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The ADD / ADHD Gazette
The FREE online ezine all about ADD and ADHD.

*** ISSUE #27 *** 1st April 2000
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IN THIS ISSUE .........

NEWS AND VIEWS:
New special needs forum
Adult ADD resources wanted
Apply for new ADHD award
Ritalin appraisal
Pen pals wanted,
Help needed in the UK

ARTICLE : Good Communication With School Is Essential

Resources

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NEWS AND VIEWS

My name is Paige aka Rebel, and I am the webmistress for the
Special Angels WebRing. This webring was founded to bring
together parents, caretakers and people who are involved in the
lives of Special Needs children. With this in mind, I wanted to let
you know of a new service that I have instituted.

I have created a message board that enables people to donate, trade
or sell medically related items to those who are in need of them.
Basically, it is a place to post the items which you are no longer
using, and enable those who may not have the financial ability to pay
for the items. It also has a place for those of you who are in need of
things but don't know where to get them. Please take a look for
yourselves at http://www.geocities.com/special_kids/classifieds.html

I also wanted to let you know about an online support group for
parents and caretakers of Special Needs kids. This is an e-mail list (or
the messages can be read on the web) and the purpose is to provide
support and assistance for those of us who deal with these special
angels. To subscribe, email to special_kids-subscribe@eGroups.com
HUGS - Rebel

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I'm a graduate student with ADD, primarily inattentive type.
I'd be interested in finding out about any resources on the net
for adults with ADD and higher education, or any suggestions
for finding "coaching" type help. I also would be interested in
finding some e-pals to correspond with and share ideas with.
Thanks! Laura lelongino@...

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NEW ADHD AWARD
Do you have an ADHD site, or indeed, a site which deals with any
childhood condition or disorder, parenting issues, education, women's
issues, indeed, any complimentary site? If so, why not apply for my
new award? Alternatively, do you know of a great site which you
would like to nominate for the award?

To win my “We Care About Kids (and adults) With ADHD” award,
simply email me ( theadhdgazette@... ) with the URL and a
quick description of the site.

Remember, your site (or any you nominate) doesn’t have to have only
ADHD content though! Any women’s, educational, parenting, health,
children’s or special needs site may apply for the award

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HELP WANTED! - The Department of Health and the National
Assembly for Wales has recently approached ADDISS (UK ADD
Information Services) as part of the process of referring Ritalin to the
National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) for appraisal. ADDISS
has been invited to prepare a submission as a part of the appraisal
process. (A selected number of medications, treatments and
technologies will be evaluated by NICE each year, and Ritalin is
one of those scheduled for the year 2000).

The assessment process will consider submissions from the
manufacturer of Ritalin (Norvartis) as well as from professional
groups (eg. Royal College of G.P.s, Royal College of Paediatrics and
Child Health) and patient groups (eg. ADDISS, The ADHD Family
Support Group and The Hyperactive Childrens Support Group)).
ADDISS has been asked to give an opinion of "the factors, apparent
to patients and those who care for them, which should properly
influence the decision about the appropriate use of this technology.
" The appraisal committee will look at such factors as what has led to
the development of the drug, its proposed use, a review of its clinical
effectiveness and cost effectiveness, & wider implications for the NHS.

If you or your group would like to submit its views for possible
inclusion with the ADDISS submission please send this in to
andrea@... no later than 1st May 2000.

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Do you know if there is a resource for kids to get in touch with
other kids who have ADD/ADHD? My son is 13 and could really
benefit from correspondence with others. Thanks for your newsletter.
It always has something helpful. Vera

IF ANYONE WOULD like to correspond with Vera's son, please
contact her at thealders@... THANKS - GAIL

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Dear Gail,
I am about to start a dissertation BUT I intend to do it from the
POINT OF VIEW OF THE PARENT. My dissertation supervisor
only happens to be the Chair of the working Group for the British
Psychological Society on ADD/ADHD. She Chaired the Working
group and after talking to her she doesn't seem to really understand.
I have to be very careful about the way that I do this. I have to be
careful that I do quote all of the official reports and it has to be a
professional document taken from the stance of a Psychologist
rather than a parent or member of a pressure group.

If I approach it purely from the point of view of a parent then I will
not get past first post because she will not accept it. I have to have
all of the things I say backed up by other psychologists. The only
way I see around this is a questionnaire that Highlights some of
our biggest problems and also fears for the future.

I only have my own opinions so I would like help with putting
together a questionnaire, from the point of view of relevant questions.
I could produce a questionnaire that had a lot of questions that were
not typical of your experiences. I would much rather that some
indication of what parents find the most relevant.

*if you are willing to fill in a questionnaire please contact me ( it will
not be a very long time consuming one)

* likewise, if you have any questions that you think are relevant.

* also, if you have any information at all that you would like including.

This is probably my one and only chance to get my experiences viewed
by someone who's influence could really affect the way ADD/ADHD is
viewed in Great Britain. She is the Chair of the British Psychological
Society working group. Her group have made the decisions on the way
that ADD/ADHD is viewed in schools by Educational Psychologists.
Thanks - d.molloy@...

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ARTICLE; Good Communication With School Is Essential
by Dixie Jordan and Virginia Richardson

(Reprinted with permission from the newsletter of The Greater
Rochester Attention Deficit Disorder Association)

Because of the number of questions and concerns that parents express
during the school year related to communication problems that have
arisen with their child's school, PACER parent trainers Dixie Jordan
and Virginia Richardson are devoting this month's Reader's Forum to
developing and maintaining good communication with school staff.

Look for Honorable Intentions

Terry Tafoya, a nationally known Native American child psychologist
and teacher, attributes most of the communication difficulties between
persons with different perspectives to the failure to consider the
Honorable Intentions of the other. Parents, for instance, may feel
that the teacher is "out to get" their child when things go wrong at
school. A teacher may feel that the parents do not understand the
child's needs. By assuming that the other person at the table has
Honorable Intentions toward the child, professionals and parents
alike will be better able to keep their energies focused on helping
the child, and not on feeling defensive or hurt.

For instance, a parent once called PACER because her son's teacher
kept him in from recess when his work was not finished on time. The
parent was angry because her son really needed to be active for a
period of time to be able to focus on his work, and she saw the
teacher's actions as picking on her son.

The advocate asked if the parent had considered the Honorable
Intentions of the teacher. What was he trying to accomplish by
keeping the boy inside? Was he simply trying to help her son keep
up with the rest of the class? The advocate suggested that the parent
meet with the teacher to discuss her concerns and decide on an
intervention on which they both could agree.

The beginning of the new school year is the best time to put good
communication practices into place -- before problems arise. Before
school starts, take your child to see his or her new classroom.
Introduce your child to the teacher and the principal, if they are
available. Once school has begun, set up a time to observe your
child in the classroom, and to meet with the teacher. Share information
that will help the teacher to understand your child, and let her/him know
that you want to be kept informed of your child's progress. Tell the
teacher to call you when necessary. By making this first contact a
pleasant one, it will be easier to deal with problems in they arise. If
desired, establish a method for communicating with the teacher
(phone, notebook, etc.).

Let professionals know when they're doing a good job. They need to
know that they are appreciated, and that the approach they're using
is working.

Sometimes parents have a hard time going to school to discuss their
child, especially when the problems relate to attitudes, interpersonal
relationships between teachers and students, or teasing between
students, because they are unsure about how the professional is going
to respond. They may believe that if they bring up a problem, the
school staff will "take it out on" their child. You need to assume that
the professionals working with your children will respond in an ethical
manner, and with Honorable Intentions.

Be Willing To Listen

Be willing to listen to what others say without interruption. If you
don't understand what is being said, ask that it be repeated or rephrased
in words you can understand. Remember, the only dumb question is the
one you didn't ask. You also have the right to expect to speak without
interruption. If you are interrupted, you may need to say, "Excuse me,
I'm not finished" in a polite manner, and continue your conversation
without becoming upset.

If you are having a problem, try to resolve it at the lowest level first. If
you aren't able to reach an agreement, go up the hierarchy -- from the
teacher to the principal, special education director, superintendent, and
school board. Remember that these people are busy, too, so leave
numbers and times when you can be reached. Be concise in stating the
problem and how you would like it resolved. If the issue is an important
one, be sure to follow up with a note confirming your understanding of
the conversation and any action that was agreed to.

Research has demonstrated that children progress more rapidly when
there is clear and ongoing communication between parents and schools.
As your child's best and most consistent advocate, you will be an even
more effective parent by developing good communication skills.

Ed Note: This article first appeared in The PACESETTER, September, 1993.
PACER is for parents of children with disabilities in Greater Minnesota.
Call 1-800-53PACER or 612-827-2966.

* * * * * * *

Ed. Note: This article appeared in the Fall '97 GRADDA Newsletter of
The Greater Rochester Attention Deficit Disorder Association PO Box
23565, Rochester, New York 14692-3565. gradda@...
Their excellent web site can be found at http://www.netacc.net/~gradda

Thank you sincerely to Dick Smith, the GRADDA Newsletter and
Web Page Editor for his kind permission to use this article.


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RESOURCES

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If you go to http://mentalhelp.net/guide/addquiz.htm you will
find a questionnaire to take to see whether you have symptoms
of adult ADD. I got the top score !!!

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Aromatherapy For ADHD and Autism In Children
Information on aromatherapy for ADHD, autistic spectrum
disorders and stressed out parents. Also general information
about aromatherapy and essential oils
http://home.freeuk.net/aromatherapist

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100% Dr. C & Elwood's ADHD page
A fun site for parents, children, and counselors to learn about
and discuss attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (A.D.H.D.)
The site also will provide activity suggestions and methods of
coping and living with A.D.H.D. http://www.doctor-c.com

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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
Items herein are published for education/information purposes
only. Any therapy, product, service, or featured web site mentioned
does NOT imply endorsement by The Gazette. Accuracy and
content of any web sites featured cannot be guaranteed. Views
and statements written by contributors are not necessarily the
views of The ADD / ADHD Gazette.

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SEE YA NEXT TIME ~ Gail Miller 2000
theadhdgazette@...

And remember ..........
"If your not making waves than you ain't kicking hard enough"