ADHD diagnosis at 55 inspires councillor to retire

A senior councillor said being diagnosed with autism and ADHD (AuDHD) at 55 inspired his retirement from local politics in Essex.

Will Russell stepped down as Conservative group leader on Brentwood Borough Council in October, and said he would retire as a councillor in May.

He said he had recognised some of his own undiagnosed traits in his eight-year-old son, who had had an autism diagnosis. He admitted being "tired of the political shenanigans" and "masking all the time had taken a toll on me".

Russell, who has held the Brizes, Stondon Massey and South Weald seat since 2021, now plans to create a wellness retreat for neurodiverse people.

The former hairdresser recalled his AuDHD being "clear as day" while growing up, but he had never sought a proper diagnosis, despite his suspicions.

His son's diagnosis marked a key turning point in his father's life.

"You worry about your child - will they be able to have friendships? Love? Relationships? Who will look after them once I'm gone?" Russell said.

He explained certain traits Joshua had - such as flapping his hands and walking around on his tiptoes - reminded him of himself as a child.

"It was like a spotlight on the traits I had. After that, then I got the diagnosis," Russell said.

The councillor said his diagnosis, which he received in the past year, had come as a "huge relief at first", but also as a "painful" fact to come to terms with.

He said living with AuDHD felt like being under a "cloud of confusion" and described himself as a "frustrated perfectionist".

"I realise there are other people who have this late diagnosis who feel that way, which is why I really wanted to look for a retreat," he said.

However, Russell said his feelings of "hyper-empathy" had empowered him to help others in his role as a councillor.

Between 250,000 and 600,000 people over the age of 50 in England may be autistic but undiagnosed, a study of care records in 2023 suggested.

Russell has been offered woodland in Doddinghurst, just north of Brentwood, as a potential base for his retreat and he wants to obtain planning permission for it.

He said it would consist of yurts where neurodiverse people and their families could relax in a sensory environment, and stated it had received support from Essex County Council.

A spokesman for the Reform UK-led county council said: "While neurodivergence is a medical matter under the health services, improving our local SEND [special educational needs and disabilities] system remains our priority.

"The pressures on the SEND system are unfortunately recognised as a national challenge, as highlighted in our latest inspection report, and we are taking steps to improve outcomes for children and families."

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