Parenting a child with ADHD can be overwhelming—but what if help was available, anytime, anywhere?

Read the full story by Oli Help, who are a partner for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference 2025, put on by the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.

Four years ago, my life took an unexpected turn. My son was struggling, and despite my best efforts, I often felt powerless. ADHD isn’t just about difficulty paying attention or staying seated—it’s about challenges with emotional self-regulation, impulsivity, and a world that often doesn’t understand neurodiverse minds.

Like many parents, I faced conflicting information, a fragmented system, long waiting times, and well-meaning but unhelpful advice.

When my son was finally diagnosed and I found support, I realized something profound: the biggest lever for change wasn’t just therapy or medication—it was me.

Shifting my behaviours, approaching challenges differently, and sometimes not reacting at all transformed our relationship. My connection with him deepened, I finally started enjoying parenting and some of the tougher byproducts of ADHD—defiance, anxiety—began to fade.

But this kind of change is hard. It takes time, guidance and practice. Making sense of diverse minds isn’t easy—neuroscience and research aren’t always accessible, and unlearning behavioural patterns we’ve carried for a lifetime is challenging, especially in the heat of a meltdown.

And let’s be honest—for children with complex and unique profiles, traditional approaches like love, logic and intuition alone may not be enough to help them thrive.

That’s why I created Oli help.

From a personal struggle to a concrete solution

Oli help is an AI-powered app designed to empower parents of kids with ADHD—or those who suspect their child might have it.

I wanted to create an app that harnesses science and technology to equip parents in similar situations with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate daily challenges and positively impact their child’s well-being.

The concept behind Oli help is simple: be there 24/7. How?

• Helping parents understand ADHD and their child’s neurodiverse mind
• Providing on-the-spot support for challenging moments
• Offering concrete, evidence-based tools for daily use

Oli Help provides trusted, judgment-free guidance to strengthen the parent-child bond in everyday life. Available on iOS and Android, it gives parents of children up to age 12 access to science-backed support in just a few minutes.

Oli, our AI-powered guide, offers emotional support and practical help while encouraging parents to rethink, reframe and respond in ways that improve the entire family’s well-being.

Unlike traditional approaches, Oli help isn’t a once-a-week session or an unread parenting book—it’s real-time, practical support, available exactly when it’s needed most.

That said, Oli help is just that—help. It will never replace the power of a parent’s unconditional love.

Why this matters for children’s mental health                    

ADHD isn’t just about attention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity—it deeply affects mental health, self-esteem, relationships and future opportunities.

Children with ADHD aren’t just restless—they often experience intense emotions, challenges with self-regulation and difficulty with social interactions.

Without proper support, children with ADHD are at higher risk of developing anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. They are more likely to struggle academically, face social difficulties and experience exclusion.

ADHD frequently coexists with dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)—creating additional challenges for families. Sadly, they are also at higher risk of severe mental distress, school dropouts and substance use.

Yet, early intervention and evidence-based strategies like psychoeducation and parent training significantly improve outcomes.

The problem? Access to timely, practical support is often delayed, expensive, or simply unavailable—leaving many parents feeling lost and unsupported.

That’s where Oli help comes in.

By equipping parents with the knowledge and tools to support and navigate ADHD, we can help children thrive, not just cope.                         

Oli help is now available in Australia!

I first launched Oli help in Italy on World Mental Health Day, then in the UK in January, and now, I’m proud to announce that at this year’s Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference in Brisbane, Oli help is available for parents in Australia.

Because every parent should be empowered to help their child thrive.

🔗 Discover Oli help today – Available on the App Store and Google Play.

Oli Help are a partner for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference 2025, put on by the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.