Dexter’s Dream

Dexter’s Dream started with a simple question.

I asked my son, Dexter, what he wanted to be when he grows up.

Dexter has ADHD. We have always spoken about this openly, not as something to be hidden or corrected, but as part of who he is. Neurodiversity is not a flaw. It is a difference that should be visible, valued, and celebrated.

His answer stayed with me.

He said he wanted to create something that goes into schools. Not just to help children with ADHD understand themselves, but to help everyone else see it too. As he put it, “The hardest part isn’t me having ADHD. It’s when other people don’t get it.”

That idea never left him.

More recently, while choosing a book at school with a teaching assistant, Dexter realised there were no books that represented him. He said he had only ever seen a couple of books about autism, and none that reflected ADHD or neurodiversity more broadly in a positive, everyday way.

No characters like him.

No stories that celebrate difference.

No quiet message that his brain is something to be proud of.

That moment is where Dexter’s Dream stopped being an idea and became something real.

This fundraiser is the first step in bringing Dexter’s vision to life.

Dexter’s Dream is a child-led project built on a simple belief: neurodiversity should be part of school culture, not something explained only when a problem arises.

Schools often have policies around inclusion, and when concerns are raised, many respond with care and commitment. That support matters. But it is often reactive. By the time intervention is needed, children are already navigating misunderstanding or stigma.

The aim of Dexter’s Dream is to close that gap.

Children should grow up already knowing that different brains exist, that they bring different strengths, and that those differences make classrooms richer. Neurodiversity should be something children admire and value, not something they are taught to tolerate or make allowances for.

Funds raised will support:

A growing collection of age-appropriate books that positively represent and celebrate neurodiversity

Neurodiversity-friendly spaces within schools that make difference visible and valued

Practical tools such as fidget toys that support focus, regulation, and inclusion

Support for schools to do more during key celebration moments, including Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Neurodiversity Pride Day, and condition-specific months such as ADHD Awareness Month

Funds will be shared across multiple schools. Dexter’s school will be one of the first to receive resources, but this project is not about a single school. It is about building something that can grow, spread, and reach more children over time.

As Dexter’s Dream develops, the ambition is to:

Donate books and resources to additional schools

Build social media pages to share learning, celebration, and progress

Create a website as the project grows, making ideas and resources accessible to more communities

All funds raised will be used directly for books, resources, and materials donated to schools. There is no personal benefit to me, and transparency will always be central to this project.

This may have started with a conversation in a car, but it is driven by a child who believes that difference should be celebrated before it ever needs to be explained.

Dexter is ten years old.

He has ADHD.

And he believes his brain is something to be proud of.

Dexter’s Dream is just beginning.

Thank you for supporting, sharing, or helping this grow.

Where is started - click here

Find us on Facebook - click here

Transparency

This is a parent and child-led project inspired by Dexter’s vision.

My identity and the origin of this project can be verified via my LinkedIn post sharing Dexter’s story above in 'where it started'.

All funds will be spent directly on books and resources donated to schools in Dexter's name.

Updates, progress, and spending will be shared openly via posts and updates on this page.

Transparency and accountability are central to how this project will run. If you have any questions then DM me on my LinkedIn.

Thank you for the support, it means a lot to us all xx