Dr Zoe Cross, Experienced Clinical Psychologist Supporting Adults and Children

Many people think ADHD only involves distraction and difficulty concentrating. However, ADHD is often better understood as a challenge with regulating attention. This means a person may struggle to focus on some tasks while becoming intensely absorbed in others.

One of the most common questions parents ask is whether their child's difficulties are related to ADHD, autism, or both. The answer is not always straightforward because some children display characteristics associated with both conditions. However, understanding the key differences can provide valuable insight into a child's experiences and needs.

Many people assume ADHD means having a short attention span or being easily distracted. However, ADHD is more accurately understood as a difficulty with attention regulation. This means that while someone with ADHD may struggle to focus on routine or uninteresting tasks, they may also experience periods of intense concentration known as hyperfocus.

ADHD and autism are both neurodevelopmental conditions that can affect how children think, learn, communicate and interact with the world around them. Although they share some overlapping characteristics, they are distinct conditions with different patterns of behaviour, attention, social communication and sensory processing. Understanding the signs and symptoms of ADHD and autism can help parents seek the right support and assessment when concerns arise.

At June's support group, our second one, we were joined by Lana Grant. Lana is an autism specialist who provided valuable insight from both her professional and personal perspectives, sharing her experiences as an autistic adult and as a parent of children with neurodiverse needs. Drawing on her extensive background in education and autism inclusion, Lana discussed her work over the past twenty years with schools and families supporting autistic children and young people.

May’s free parent drop-in session in Alrewas marked the first step in bringing together a local community of parents of neuro-divergent children. We had a great turnout with 22 parents in attendance. We served hot drinks as everyone arrived and gave people the chance to chat together. Dr Zoe Cross, Cross Psychology, introduced the thinking behind Crossing the Spectrum and explained how it was developed, along with who she is and what she does.

People often associate ADHD with distraction, poor concentration and difficulty staying focused. However, many individuals with ADHD also experience something known as hyperfocus. Hyperfocus is a state of intense concentration where a person becomes deeply absorbed in a task, activity or interest for long periods of time, sometimes to the exclusion of everything else around them. For some people, hyperfocus can feel productive or enjoyable, particularly when working on creati

Every child is unique, we know this, so it follows that your support will need to work specifically with your child, within the existing family dynamic, in a way that feels as natural as possible.

Child’s play is a serious business. It’s how they learn to be human. Through play, children experiment, imagine, problem-solve, connect and make sense of the world around them. Play is vital for every stage of a child’s development. It supports thinking skills, language, creativity, coordination, and emotional resilience.

If you’ve ever watched a child try to read the same sentence three times and still not take it in; or found yourself starting a book only to realise your mind has wandered halfway through page one, you might start to ponder the connection between ADHD and dyslexia. They are often referred to as separate conditions, but for many people they co-exist.

For anyone, leaving home is exciting and overwhelming all at once. But if you’re autistic or have ADHD, the shift can feel extra huge: new routines, new people, new expectations. The good news is that you can absolutely thrive, especially if you go in prepared. Remember, everyone needs to adapt to successfully adjust to university life; and everyone’s journey is unique to them.

Why summer holidays can be challenging for neurodivergent children So the holidays are almost upon us… which bring with them a freedom from routine, weeks to fill - away from the school bell and the daily familiarity of classmates. They might include a change of scenery such as a holiday or time at holiday clubs, with grandparents or carers while parents are at work. Whatever the summer holidays looks like for you and your family, it’s really important to consider the needs o

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A clinical psychologist - supportive and here to help, who also has had all the training in knowing how to do that effectively.

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By working cohesively, we look at every way to be supportive. What could integrated care mean for you?

Understanding ADHD brings powerful shifts in perspective... ready to embrace your strengths?

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Hyperfocus isn't just intense concentration - it might be your hidden superpower.