ADHD funding described as just ‘a sticking plaster’ by charity

16-year-old Mai lives with her family in Church Village near Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The possibility that she had ADHD was flagged about three years ago, but she has had to wait a long time to be seen – two-and-a-half years.

It is a complex condition, but people with ADHD may act impulsively, seem restless or not be able to concentrate.

Mali said being in school was hard, adding: “I couldn’t sit in class for a full hour and concentrate.

“I was here, there, everywhere. My mind goes a hundred miles an hour when someone’s talking.”

Though she has had a diagnosis, Mali will have to wait until April or May for another assessment before she can be given medication.

Her mother, Natalie, said that was a disgrace.

“I’m really quite angry about it. It really does affect her day to day. Her education’s really suffered,” she said.

“She wasn’t able to concentrate in school, and knowing from speaking with other parents and reading up on it a lot more, the medication would have helped her concentrate.”