Waterloo Road's ADHD storyline is a step forward for accepting neurodiversity in schools
tackled almost every topic affecting teenagers that you can think of, but across its hundreds of students, only a tiny handful were disabled or neurodivergent. The representation was primarily of dyslexia, alongside Karla Bentham, a very stereotypical version of an autistic student., the BBC seems set to change that, with its seven episodes having a variety of disabled characters.
Of course, she isn't just chaotic. She has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder , but she – and those around her – are not aware of this. We realise in hindsight that this is likely due to her difficulties regulating attention and impulsivity. She has outbursts of upset and anger and struggles with explaining her emotions.It's very relatable to watch her become more overwhelmed, her clear difficulty with being touched, her irritation sparking. ADHD can mean that impulsivity and differences in sensory processing cause you to react to sensory input the way Kelly Jo does, causing bigger reactions than many people can understand.
In episode four, Kelly Jo's story comes to a head. Her day starts with a meltdown because she can't find her non-scratchy socks, anxiety and overwhelm rising in the drama workshop and eventually leading to her breaking the window after everyone shouts at her.It shows the way that sensory overload, internal hyperactivity and emotional regulation differences can spiral and build up when neurodivergent people are unsupported and not given the tools they need.
"This morning I flipped out cos I couldn't find my right socks and I can never get myself together and everything's always too much or too hard… it's the noise, and the people. I just blow."This discussion happening after we see the external circumstances means viewers are forced to rework how they view her or have judged her as just naughty or disruptive – and begin to understand where it comes from.
Hopefully, Kelly Jo's story will continue and show her learning who she is and being supported by the school – there is a huge opportunity for writers to open understanding on the types of help people with ADHD need to thrive and harness themselves.
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