Unmet Needs and Service Priorities for ADHD in Australia: AI-Assisted Analysis of Senate Inquiry Submissions
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Design
2.2. Data Collection/Extraction
2.3. Data Validation
2.4. Data Categorisation
2.5. Data Analysis
3. Findings/Results
3.1. Demographics
3.2. Current Problems
3.3. Services Wanted
3.4. Solutions Suggested
4. Discussion
4.1. Principal Findings
4.2. Strengths and Limitations
4.3. Comparison with the Senate Inquiry Report
4.4. Interpretation and Implications
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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| Characteristic | N * | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Gender (n = 402) | ||
| Female | 346 | 86 |
| Male | 56 | 14 |
| State (n = 315) | ||
| ACT | 34 | 11 |
| NSW | 143 | 45 |
| NT | 2 | 1 |
| QLD | 13 | 4 |
| SA | 11 | 3 |
| TAS | 12 | 4 |
| VIC | 65 | 21 |
| WA | 35 | 11 |
| Theme | AI-Generated Categories |
|---|---|
| Costly services | Access and Affordability of ADHD Coaching and Support Services |
| Financial Barriers to Accessing Therapeutic Services | |
| Financial Burden of Medical Assessments and Treatments | |
| Financial Burden of Psychiatric Appointments and Medications | |
| High Financial Costs of ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment | |
| High Costs of ADHD Assessments and Diagnosis | |
| High Out-of-Pocket Costs for Assessments and Therapies | |
| Long wait times for ADHD Appointments | Long wait times for ADHD Appointments |
| Long Wait Times for Specialist Appointments | |
| Appointment Wait Times | |
| Long Wait Times for Psychiatrist Appointments | |
| Long Wait Times for Assessments and Treatment | |
| ADHD Assessment and Treatment Wait Times | |
| Long Wait Times for Diagnosis and Treatment | |
| Long Wait Times for Pediatric and Child Psychiatric Services | |
| Difficulty Accessing Timely ADHD Assessments and Support Services | |
| Lack of specialised support for ADHD | ADHD Specialist Shortage and Access Issues |
| Lack of ADHD Awareness and Understanding Among Healthcare Professionals | |
| Lack of Support and Understanding from Healthcare Professionals | |
| Limited Availability of Qualified ADHD Specialists in Australia | |
| Lack of ongoing support for ADHD | Barriers to Accessing Affordable and Appropriate Support Services |
| Post-Assessment Support Challenges | |
| Post-Diagnosis Support Challenges | |
| Inaccessibility of Healthcare and Support Services for Adults with ADHD | |
| Limited Access to Mental Health Services | |
| Challenges with diagnosis | Challenges in ADHD Diagnosis and Support for Children |
| Misdiagnosis of Mental Health Disorders | |
| Late ADHD Diagnosis in Adulthood | |
| Dismissive Attitudes of Healthcare Professionals Towards ADHD Diagnosis | |
| Barriers and Challenges in Obtaining an Adult ADHD Diagnosis | |
| Lengthy and Complicated ADHD Diagnosis Process | |
| Lengthy and Complex Diagnostic Process Issues | |
| Inadequate Access to ADHD Diagnosis | |
| Gender bias | ADHD Awareness and Understanding in Women by Healthcare Providers |
| Gender Bias in ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment | |
| Gender Bias in Medical Diagnosis and Treatment | |
| Mental health impact | Low Self-Esteem and Feelings of Inadequacy |
| Daughter’s Emotional and Social Challenges Due to ADHD and Anxiety | |
| Emotional Regulation and Dysregulation | |
| Mental Health Challenges Related to ADHD and Emotional Struggles | |
| Mental Health Challenges and Disorders | |
| Medication inaccessibility | Limitations and Challenges of Medication-Based Treatments |
| Strict Medication Access Regulations | |
| Access Challenges to ADHD Medication Due to Regulations | |
| Barriers to Affordable Medication Access | |
| Education challenges | Academic and Professional Performance Inconsistencies |
| School Refusal and Child Anxiety Impact on Academic Performance | |
| Inadequate Support for Neurodivergent Students in Higher Education | |
| Inadequate School Support for Students with ADHD | |
| Inadequate Communication and Support for Children’s Educational Needs | |
| Teacher Training on ADHD and Neurodiversity | |
| Inadequate funding | Recognition of ADHD in NDIS |
| Insufficient Funding for ADHD Research and Services | |
| Impact of ADHD on daily life | Difficulty with Concentration and Task Management |
| Time Management and Organizational Challenges | |
| Executive Dysfunction and Daily Life Challenges | |
| Financial Instability and Risk of Homelessness | |
| ADHD and Financial Impulsivity Challenges | |
| Employment challenges | ADHD and Employment Challenges |
| Job Insecurity Due to Inability to Perform | |
| Work-Related Burnout and Mental Health Challenges | |
| Workplace Discrimination and Lack of Accommodations for Individuals with ADHD | |
| Stigma | Stigma and Misunderstandings Surrounding ADHD |
| Impact of ADHD on relationships | Family Relationship Challenges and Parenting Strains |
| Negative Impact of ADHD on Personal and Work Relationships | |
| Challenges in Maintaining Social Relationships | |
| Parenting Stress | Parenting Stress and ADHD |
| Theme | AI-Generated Categories |
|---|---|
| Affordable access to services | Affordable and Streamlined Diagnostic and Treatment Processes |
| Improved Access to ADHD Diagnosis and Support Services | |
| Affordable and Accessible Mental Health Services | |
| Access to Affordable Medication and Treatment Options | |
| Affordable Access to ADHD Medications | |
| Access to ADHD Medications | |
| ADHD Medications Coverage under the PBS | |
| Access to Affordable ADHD Coaching | |
| Access to Mental Health Professionals | |
| Ongoing support/therapy | Post-Diagnosis Support Services |
| Mental Health Support and Counseling | |
| ADHD Mental Health Support and Resources | |
| Occupational Therapy | |
| Support Services for Neurodivergent Individuals | |
| ADHD Support Groups | |
| ADHD Support Services for Adults and Families | |
| ADHD Management and Resources | |
| ADHD Coaching and Management Strategies | |
| Increased Availability of ADHD Trained Professionals | |
| Sensitive Service Provision | Gender Bias and Diversity in ADHD Research and Treatment |
| ADHD Training for Professionals Focused on Women | |
| ADHD Awareness and Education in Women and Girls | |
| ADHD Awareness and Sensitivity Training for GPs | |
| Comprehensive ADHD Assessment and Diagnosis | |
| Improved Training and Education for Healthcare Professionals on ADHD | |
| ADHD Stigma Reduction Campaigns | |
| NDIS services | ADHD Recognition and Government Support |
| Recognition of ADHD under NDIS | |
| Recognition of ADHD in the NDIS | |
| NDIS Support and Funding for ADHD | |
| School and workplace services | ADHD Screening in School Populations |
| Workplace Accommodations for Individuals with ADHD | |
| Educational Support for Children with ADHD in Schools | |
| Teacher Training on ADHD Management in Schools | |
| ADHD and Neurodiversity Training for Educators | |
| Increased Awareness and Education about ADHD in Schools and Workplaces | |
| Medicare/Financial assistance | Medicare and Subsidized Psychiatric Services for ADHD Diagnosis |
| Medicare Rebate for Mental Health Services | |
| Medicare Rebates for ADHD Services and Assessments | |
| ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Funding | |
| ADHD Support and Government Funding | |
| Increased Government Funding for ADHD Research | |
| Financial Assistance for Healthcare Services | |
| Financial Assistance for ADHD-related Costs | |
| Shorter service wait times | Shorter Wait Times for Assessments and Therapy Services |
| ADHD Diagnosis and Assessment | |
| Timely Access to ADHD Assessment and Diagnosis | |
| GPs treating ADHD | GPs Prescribing ADHD Medication |
| Theme | AI-Generated Category |
|---|---|
| Access and affordability | Increase in Medicare-Funded Psychology Sessions |
| Medicare-subsidized Access to Psychiatrists for ADHD Diagnosis | |
| Medicare Coverage for ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment | |
| Medicare Rebates for ADHD and Psychiatric Services | |
| Allowing GPs to Prescribe ADHD Medications | |
| Standardizing ADHD Medication Prescribing and Access Guidelines | |
| Equitable Pricing for ADHD Medication Across Demographics | |
| Expanding ADHD Medication Coverage under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | |
| Reducing Costs in ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment | |
| ADHD Financial Assistance and Subsidies | |
| Improving Accessibility and Affordability of ADHD Assessments and Treatments | |
| Improving Access to Mental Health Services for ADHD | |
| Access to Affordable Mental Health Services | |
| ADHD Assessment and Support Funding | |
| Increasing Funding for ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Professionals | |
| Funding and Access to ADHD Services | |
| Reducing Wait Times for ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment | |
| Reducing Wait Times for Healthcare Appointments and Services | |
| Improve provider training | Increasing Sensitivity and ADHD Awareness Training for GPs to Reduce Bias |
| ADHD Training for GPs and Mental Health Professionals | |
| ADHD Training and Support for Teachers | |
| Early Screening and Assessment for At-Risk Populations and Children with ADHD and Autism | |
| Increasing ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Capacity | |
| Holistic Treatment Approaches for ADHD | |
| NDIS recognition | Expanding NDIS Eligibility and Support for Adults with ADHD |
| Advocacy for ADHD Recognition under NDIS | |
| Inclusion of ADHD in NDIS Eligibility | |
| ADHD Recognition as a Primary Disability by NDIS | |
| ADHD as a Primary Disability under NDIS | |
| Recognizing ADHD as a Primary Disability for NDIS Support | |
| ADHD Recognition as a Disability | |
| Education and workplace support | Support Strategies for ADHD Students in Educational Institutions |
| Supporting Neurodiversity in Education and Workplace | |
| Workplace Support and Education for ADHD | |
| Increasing Access to Mental Health and Occupational Support in Schools | |
| ADHD support and resources | Improving Accessibility and Support Services for ADHD |
| Centralised ADHD Resource Website | |
| ADHD Advocacy and Accessible Resources | |
| ADHD Support Groups and Resources | |
| Support Programs for Late-Diagnosed Individuals | |
| ADHD Coaching Accessibility and Accreditation | |
| Gender awareness | ADHD Research and Gender-Specific Considerations for Women and Girls |
| ADHD Awareness and Training for Women and Gender-Diverse Individuals | |
| Research and collaboration | ADHD Research in Diverse Populations and Neuroaffirming Approaches |
| Increased Funding for ADHD Research | |
| Incorporating Lived Experiences in ADHD Service Development and Research | |
| Improved Communication and Collaboration Across Services and Sectors | |
| Reduce stigma | Community Awareness and Education on ADHD |
| Increasing Awareness and Reducing Stigma Around ADHD | |
| ADHD Awareness and Stigma Reduction Campaigns | |
| Standardised guidelines | Standardizing National Guidelines for ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment |
| Streamlined ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Processes |
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Share and Cite
Hudson, B.; Connell, S.; Kurumlian, A.; Fernandes, A.; Bhurawala, H.; Poulton, A. Unmet Needs and Service Priorities for ADHD in Australia: AI-Assisted Analysis of Senate Inquiry Submissions. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23, 123. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23010123
Hudson B, Connell S, Kurumlian A, Fernandes A, Bhurawala H, Poulton A. Unmet Needs and Service Priorities for ADHD in Australia: AI-Assisted Analysis of Senate Inquiry Submissions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2026; 23(1):123. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23010123
Chicago/Turabian StyleHudson, Blair, Sam Connell, Anie Kurumlian, Anjali Fernandes, Habib Bhurawala, and Alison Poulton. 2026. "Unmet Needs and Service Priorities for ADHD in Australia: AI-Assisted Analysis of Senate Inquiry Submissions" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 23, no. 1: 123. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23010123
APA StyleHudson, B., Connell, S., Kurumlian, A., Fernandes, A., Bhurawala, H., & Poulton, A. (2026). Unmet Needs and Service Priorities for ADHD in Australia: AI-Assisted Analysis of Senate Inquiry Submissions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1), 123. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23010123

