioritise the needs of my child. As a parent, my job is to keep my vulnerable child safe. Unfortunately, my daughter suffered from consistent bullying for over a year at school. Dealing with my daughter's bullying situation, my mum dying, being a single mum and running a business while in my late 50s, was overwhelming. In the end, we can all only do the best we can do, but was I loving enough to my mother? Probably not. Some people talk about this glorious moment of seeing their loved one's last breath while holding their hand. But I wasn't with my mum when she died. I decided not to be. I had to make the choice of who needs me more. I hadn't really seen my daughter for three days and she needed me. I don't think anyone should die alone but I had said my goodbyes to my mother. Though, sometimes I do find myself hoping she didn't miss me not being there. Dementia is the longest death, and in my mother's case, it was drawn out over 11 years. It was exhausting, depressing, lonely and extremely frustrating. I was her guardian for health, accommodation, medication. Every single part of her life, I was responsible. Because of that, I never felt like a daughter again. My role as her daughter ended years ago and I grieved it then. Seeing my mother's health and mind deteriorate over a decade made me realise I will not be going into aged care. If I do end up getting dementia, for me, the decision to continue living or not, will be a very difficult one. I don't think I would choose to have that life. I would not want to be a burden for my daughter, who is going to struggle through life anyway. But for now, the burden has been lifted and I'm in an era of freedom. I bought a campervan and have taken my daughter on road trips, and we've gone on overseas holidays to Bali and Thailand. We are reconnecting after I had to have split focus, taking care of my dying mother. It may sound horrible, but now that my mum is dead, I finally — at the age of 56 — get to have a life. Readers seeking confidential information and support on dementia can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. Carer Gateway is an Australian government program providing free services and support for carers and can be contacted on 1800 422 737.
CNA
3 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
From awareness to action: Creating workplaces where neurodivergent talent can thrive
Despite Singapore ranking among the top 10 countries globally for search terms like 'neurodiversity', 'do I have ADHD' and 'do I have autism', there is still room to improve in moving from awareness to action. Only 49 per cent of neurodivergent individuals feel safe disclosing their condition at work, while 64 per cent are unaware of measures that promote inclusivity. These findings come from a recent report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), supported by SG Enable, Singapore's focal agency for disability and inclusion. Titled Neurodiversity and the Workplace in Singapore: Unlocking Potential, the report outlines how neurodivergent talent can help shape a more dynamic and inclusive business landscape, and how organisations stand to benefit from their unique contributions. Mr Sunil Chandrasekhar, managing director and partner at BCG, noted that with the right support structures, organisations can tap into the full potential of neurodiverse talent. 'Neurodivergent individuals bring strengths such as creative problem-solving and empathetic collaboration – qualities that are highly regarded in a fast-paced, purpose-driven corporate setting like BCG,' he said. Singapore is making steady progress towards its national goal of a 40 per cent employment rate for persons with disabilities by 2030, shared Mr Edward Chew, director of employment and employability at SG Enable. 'More employers are recognising the importance of inclusive hiring,' he said. 'But misconceptions about the capabilities of persons with disabilities, including those with autism, continue to pose barriers.' A common myth is that persons with autism are only suited for simple, repetitive tasks. In truth, many excel at pattern recognition and attention to detail, making them strong candidates for analytical roles. On top of technical strengths, persons with autism can lend a fresh, strategic lens to challenges. 'Their ability to listen objectively and think without bias can enhance collaboration and lead to clearer decision-making,' Mr Chew observed. Similarly, persons with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) demonstrate unique strengths, including hyper-focus, adaptability and multitasking abilities – qualities that help them thrive in fast-paced settings. In client-facing roles, persons with dyslexia can leverage their strong emotional empathy to connect with others. Their unconventional problem-solving skills and mechanical aptitude also enable them to excel in technical, hands-on work. To harness these qualities, employers should create environments where neurodivergent staff can thrive – starting with flexible work arrangements to reduce overstimulation and boost focus. Equally important is cultivating disability awareness in the workplace to challenge biases and build a culture of inclusion. According to the BCG report, 62 per cent of surveyed neurodivergent employees in Singapore said they had been misjudged as having a poor attitude – a perception that can stall careers and affect mental well-being. This creates a vicious cycle: Fear of judgment or rejection keeps many from speaking up. 'Without disclosure, employers don't act, and without action, stigma persists,' said Mr Chandrasekhar. To advance the inclusion and development of neurodiverse employees, the BCG report recommends a structured approach centred around four core elements: Leadership commitment, structured offerings and policies, community affiliation and career pathways. Driving lasting change starts at the top. Leaders must actively champion inclusive practices, noted Mr Chandrasekhar, who heads the AccessAbility team at BCG Southeast Asia – a community that drives initiatives related to neurodiversity, physical disability, chronic illness and mental health across all six offices in the region. Initiatives include awareness campaigns, professional counselling, peer communities for neurodivergent individuals and caregivers, and one-to-one mentorship programmes. Mr Chandrasekhar added that leaders should intentionally weave inclusion into everyday interactions, such as asking team members how they work best, rethinking team routines and creating space for different working styles. Amplifying lived experiences is crucial, too. Leaders can spotlight the stories of neurodivergent employees through company talks and articles, or involve them in shaping support structures that build workplace inclusivity. This not only cultivates an environment of understanding but also deepens the sense of community and belonging. Structured offerings and policies are another core element. These include fair and inclusive recruitment, progressive employment practices, disclosure channels for neurodivergent employees to seek help and practical workplace adjustments such as accessible environments featuring designated quiet spaces or sensory-friendly zones. Beyond internal efforts, organisational leaders in Singapore can harness the country's robust network of agencies, advocacy groups and institutional partners to develop integrated career pathways that enable neurodivergent individuals to advance and achieve long-term success. For instance, SG Enable administers the Open Door Programme, which offers grants for job redesign, training, recruitment and job support – all aimed at helping businesses foster inclusive workplaces. Companies that have successfully integrated neurodiverse employees into their workplaces can receive the Enabling Mark, a national accreditation framework developed by SG Enable that has recognised over 200 companies for demonstrating strong outcomes in disability-inclusive employment. UNLOCKING THE NEXT STAGE OF WORKPLACE INCLUSIVITY Citing developments like the Enabling Masterplan 2030 and support from agencies such as SG Enable, Mr Chandrasekhar expressed confidence that Singapore could become a regional leader in neurodiversity inclusion within five years. To realise this vision, he stressed the need for deeper cross-sector collaboration – uniting the Government, employers, educators and social service agencies to create a truly inclusive ecosystem. SG Enable, for instance, has introduced community-based initiatives like Enabling Service Hubs, which bring resources closer to the homes of persons with disabilities, as well as the Enabling Village, Singapore's first inclusive community space. 'Partnerships with social service agencies help promote disability inclusion and raise awareness in the broader community,' said Mr Chew. In addition to collaboration, Mr Chandrasekhar added that enabling more neurodivergent individuals to rise to leadership roles could help redefine inclusive leadership. Mr Chew also offered a powerful reminder that inclusion isn't just about policies – it's about perspective. 'What is needed most is a shift from sympathy to empathy,' he said. 'With the right roles, environments and mindsets, individuals from diverse backgrounds don't just fit in – they flourish, contributing meaningfully and enriching the workplace.'
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Diddy Personal Assistant Says Rap Mogul Sexually and Physically Assaulted Her: ‘It Was Toxic'
A former personal assistant to Sean 'Diddy' Combs, identified only by the pseudonym Mia, testified on Thursday that the rap mogul physically and sexually assaulted her and that his treatment of her depended on his mood, but that he was frequently 'toxic' and 'chaotic,' the Associated Press reported. The court has allowed a number of witnesses in the case to testify under pseudonyms to ensure their privacy and safety. 'It was chaotic. It was toxic,' Mia, who-founded Revolt Films studio with Combs, said. 'It could be exciting. The highs were really high and the lows were really low.' Combs sold his stake in the company in March 2024. She tearfully recalled being sexually and physically assaulted by Combs, including incidents where he threw her into a swimming pool, dumped a bucket of ice on her head and slammed her arm into a door. She also stated that he forced her to perform oral sex on him and would come into her bedroom expecting intercourse. The rapper let her stay at his guest houses across the country, but told her she was not allowed to leave without his permission and could not even lock the doors. Mia said she worked with Combs from 2009 to 2017 and, as previous witnesses have done, referred to him as 'Puff,' his stage name at the time. She also testified that she was not allowed to rest for as much as five days at a time and started relying on her ADHD medication, the stimulant Adderall, as a sleep substitute. She described the atmosphere around Combs as tense because his mood could 'change in a split second' from 'happy to chaotic.' She also described a 2013 incident where she jumped on his back to stop a brutal assault on his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and her stylist, Deonte Nash. Cassie's account of the abuse she endured from Combs has been corroborated from numerous witnesses, including Nash, who also testified to the alleged 2013 assault. According to the AP, Mia did not appear to make eye contact with Combs throughout her testimony. Combs has insisted that all of his sexual encounters were consensual, although he did admit to assaulting Cassie in an incident caught on a hotel camera. That headline-making attack, however, is not part of this case. The post Former Diddy Personal Assistant Says Rap Mogul Sexually and Physically Assaulted Her: 'It Was Toxic' appeared first on TheWrap.
Herald Sun
6 hours ago
- Health
- Herald Sun
'Make America Healthy Again' report cites nonexistent studies: authors
At least four of the studies cited in a flagship White House report on children's health do not exist, authors listed in the document told AFP Thursday, casting doubt on the paper outlining US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s agenda. The highly anticipated "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) report was released on May 22 by the presidential commission tasked with assessing drivers of childhood chronic disease. But it includes broken citation links and credits authors with papers they say they did not write. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the mishaps as "formatting issues" during a press briefing Thursday and said the report will be updated to address them. "It does not negate the substance of the report," said Leavitt, who expressed confidence in Kennedy and his team, and insisted that their work was "backed on good science." The errors were first reported Thursday by NOTUS, a US digital news website affiliated with the nonprofit Allbritton Journalism Institute. Noah Kreski, a Columbia University researcher listed as an author of a paper on adolescent anxiety and depression during the Covid-19 pandemic, told AFP the citation is "not one of our studies" and "doesn't appear to be a study that exists at all." The citation includes a link that purports to send users to an article in the peer-reviewed medical journal JAMA, but which is broken. Jim Michalski, a spokesman for JAMA Network, said it "was not published in JAMA Pediatrics or in any JAMA Network journal." Columbia University epidemiologist Katherine Keyes, who was also listed as an author of the supposed JAMA study, told AFP she does research on the topic but does not know where the statistics credited to her came from, and that she "did not write that paper." "I would be happy to send this information to the MAHA committee to correct the report, although I have not yet received information on where to reach them." - 'Totally fabricated' - Guohua Li, another Columbia University professor apparently named in the citation, said the reference is "totally fabricated" and that he does not even know Kreski. AFP also spoke with Harold Farber, pediatrics professor at Baylor College of Medicine, who said the paper attributed to him "does not exist" nor had he ever collaborated with the co-authors credited in the MAHA report. Similarly, Brian McNeill, spokesperson for Virginia Commonwealth University, confirmed that professor Robert Findling did not author a paper the report says he wrote about advertising of psychotropic medications for youth. A fourth paper on ADHD medication was also not published in the journal Pediatrics in 2008 as claimed in the MAHA report, according to Alex Hulvalchick, media relations specialist for the journal's publisher, the American Academy of Pediatrics. - 'Rife with misinformation' - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declined to comment, referring AFP's questions to the White House. At her briefing, Leavitt declined to answer how the report was produced and whether artificial intelligence tools may have been used to craft it, directing those questions back to HHS. The Democratic National Committee blasted the report as "rife with misinformation" in a Thursday press release, saying Kennedy's agency "is justifying its policy priorities with studies and sources that do not exist." Kennedy was approved as health secretary earlier this year despite widespread alarm from the medical community over his history of promoting vaccine misinformation and denying scientific facts. Since taking office, he has ordered the National Institutes of Health to probe the causes of autism -- a condition he has long falsely tied to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The report's chronic disease references appear to nod to that same disproven theory, discredited by numerous studies since the idea first aired in a late 1990s paper based on falsified data. It also criticizes the "over-medicalization" of children, citing surging prescriptions of psychiatric drugs and antibiotics, and blaming "corporate capture" for skewing scientific research. mgs-bmc/sst Originally published as 'Make America Healthy Again' report cites nonexistent studies: authors
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Study finds link between low Vitamin D in babies
Babies born with low vitamin D levels are more likely to develop mental disorders like ADHD, schizophrenia, and autism later in life, according to a new study from the University of Queensland. Researchers analysed data from over 71,000 people, many of whom had a mental health disorder diagnosed during childhood and early adulthood. Professor John McGrath from UQ's Queensland Brain Institute led the study and says they found evidence that people with lower vitamin D concentration as a baby had an increased risk of schizophrenia, ASD and ADHD. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
