ADHD Ireland’s mission is to make life better for people affected by ADHD.

We are dedicated to providing up-to-date information, resources and networking opportunities to individuals with ADHD, parents of children with ADHD and the professionals who serve them.

We provide support and advice through our phone line and emails, send out information, produce publications, organise information sessions and psychoeducation, run Solution Focussed Brief Therapy courses for young people, run parenting courses, work to raise awareness of the condition and contribute to research.

We work in partnership with universities and third level colleges, government agencies and other organisations in research and the promotion of ADHD.

As a charity, we raise funds and help raise funds for the charitable purpose of the charity.

ADHD Ireland’s vision is a society in which:

• ADHD is recognised as a complex neurodevelopmental difference, which is often present from birth and can affect and impair an individual across their lifespan.
• ADHD is also recognised as an individual difference where impairments or difficulties are the result of the demands or the ways of working in school, work, and socially. If accommodations are made, people with ADHD can be successful in these settings.
• ADHD is recognised as a condition which requires timely diagnosis; leading to an integrated package of treatments and supports designed to meet the needs of the individual, coordinated by a medical professional who builds up rapport and trust over time.
• There is information and support for people with ADHD and their families. Where there is awareness and understanding among educators, employers and institutions so that school, work and institutional environments are adapted to meet the needs of the individual.
• There is an acceptance that ADHD is a difference with many positive aspects.
• All professionals and organisations involved work together to make life better for people with ADHD.

Our Vision update by the ADHD Board and Team | March 2022

From Awareness to Acceptance 

Following from our strategy day, ADHD Ireland has decided to change its mission from one of ‘awareness’ to one of ‘acceptance’. Language is important, and awareness and acceptance come from vastly different mindsets.

Awareness focuses on highlighting how different ADHD is from the neuro-norm. It educates on clusters of ‘deficits’, and suggests that anything objectionable about an individual is their ADHD. Awareness (often unintentionally) reinforces stigma. The dominant narrative can be the child with ‘problem behaviour’ in the classroom, the parents struggling each night to get their child to do their homework, the adult with another failed career or relationship, and that the ADHD is to blame.

Awareness is easy. It’s an unrepeatable thing (you’re either aware or you are not), and doesn’t require a whole lot of thinking. It’s rooted in ableism, and fails to hold society to account for exacerbating challenges and for failing to embrace true inclusion. Awareness of diagnostic criteria and prevalence rates has done little to support ADHD in education and employment, and does little to actually improve the lives of the ADHD community more generally.

We need actual steps that can and should be taken to improve the lives of those members of the ADHD community. Acceptance is about acknowledging and valuing difference in our society rather than about tolerance. It is about shifting the onus of change from the ADHD individual to society as a whole. Acceptance requires an active effort to challenge perceptions, to overcome prejudice, and to change. It is a constant process. The challenge is in acceptance, and this is where ADHD Ireland has been focusing our efforts and will continue to do so going forward.

ADHD Ireland is the national advocacy charity for ADHD and while awareness was a start it is not enough. It is only with acceptance that we can say we fulfil our mission to make life better for the ADHD community. The goal of this language shift is to refocus our efforts to driving change and improving the supports we provide to the ADHD community.

Dr. Sonia Morris, Ph.D., D.Clin.Psych

Chartered Clinical Psychologist

Director of ADHD Ireland

Ken Kilbride – CEO

My name is Ken, and I’m the CEO at ADHD Ireland. I have over 20 years experience in senior management positions in a wide range of both very large and very small not for profit organisations in Ireland. My role with ADHD Ireland is to enact the vision and strategy of the Board, and in the words of Captain James T Kirk take this ADHD organisation to where no ADHD organisation has ever been before!

Random fact about me…. I have never, ever seen a single episode of Game of Thrones.

Nicola Coss – Service Development Manager

My name is Nicola Coss and I’m the Service Development Manager here at ADHD Ireland. I got involved because I saw first hand the lack of supports for families of children with additional needs.
My role involves developing new activities nationwide; from new support groups to family socials and training events.

Random fact about me …. I love picnic bars, nighttime walks and movies with fast cars!

Tricia Madden – Administrative Assistant

My name is Tricia Madden and I work in the administration side of the organisation. I’ll probably be the first person you speak to when you contact us, and I’m here to help you with the first steps on the scary journey through the world of ADHD. If you’re feeling lost, overwhelmed or have any questions, I’m here to help.

Random fact about me…. I love going to the theatre and like going to the gym…even if it’s only for coffee and cake!

We are also supported by a network of amazing volunteers who help with events and provide support groups.

If you would like to talk to someone in confidence about ADHD, you can contact us by telephone at 01 8748349 at the Carmichael Centre in Dublin, or you can send us an e-mail

ADHD Ireland is a registered Charity – Charity Number CHY22471.

ADHD Ireland is one of the top 100 charities who have signed up as meeting the requirements of the Irish Code of Governance for Community and Voluntary Organisations.

(Please note that the information you find on our website is intended as a guide and is no substitute for professional medical/educational advice given to you personally, as each person with ADHD presents differently and as such has individual needs.)

Annual Accounts: View our latest annual accounts from 2018 here HADD-ADHD Ireland Audited Accounts 2018