Amplifying young voices

When Hannah Devery received her ADHD diagnosis in 2022, it ignited a passion to help others navigate their unique journeys.

Now, thanks to the HealthCarePlus Grants for Good programme, this teacher and mother is pursuing her dream of becoming an Educational Psychologist while conducting research that puts young voices at the centre of ADHD understanding.

Hannah, a specialist teacher with 14 years of experience, is currently converting her UK Psychology Masters to a New Zealand Educational Psychology Masters through Massey University. Her research focuses on a critical gap in existing studies: how ADHD diagnosis impacts children’s identity, school and home lives – told from their own perspective.

“Although ADHD has had a lot of research over the years, there is still very little research giving the child’s voice,” Hannah explains. Her work aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly the right of children to have a voice in decisions that affect them. “The main goal of my research is to share the voices of children diagnosed with ADHD, giving their perspective on what life is like living with ADHD and therefore, providing ideas to the adults and teachers around these children on how best to support them.”

For Hannah, this research is deeply personal. As a wife and mother to a four-year-old in what she describes as “a neurodivergent household” – where her husband lives with POTS and CFS/ME – she understands firsthand the challenges some families face. “I have a passion for supporting others who are neurodivergent to figure out who they are and how to best live life with their unique brains,” she says.

The HealthCarePlus Grant for Good came at a crucial time. While Hannah had received a scholarship for a year’s paid leave through NZ Teach, her role as the sole income provider made student loans financially challenging. 

I wouldn’t have been able to study without this grant,” she says. “Life is tricky trying to provide for a husband with a disability and an autistic son, so knowing my fees were funded and I didn’t have to worry about this was a huge burden taken off our family.”

Looking ahead, Hannah hopes to complete her Psychologist Internship and continue advocating for neurodivergent children and families. Her research represents a pathway to systemic change that could transform how educators, parents and healthcare providers support young people with ADHD.

Through Hannah’s work, HealthCarePlus is not just supporting one individual’s educational journey – it’s investing in a future where neurodivergent children’s voices are heard, understood and valued in shaping the support they receive.

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