Design project highlights ADHD clinic

Three years ago Professor Steve Baldwin set up the CACTUS (Clinical and Counselling Training Units) clinic at the University of Teesside. The clinic, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, was set up specifically to provide alternative treatments to the prescription of Ritalin to children and young teenagers who were diagnosed as suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These alternative treatments included counselling and family therapy, and the clinic was featured in an edition of BBC One’s Panorama in the same year.

After Professor Baldwin’s death in the Selby train crash of February 2001, the clinic closed. However, with a donation from Professor Baldwin’s family, the clinic re-opened in February 2003. This was featured on local television, and seen at home by final year Teesside BA (Hons) Graphic Design student Laura Hepburn.

Laura, 23, from Brotton, was inspired by the clinic’s work and decided to base her final year project around it. Mother-of-two Laura said: “There’s a massive ignorance about ADHD, some people think it’s just naughty children. When I saw the TV story I got in touch with Rebecca Anderson, who counsels children in the clinic, and she showed me some of the literature on the subject. It made me realise there’s a massive gap in the market, the literature was too hard-hitting and scary and didn’t cater for children.

“My project aims to let children communicate. The pack includes a journal where children can describe their feelings. The journal is paramount, as it’s a means for children to record their feelings and emotions, enabling their families and the clinic’s counsellors to understand more and help diffuse the ignorance of ADHD. There’s also a door hanger where children can display their feelings. I’ve also created a leaflet which re-works information about ADHD into a style children can relate to. The project also includes a mug, a bag and a yoyo. Professor Baldwin’s family have seen my project and want to fund it so it’s available to children, I’m really pleased.”

Laura’s project will be displayed at the University’s annual free Design degree show, held at the Centre North-East, formerly Corporation House, Albert Road, Middlesbrough, (opposite Middlesbrough Town Hall), from Tuesday 3 June-Friday 6 June, 10am-4pm. The work of all final year students from the following BA (Hons) courses will be displayed: Graphic Design, Design Marketing, Industrial Design, and Interior Architecture & Design.

Laura added: “I’m looking forward to my father John seeing the project on display. He’s always supported me and it’ll be nice for him to see the work now it’s all done and dusted.”

Laura is a former pupil of Eskdale Secondary School, Whitby, Whitby Community College and Westwood School of Art & Design, Scarborough.

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