Debbie McGough - A Parent's View: My Battles with ADHD in Grassroots Football

The Football Mental Health Alliance

FMHA Founder, Danny Matharu meets Debbie McGough - a mum of two boys who is fighting for ADHD equality in grassroots football.

It is estimated that 1 in 5 people have some form of ADHD/neurodiversity.

Debbie reveals what neurodiversity is and explains what ADHD and ASD are as well as how medication works.

She exposes the many difficulties neurodiverse players face every weekend and how ADHD and ASD can affect the whole team.

Debbie shares the difficulties families like hers can face and how all of us in grassroots need to educate ourselves and support ADHD more.

She shares tips on how clubs and coaches can support neurodiverse players more.

This episode is quite upsetting in parts as Debbie is open and honest about the challenges she and her football-loving 'neuro' boys have had to overcome to be able to enjoy the sport we all love.

"He's not normal!",

"I don't want my son around that!",

"He shouldn't be playing with normal children",

are just some of the disgusting things Debbie has heard about her boys.

This episode will resonate with anyone who lives with neurodiversity and all parents/carers/families who have young people living with ADHD and the like.

For those who don't have experience with neurodiversity, it will open your eyes to how we all need to be more understanding, less judgemental and ultimately more kind to situations and conditions we don't understand.