ADHD no barrier to student’s achievement
When she was five year’s old Anna Redgrave’s parents were told she would never achieve success. But she has repeatedly
proved the doubters wrong.
Her latest achievement was to graduate with a Master of Counselling (Hons) from the University of Auckland’s Faculty of
Education and Social Work with First Class Honours.
She was drawn to study Psychology at the University after many years working in the ICT industry.
It was during one of her lectures, the then 36-year-old started to realise she was ADHD.
“As she lectured I just thought oh, that describes me. I guess I felt a little excited. I always knew I was different. I
finally worked out that this square peg actually had its very own square hole.
“Finding out wasn’t a big blinder, it felt like it just happened over time. I heard a little bit here and there about
ADHD and thought it sounded a lot like me.”
Anna says getting her MA was a thrill, but also a relief.
“I felt relieved it was over. It was exhausting work - especially with ADHD.”
Anna has chosen not to medicate her ADHD, which would help her focus in study. Five years ago she failed three papers in
the first year of her studies.
“Every year my grades got a little better as I learnt strategies to cope with ADHD, and how to study. I also have an
amazing and supportive husband who taught me a few study tricks.
“By the time I graduated I received First Class Honours. That was awesome, absolutely awesome.”
Anna lives in Mt Eden and works part time for Massey University as a counsellor. She also has her own counselling
practice focusing on three areas including issues with invisible diagnosis such as ADHD, individuals experiencing
workplace problems, and working with survivors of trauma.
“As a counsellor I work with both adolescents and adults. For clients with ADHD recognition of an adult diagnosis is
very recent and it presents quite differently than in children. It is an area of neurological difference that has
received very little focus from research and supportive services.”
Anna co-facilitates four closed Facebook groups on behalf of the NZ ADHD Association - one for parents of ADHD kids with
more than1450 members and one for ADHD adults with about 350 members. There are two smaller groups; one for young ADHD
adults up to the age of 25, and another for neuro-typical individuals living with an ADHD partner.
“Neuro-typical partners may live in a chaotic world, not only with an adult partner who has ADHD, but also they may have
young ADHD children.”
In 10 years she hopes to be a public speaker. In her past career she attended speeches by Bryce Courtenay and Sir Edmund
Hilary amongst others that inspired her to take make changes to her career and set upon the direction she is now going.
“I would like to inspire others to embrace their difference, not only look at the negatives, but seek out how they might
be turned into positives.”
In the mean time she may go on to study clinical psychology.
She has some good advice for people who are diagnosed with ADHD.
“Don’t try to see it as a disaster, rather work towards understanding both the positives and negatives.”
If you would like to contact Anna check out her website at www.annaredgrave.com
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