title: Women’s and girls’ ADHD diagnosis journeys: A mother-daughter autoethnography

authors: Wheaton, Belinda

subjects: Health policy

abstract: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remains underidentified, underdiagnosed and undertreated in women and girls. Research exploring their diagnostic experiences across national contexts is limited, despite an urgent need for experience-based knowledge to address epistemic injustices in healthcare. Using a collaborative autoethnographic approach, this study examines the diagnosis journeys of a mother and daughter, both with ADHD. We focus on critical incidents in the daughter’s ADHD/dyslexia diagnosis journey over a decade, spanning childhood to adulthood and two health systems: England and Aotearoa New Zealand. Findings reveal how limited understanding of ADHD in girls/women, combined with co-occurring conditions, contributed to repeated missed or misdiagnoses by teachers, education psychologists, psychiatrists, paediatricians and general practitioners. A network of professionals across health and education settings acted as gatekeepers, often unintentionally hindering access to support. Moreover, the experiential knowledge of both women was frequently sidelined, perpetuating epistemic injustice. We discuss implications for policy and practice and highlight the value of lived experience in addressing systemic barriers to ADHD diagnosis, recognition and understanding for women and girls.

text: Women’s and girls’ ADHD diagnosis journeys: A mother-daughter autoethnography Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remains underidentified, underdiagnosed and undertreated in women and girls. Research exploring their diagnostic experiences across national contexts is limited, despite an urgent need for experience-based knowledge to address epistemic injustices in healthcare. Using a collaborative autoethnographic approach, this study examines the diagnosis journeys of a mother and daughter, both with ADHD. We focus on critical incidents in the daughter’s ADHD/dyslexia diagnosis journey over a decade, spanning childhood to adulthood and two health systems: England and Aotearoa New Zealand. Findings reveal how limited understanding of ADHD in girls/women, combined with co-occurring conditions, contributed to repeated missed or misdiagnoses by teachers, education psychologists, psychiatrists, paediatricians and general practitioners. A network of professionals across health and education settings acted as gatekeepers, often unintentionally hindering access to support. Moreover, the experiential knowledge of both women was frequently sidelined, perpetuating epistemic injustice. We discuss implications for policy and practice and highlight the value of lived experience in addressing systemic barriers to ADHD diagnosis, recognition and understanding for women and girls.

year: 2026

title: Preparation and characterisation of decoloured Novatein and modified PLA blends

authors: Izuchukwu, Sandra C.P.

abstract: Modified Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) was blended with Decoloured Novatein® (DNTP), a thermoplastic protein material using reactive extrusion to produce a degradable material with improved properties compared to neat Decoloured Novatein®. PLA was modified through free radical grafting of itaconic anhydride to create reactive side-chain groups. Varying ratios of DNTP/ PLA-g-IA or PLA were prepared. Blending DNTP with PLA was found to increase tensile strength  between 22% to 538% and modulus between 201 GPa to 3193 GPa, whereas the strain at break decreased between 80% to 94% depending on the blend ratio. The glass transition temperature of the blends which was measured as the tan δ peak, also revealed an increase when compared to neat DNTP.  Scanning electron microscope revealed an enhanced interfacial adhesion between the two phases in the blends with PLA-g-IA suggesting a more homogenous microstructure. WAXS result revealed an insignificant decrease in the crystallinity of the blends compared to neat DNTP, indicating that blending with PLA had no structural effect on DNTP. The results show the possibility and feasibility of blending DNTP with PLA for use in agricultural and packaging applications.

text: Preparation and characterisation of decoloured Novatein and modified PLA blends Modified Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) was blended with Decoloured Novatein® (DNTP), a thermoplastic protein material using reactive extrusion to produce a degradable material with improved properties compared to neat Decoloured Novatein®. PLA was modified through free radical grafting of itaconic anhydride to create reactive side-chain groups. Varying ratios of DNTP/ PLA-g-IA or PLA were prepared. Blending DNTP with PLA was found to increase tensile strength  between 22% to 538% and modulus between 201 GPa to 3193 GPa, whereas the strain at break decreased between 80% to 94% depending on the blend ratio. The glass transition temperature of the blends which was measured as the tan δ peak, also revealed an increase when compared to neat DNTP.  Scanning electron microscope revealed an enhanced interfacial adhesion between the two phases in the blends with PLA-g-IA suggesting a more homogenous microstructure. WAXS result revealed an insignificant decrease in the crystallinity of the blends compared to neat DNTP, indicating that blending with PLA had no structural effect on DNTP. The results show the possibility and feasibility of blending DNTP with PLA for use in agricultural and packaging applications.

year: 2017

title: Te Whakatōhea Maurua

authors: Maxwell, Te Kahautu

abstract: Te Whakatōhea Maurua is a Whakaeke item that was composed to commemorate the rangatira of Te Whakatōhea that lost their lives in the colonial wars of the mid nineteenth century at the hands of the Te Arawa people who were loyalists to the Crown. This composition was composed also to bury the hatchet between Te Whakatōhea and Te Arawa. This composition was performed by Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti at the Te Matatini World Championship Kapa Haka Competition 2013

text: Te Whakatōhea Maurua Te Whakatōhea Maurua is a Whakaeke item that was composed to commemorate the rangatira of Te Whakatōhea that lost their lives in the colonial wars of the mid nineteenth century at the hands of the Te Arawa people who were loyalists to the Crown. This composition was composed also to bury the hatchet between Te Whakatōhea and Te Arawa. This composition was performed by Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti at the Te Matatini World Championship Kapa Haka Competition 2013

year: 2013