There is much talk about neurodiversity these days. This term refers to brains that are wired differently from those of the average person. As nature photographer, conservationist, author and TV presenter Chris Packham explores in his BBC 2 series Inside Our Minds, more people are being diagnosed with ADHD, autism and dyslexia than ever before.
The subject of neurodiversity is often invoked in the debate about whether we are over-diagnosing, or responding to something being chronically undiagnosed. As is often the case, there is a worry that we jump too quickly to diagnosis without a sophisticated understanding of what something actually is and means. If this happens, diagnosis can become a block to understanding and getting help. (See my letter in The Guardian 7 March 2025 on this complex issue.)
I was very struck by Chris Packham’s programme on ADHD, first broadcast in May 2025; and particularly by the portrayal of its wonderful young subject Henry, pictured above. On one level, Henry is bright, articulate an engaging and brilliant London tour guide, but underneath he struggles with low self esteem, anxiety and organising his life. Chris is invited into his home and Henry shows him the chaos within. What is moving is Henry’s vulnerability and Chris’s remarkable sensitivity to him. It would be so easy to judge, and Henry knows this only too well. This is what he does inside his mind.
Henry’s mind is depicted in a most creative manner. As part of process of making the programme, top film makers, animators and graphic designers are brought in to bring to life what happens in his mind. The short film they make depicts Henry in his living room, with another Henry alongside him who he calls ‘The Tombola Man’. The Tombola Man is a kind of alter ego who continually bombards the actual Henry with balls, each one representing one of the million-and-one requests and demands for him to attend to. In another part of the documentary, Henry describes how the onslaught of thoughts are exhausting because they are at the same time dominating, eclipsing his ability to remember other things and, on the other hand, often don’t quite break the surface sufficiently to allow him to attend to them. So keys, appointments, parties, dissertation meetings get forgotten and Henry continually feels like he lets people down and as a consequence is hugely frustrated with himself and ashamed. He really suffers.
The brilliance of this programme is that the medium of short film conveys so much and helps family and friends truly understand what it feels like for Henry to struggle with his ADHD. When the families attend the film’s viewing, they are invited into Henry’s mind. Scales fall from their eyes and they see him with greater understanding and compassion. I learned much from this programme. From informed understanding can spring real rewards like patience, and the ability to think about someone’s behaviour radically differently.
In my view, these are potentially life-changing and attitude-shifting programmes. Thank you Chris.