=== Center of Attention ===
Newsletter of CHADD of Northern California
Also at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
22 August 2005


-------------------------------
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**********************
>> IN THIS ISSUE <<
**********************

*Calendar of Events
*Announcements:
National AD/HD Awareness Day is September 14, 2005!
*Feature Article:
Finding Our Way Out of Disorder
*Please Tell Us
*Subscription Information
*CHADD Information

******************************
>> CALENDAR OF EVENTS <<
******************************

This calendar does not list some CHADD groups
which may be closer to you and it does not list
some non-CHADD events. For a thorough calendar,
including directions, look at:
http://www.chaddnorcal.org/schedule and also
http://www.chaddnorcal.org/schedule/otherevent.htm.


The Calendar is organized by County


============================
=== Alameda =========================
============================
- 9/8/2005, Thu. 7 - 9 pm
Albany Adult Support Group -- Come and connect
with others who really understand. Learn new
skills.
Albany Senior Center, Albany - Contact: Linda Lawton: 510-524-0350
============================
- 9/14/2005, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
- 10/12/2005, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
- 10/13/2005, Thu. 7 - 9 pm
Albany Adult Support Group -- Come and connect
with others who really understand. Learn new
skills.
Albany Senior Center, Albany - Contact: Linda Lawton: 510-524-0350
============================
- 11/9/2005, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
- 12/14/2005, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
- 1/11/2006, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
- 2/8/2006, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
- 3/8/2006, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
- 4/12/2006, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
- 5/10/2006, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
- 6/14/2006, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================

============================
=== Contra Costa =========================
============================
- 9/7/2005, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult Topical Meeting -- Free,
small, informal, drop-in peer support-group, the
first and third Wednesdays of the month. Special
Topic: Social Skills
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
- 9/21/2005, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting --
Ongoing, confidential support groups for Adults
with ADHD
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
- 10/5/2005, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult Topical Meeting -- Topic: ADHD and Health
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
- 10/19/2005, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting --
Ongoing, confidential support groups for Adults
with ADHD
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
- 10/27/2005, thru 10/29/05
Annual Conference - Learning Disabilities
Association of CA -- Three Full Days addressing
the latest brain research, educational
methods,parenting strategies, advocacy
approaches, mental health interventions and
diagnostic and medical procedures. Featuring Dr.
Ned Hallowell and more.
Concord Hilton, Concord - Contact: Learning
Disabilities Association of CA:
http://www.ldaca.org/events.html or 916-745-7882.
============================
- 10/29/2005, Sat. 9:00 am - 3 pm
Nothing About Us Without Us - Mini-Conference on
Adult Issues -- East Bay LDA is hosting: Dale
Brown, author of Job Hunting for the So-Called
Handicapped; Ben Foss, JD, film maker and
executive director of Initiative for Learning
Identities; Nina Ghiselli, Psy.D., psychologist
in private practice and chair of adult issues for
LDA-CA, is the facilitator of this one day
conference. Only $40. Includes a networking lunch!
Concord Hilton, Concord - Contact: Registration
materials: :
http://www.eastbaylda.org/conference_flier.pdf
============================
- 11/2/2005, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult Topical Meeting -- Topic: Time Management
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
- 11/16/2005, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting --
Ongoing, confidential support groups for Adults
with ADHD
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
- 12/7/2005, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult Topical Meeting -- Topic: Dealing with the Holidays
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================

============================
=== Marin =========================
============================
- 8/29/2005, Mon. 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Parent Resource & Support Group -- Call for directions in Mill Valley.
Mill Valley Home, Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria
Vogel & Holly Seerley: 415-383-6048 or
415-924-6656
============================
- 9/6/2005, Tues. 7-9 pm
Adult Support Group, with SueZee Poinsett,
Professional coach and organizer. -- Free,
drop-in peer-support group, the first Tuesday of
each month. Talk with others who really
understand. And share and develop life skills.
Marin Community Mental Health, Greenbrae - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
- 9/15/2005, Thu. 7-9 pm
Topic: Time Management 101 -- Frances Strassman, coach & organizer
Town Center Corte Madera Community Room, Corte
Madera - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
- 9/26/2005, Mon. 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Parent Resource & Support Group -- Call for directions in Mill Valley.
Mill Valley Home, Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria
Vogel & Holly Seerley: 415-383-6048 or
415-924-6656
============================
- 10/4/2005, Tues. 7-9 pm
Adult Support Group, with SueZee Poinsett,
Professional coach and organizer. -- Free,
drop-in peer-support group, the first Tuesday of
each month. Talk with others who really
understand. And share and develop life skills.
Marin Community Mental Health, Greenbrae - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
- 10/20/2005, Thu. 7-9 pm
TBA -- TBA
Town Center Corte Madera Community Room, Corte
Madera - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
- 10/24/2005, Mon. 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Parent Resource & Support Group -- Call for
directions in Mill Valley. (Note we are not
meeting on Halloween.)
Mill Valley Home, Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria
Vogel & Holly Seerley: 415-383-6048 or
415-924-6656
============================
- 11/7/2005, Tues. 7-9 pm
Adult Support Group, with SueZee Poinsett,
Professional coach and organizer. -- Free,
drop-in peer-support group, the first Tuesday of
each month. Talk with others who really
understand. And share and develop life skills.
Marin Community Mental Health, Greenbrae - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
- 11/17/2005, Thu. 7-9 pm
TBA -- TBA
Town Center Corte Madera Community Room, Corte
Madera - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
- 11/28/2005, Mon. 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Parent Resource & Support Group -- Call for
directions in Mill Valley. (Note we are not
meeting on Halloween.)
Mill Valley Home, Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria
Vogel & Holly Seerley: 415-383-6048 or
415-924-6656
============================
- 12/5/2005, Tues. 7-9 pm
Adult Support Group, with SueZee Poinsett,
Professional coach and organizer. -- Free,
drop-in peer-support group, the first Tuesday of
each month. Talk with others who really
understand. And share and develop life skills.
Marin Community Mental Health, Greenbrae - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
- 12/15/2005, Thu. 7-9 pm
TBA -- TBA
Town Center Corte Madera Community Room, Corte
Madera - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
- 1/2/2006, Mon. 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Parent Resource & Support Group -- Call for
directions in Mill Valley. (Note we are not
meeting on Halloween.)
Mill Valley Home, Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria
Vogel & Holly Seerley: 415-383-6048 or
415-924-6656
============================
- 1/30/2006, Mon. 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Parent Resource & Support Group -- Call for
directions in Mill Valley. (Note we are not
meeting on Halloween.)
Mill Valley Home, Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria
Vogel & Holly Seerley: 415-383-6048 or
415-924-6656
============================

============================
=== Online =========================
============================
- 9/7/2005, Wed. 6 - 8 pm PST
"Ask The Expert" Chat: Adult ADHD - Work and
Relationships, with Arthur Robin, PhD. --
Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Chat Web Page: www.chadd.org - Support - Chat
============================
- 9/14/2005, Wed.
National AD/HD Awareness Day --
Contact: CHADD: http://www.chadd.org/webpage.cfm?cat_id=5
============================
- 9/22/2005, Thu. 6 - 8 pm PST
"Ask The Expert" Chat: Complementary and
Controversial Interventions, with David Rabiner,
PhD. --
Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Chat Web Page: www.chadd.org - Support - Chat
============================
- 10/27/2005, Thu. 6 - 8 pm PST
"Ask The Expert" Chat: Mini Med School - The
Brain and ADHD, with Chandan J. Vaidya, PhD. --
Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Chat Web Page: www.chadd.org - Support - Chat
============================

============================
=== Out of Area =========================
============================
- 10/27/2005, thru 10/29/2005
The 17 th Annual CHADD International Conference
on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder --
Hope, Resiliency and Success: AD/HD Interventions
for a Lifetime
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dallas, TX - Contact: See Website: www.chadd.org
============================

============================
=== Sacramento =========================
============================
- 9/6/2005, Tues. 6:45 p.m.; 7-9 pm
How Parents Talk to Teachers Makes a Difference
-- Presented by Richard Lougy, MFT, M.S.C./School
Psychologist. Co-author of "ADHD: A Survival
Guide for Parents and Teachers"
Sutter Center for Psychiatry, Sacramento -
Contact: Greater Sacramento CHADD: 916-552-1557
or chaddsac@...
============================
- 10/4/2005, Tues. 6:45 p.m.; 7-9 pm
Homework Success Principles -- Presented by Dean
Garrison, M.S. Attention, Behavioral and Family
Intervention Specialist and Founder of the Center
for ADHD & Family Solutions
Sutter Center for Psychiatry, Sacramento -
Contact: Greater Sacramento CHADD: 916-552-1557
or chaddsac@...
============================
- 11/1/2005, Tues. 6:45 p.m.; 7-9 pm
What Happens When You Marry Someone with ADHD --
Presented by Dr. Cass Brown Capel, PhD and Dr.
John Capel, PhD
Sutter Center for Psychiatry, Sacramento -
Contact: Greater Sacramento CHADD: 916-552-1557
or chaddsac@...
============================

============================
=== San Francisco =========================
============================
- 9/5/2005, Mon. 7-9 pm
Women's Support Group --
CPMC Davies Campus, San Francisco - Contact: Kali
Grosberg: (510) 534-3797 or kali.g@...
============================
- 9/12/2005, Mon. 7:15 pm
Parents Education Network (PEN) Charles Armstrong
School, and SF GIANTS extend a special invitation
to: A NIGHT AT SBC BALLPARK -- ...to spotlight
Children with Learning Differences! SF GIANTS vs.
SAN DIEGO PADRES. $17 per ticket.
SBC Park, San Francisco - Contact: Parents
Education Network (PEN): 415-751-2237 or
http://parentseducationnetwork.org
============================
- 10/3/2005, Mon. 7-9 pm
Women's Support Group --
CPMC Davies Campus, San Francisco - Contact: Kali
Grosberg: (510) 534-3797 or kali.g@...
============================
- 10/11/2005, Tues. 7:00 - 9:30 pm
Richard Lavoie, M.A., M.Ed. - "It's So Much Work
to Be your Friend:" Helping Children With
Learning Disabilities Find Social Success --
This seminar will provide concrete, practical
strategies
that teachers and parents can use to improve the
child's social standing and skills. Admission is
Free. RSVP between September 1st and October 1st.
St. Vincent de Paul School Gym, San Francisco -
Contact: Deanna Gumina, Ph.D.:
dgumina@... or call: (415) 750-0612
============================
- 11/2/2005, Wed. 8:30 am - 4:45pm
SF's 2005 Hoarding & Cluttering Conference:
Community Effect, Community Response. Presented
by the Mental Health Association of San
Francisco. -- This year's conference has a
special focus on collaborative approaches to
providing comprehensive hoarding services and
resources, involving public and private groups,
consumers, providers, and the community.
War Memorial Veterans Building, San Francisco -
Contact: Mental Health Association of San
Francisco: 415-421-2926 or visit
http://www.mha-sf.org
============================
- 11/7/2005, Mon. 7-9 pm
Women's Support Group --
CPMC Davies Campus, San Francisco - Contact: Kali
Grosberg: (510) 534-3797 or kali.g@...
============================
- 12/5/2005, Mon. 7-9 pm
Women's Support Group --
CPMC Davies Campus, San Francisco - Contact: Kali
Grosberg: (510) 534-3797 or kali.g@...
============================

============================
=== San Mateo =========================
============================
- 9/17/2005, Sat. 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
"Relationships & ADD" with John and Nancy Ratey
-- Kitty Petty ADD/LD Institute's Tenth Annual
Symposium
College of San Mateo, San Mateo - Contact: Kitty
Petty ADD/LD Institute: 650-329-9443 or visit
http://www.kpinst.org
============================

============================
=== Santa Clara =========================
============================
- 9/7/2005, Wed. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Things They Never Told Me, or How a Person with
ADHD Got Organized -- Frances Strassman, Coach
and Professional Organizer
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact:
Silicon Valley Warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
- 10/5/2005, Wed. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Homeopathic Treatment of ADHD, Autism and Related
Conditions -- John Melnychuk, Palo Alto-based
homeopath.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact:
Silicon Valley Warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
- 11/2/2005, Wed. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
New Advances in the Treatment of ADD: Integrative
Approaches. -- Speaker: Michael Lara, MD,
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact:
Silicon Valley Warmline: 650-949-5472
============================

============================
=== Sonoma =========================
============================
- 9/13/2005, Tues. 7 - 9 pm
Drop-in Peer Support Group for Adults with ADHD. --
Elim Lutheran Church, Petaluma - Contact: Molly Bloom: 707- 769-1835
============================
- 10/11/2005, Tues. 7 - 9 pm
Drop-in Peer Support Group for Adults with ADHD. --
Elim Lutheran Church, Petaluma - Contact: Molly Bloom: 707- 769-1835
============================

============================
=== Stanislaus =========================
============================
- 9/6/2005, Tues. 7 - 8pm
Modesto Support Group -- (No children please)
Doctors Medical Center, Modesto - Contact: Bonnie: 209-523-4939
============================
- 10/4/2005, Tues. 7 - 8pm
Modesto Support Group -- (No children please)
Doctors Medical Center, Modesto - Contact: Bonnie: 209-523-4939
============================
- 11/1/2005, Tues. 7 - 8pm
Modesto Support Group -- (No children please)
Doctors Medical Center, Modesto - Contact: Bonnie: 209-523-4939
============================
- 12/6/2005, Tues. 7 - 8pm
Modesto Support Group -- (No children please)
Doctors Medical Center, Modesto - Contact: Bonnie: 209-523-4939
============================

*************************
>> ANNOUNCEMENTS <<
*************************

National AD/HD Awareness Day is September 14, 2005!

To learn more about National AD/HD Awareness Day,
visit the following section of the CHADD Web site:

http://www.chadd.org/webpage.cfm?cat_id=5

where you can link to a kit of materials provided by ADDA.

***************************
>> FEATURE ARTICLE <<
***************************

[Frances Strassman does Organizing and Coaching
for Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning
Differences, Chronic Disorganization, Pack Rats
and Other Interesting People.]

Finding Our Way Out of Disorder

Of course you know you are disorganized. That is
why you are reading this article. However most of
us who are disorganized do not know exactly what
we are doing to feed into the issue.

We do not know how to step outside of our self
and arrive at an objective evaluation of our part
in the disorder so that we can unravel the
mystery. Over the years we tend to become either
not able to see the details of what is happening,
or overly critical and blaming of our self.
Neither approach helps.

First, let's look at the issue of not seeing. If
you are like me, you may have spent years being
frustrated by disorganization, yet looking at all
the outside factors (which we often think to be
major contributors to our disorder) and being
irritated by these outside factors.

The problems are not outside of us.We need to
start becoming aware of the connection between
our not seeing what we are doing, and the
resulting disorganization.

Secondly, when we do not blame outside factors we
tend to become furious with our self and indulge
in blame/shame.

It is hard to be objective about what is actually
happening because we have become defensive. We
are defensive because we tie intelligence
together with being organized.

Intelligence has nothing to do with this lack of
order. Unfortunately, our society has exactly
tied intelligence and organization.

When we get disorganized, we are convinced that
we have been "acting stupid", rather than
understanding that we simply lack skills.

It is very difficult to overcome this deep-seated
belief, even when faced with the many proofs of
our intelligence and abilities.

Having a smooth, fluid means for managing our
life is something we can learn. For some reason
this is not generally taught in schools.

The way out of disorder is two pronged. First, we
need to gain objectivity. Secondly, we need to
stop blaming our selves, and instead become good
problem-solvers.

For most of us, it feels like the disorder just
happens. In order to become objective and gain a
foothold on overcoming disorder, it is essential
to become this neutral observer of our actions.
This is a tricky business because we live inside
ourselves, not outside.

For example, if there were a little bird perched
on a bookshelf in my living room, objectively
watching me when I came in the door, that little
bird would notice that I used to randomly scatter
keys, wallet, and paper work around the house.
This little bird would know that I had no idea
where I placed these objects.

Since we lack objectivity, we don't watch our
selves scatter things. They just disappear. In
fact, we have no idea where the objects went, or
we may even decide that somebody else keeps
moving them.

The second key element for change I have learned
is that as long as we continue to criticize our
selves about what we are doing or not doing, we
will not change the behavior pattern. At least
not real, deep, lasting change.

We tend to get into a rage with our self, or
waste time blaming people, circumstance, or
simply rationalizing the situation. Instead,
right at that moment of discovering we are on the
wrong track, we could ask our self "What could I
have done so that I would not lose my wallet?"

Nothing dramatic, no need to make this a big
deal. Just a simple inquiry. When I discover I
have lost something, like my keys, I can resolve
to find a home for them and always put them away.

Once we discover what would be useful we then
need to give our self a clear description of how
to change the pattern of what is not working
right. Then we need to give our self the
instruction to make No exception to this new
pattern.

How do we remember to make no exception? By
becoming totally committed, body and soul, to
staying aware of the new change we are
implementing. And by implementing just one step
at a time, and staying with it until it becomes
automatic.

The key always goes on the hook on to the left of
the inside of the front door, even when we are
just running back into the house for a couple of
minutes. Otherwise we will get distracted and
randomly set they key down.

When we allow exceptions we lose the pattern and have nothing to depend upon.

Every bit of time spent in recrimination is time
lost to solving the problem. The more frequently
we bypass the blame stage and hop over to the
solving stage, the more we will view our selves
moving forward. This is so obvious; ..........and
yet... we neglect the obvious.

It is extremely useful to become problem solvers, not blamers.

©2005 Frances Strassman. Used with permission.
http://www.morethanorder.org

**************************
>> PLEASE TELL US <<
**************************

We thank members for their responses to the
Newsletter. Any comments, suggestions, or
criticisms will be greatly appreciated. Please
continue to help us make this newsletter and
CHADD of Northern California more beneficial to
you all.

We also invite readers to share their experiences
with us and other members. Please feel free to
write to us about anything that you would like to
see published.

You can e-mail your comments to us at
Lew@.... Simply replying to this
e-mail will also send your message to the editor.

Lew Mills, Editor

************************************
>> SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION <<
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*****************************
>> CHADD INFORMATION <<
*****************************
Visit our webpage at http://www.chaddnorcal.org if you wish toŠ
* See the up-to-date schedule
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About the Newsletter:

The Center of Attention is CHADD of Northern
California's tri-weekly newsletter. The
newsletter is designed to keep you up to date
with CHADD of Northern California's activities
and updates in the field.

* CHADD Works to Improve the Lives of People with
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder through
Education, Advocacy, and Support *

Contact:

--

Lew Mills, PhD, LMFT
Editor, "Center of Attention"
CHADD of Northern California, Chapter # 504
mailto:Lew@...
http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
Fax or Voice Message: 510-291-2950
Toll Free 888-759-9758
PO Box 720302; San Francisco, CA 94172-0302