ADHD makes me who I am

RAPPER J Grange is a young man any parent would be proud of. On top of his music career, he's made a name for himself as an inspirational speaker and neurodiversity advocate.

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“I had a terrible time in education,” says J.

“I felt misunderstood by everybody. I was constantly in detention, isolation, being put on report. I went through a lot of depression and anxiety. I really was a shadow of myself.”

The 23-year-old, from east London, admits he ended up in court a “couple of times” for minor offences.

But behind the scenes, things were even worse. He was having suicidal thoughts and, aged just 16, tried to end his own life.

This all happened while J was on the NHS waiting list for an ADHD assessment. A nightmare for parents all over the country, these often stretch to three years in length, leaving patients without vital support.

J ended up waiting for five years. Finally, his anxious family forked out for a private assessment an option that can cost more than £1,600. But getting a diagnosis, of ADHD and dyspraxia, proved transformative.