(UK) N. Yorks: Campaigner has 10K signatures to make neurodiversity education compulsory

Oct 30, 2026, North Yorkshire campaigner’s ADHD petition passes 10,000

A North Yorkshire campaigner excluded from mainstream school as a teenager has passed a major milestone in his bid to make ADHD and neurodiversity education compulsory.

Ryan Swain, 36, from Malton, won more than 10,000 signatures within two weeks, triggering a formal written response from the Government.

His campaign calls for all schools to teach pupils about ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence in an age-appropriate way.

Mr Swain said: "When I was at school, I was labelled naughty, disruptive and difficult.

"Nobody explained ADHD to me.

"Nobody helped me understand why I struggled with things that other children seemed to manage.

"I was excluded from mainstream education at 14.

"It took years for me to understand myself."

Mr Swain grew up with undiagnosed ADHD and Tourette’s syndrome. He says the conditions contributed to behavioural difficulties and his eventual exclusion from school.

He believes earlier understanding and proper support could have changed his childhood.

Earlier this month, he joined discussions on diagnosis, early intervention and education at Westminster’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for ADHD.

He said: "Reaching 10,000 signatures is incredibly emotional because this campaign has never been about me. . . .