=== Center of Attention ===
Newsletter of CHADD of Northern California
Also at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
April 10, 2006

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>> IN THIS ISSUE <<
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*Calendar of Events
*Announcements
*Feature Article: Medication Moralists
*Please Tell Us
*Subscription Information
*CHADD Information

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>> CALENDAR OF EVENTS <<
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This calendar does not list some CHADD groups which may be closer to you and
it does not list some non-CHADD events. Events more than a month in the
future may also be omitted. 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 ================
============================
- 4/12/2006, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting -- Network with other parents as we share
experiences and listen to speakers on topics related to parenting ADHD
children.
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton
Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
- 4/13/2006, Thu. 7 - 9 pm
Albany Adult Support Group -- Come and connect with others who really
understand. Learn new skills.
Albany Senior Center, Albany
Contact: April Ancel: 888-759-9758
============================
- 4/26/2006, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
South East Bay Parent Support Group --
Forest Park Elementary School, Fremont
Contact: Shari: 510-386-7642
============================
- 5/10/2006, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting -- Network with other parents as we share
experiences and listen to speakers on topics related to parenting ADHD
children.
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton
Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
- 5/24/2006, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
South East Bay Parent Support Group
Forest Park Elementary School, Fremont
Contact: Shari: 510-386-7642
============================
- 6/14/2006, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting -- Network with other parents as we share
experiences and listen to speakers on topics related to parenting ADHD
children.
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton
Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
- 6/17/2006, Sat.
Annual Strategic Planning and Election Meeting for CHADD of Northern
California. --
TBA - Contact: Lew Mills: 888-759-9758

============================
=== CONTRA COSTA ===========
============================
- 4/19/2006, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting -- Discuss issues relating to
having lived an undiagnosed life with ADHD and how to make the "here and
now" awesome!
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek
Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================

- 5/3/2006, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting -- Discuss issues relating to
having lived an undiagnosed life with ADHD and how to make the "here and
now" awesome!
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek
Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================

- 5/17/2006, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting -- Discuss issues relating to
having lived an undiagnosed life with ADHD and how to make the "here and
now" awesome!
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek
Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================

- 6/7/2006, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting -- Discuss issues relating to
having lived an undiagnosed life with ADHD and how to make the "here and
now" awesome!
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek
Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================

- 6/21/2006, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting -- Discuss issues relating to
having lived an undiagnosed life with ADHD and how to make the "here and
now" awesome!
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek
Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================

============================
=== MARIN ==================
============================
- 4/20/2006, Thurs. 7 ­ 9 p.m.
SPEAKERS MEETING- Corte Madera
Speaker: Holly Seerley, MA, Marriage & Family Therapist
Joys & Challenges of Living with & Around ADHD Traits
What are the joys and challenges of living with and around ADHD traits? From
the point of view of ADHDers, parents, teachers, spouses, friends.
Corte Madera Town Center community room
Contact: Beverlee Kell 415-789-9464

============================
=== SACRAMENTO ============
============================
- 5/2/2006, Tues. 6:45 p.m.; 7-9 pm
Theresa Davis, Therapist, MFT presenting "AD/HD and Self Esteem". Teens
welcome to this presentation! Followed by support breakout groups.
Sutter Center for Psychiatry, Sacramento
Contact: Greater Sacramento CHADD: 888-759-9758 or
send e-mail to chaddsac@...
===========================
===SAN FRANCISCO ==========
===========================
- 4/17/2006, Mon. 7 - 9 pm
Adult Success Group -- Share skills and strategies for success at home, in
the workplace, in relationships, etc.
Kaiser - French Campus, San Francisco
Contact: Rick Webster: 925-765-2890
============================
- 4/19/2006, Wed. 6 - 7:50 pm
"Developing Minds" Video: Producing and Communicating Ideas A success
oriented approach to understanding and demystifying students¹ learning
profiles, that focuses on strengthening strengths and developing strategies
that work for children, adolescents, parents and teachers.
San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco
Contact: Marilyn Dong, Librarian: Resource Collection for Learning
Differences ­
415-557-4540
============================
- 5/3/2006, Wed. 6 - 7:50 pm
"Developing Minds" Video: Thinking with Numbers -- ...A successrieted
approach to understanding and demystifying students¹ learning profiles, that
focuses on strengthiening strengths and developig strategies that work for
children, adolescents, parents and teachers.
San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco
Contact: Marilyn Dong, Librarian: Resource Collection for Learning
Differences ­
415-557-4540
============================
- 5/15/2006, Mon. 7 - 9 pm
Adult Success Group -- Share skills and strategies for success at home, in
the workplace, in relationships, etc.
Kaiser - French Campus, San Francisco
Contact: Rick Webster: 925-765-2890
============================
- 6/19/2006, Mon. 7 - 9 pm
Adult Success Group -- Share skills and strategies for success at home, in
the workplace, in relationships, etc.
Kaiser - French Campus, San Francisco
Contact: Rick Webster: 925-765-2890

============================
=== SANTA CLARA ============
============================
- 4/11/2006, Tues. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Support Group for Partners! -- (Note: This is not a couples group; it is
solely for those who have a partner with ADHD.)
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto
Contact: Gina Pera: Send e-mail to partnersupport@... or call the
warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
- 4/19/2006, Wed. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Silicon Valley Adult and Parent Support Groups -- Support for Adults and
Parents, with Coach Michael Hinckley and Peggy Goodman.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto
Contact: Silicon Valley Warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
- 5/3/2006, Wed. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Speaker, Amen Clinic staff member -- Topic: To Be Announced
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto
Contact: Silicon Valley Warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
- 5/4/2006, Thu. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Kitty Petty Institute Group. -- To Be Announced: Please check back for
speaker and topic.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto
Contact: Kitty Petty ADD/LD Institute: 650-855-9925 or visit
http://www.kpinst.org
============================
- 5/9/2006, Tues. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Support Group for Partners! -- (Note: This is not a couples group; it is
solely for those who have a partner with ADHD.)
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto
Contact: Gina Pera: Send e-mail to partnersupport@... or call the
warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
- 5/17/2006, Wed. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Silicon Valley Adult and Parent Support Groups -- Support for Adults and
Parents, with Coach Michael Hinckley and Peggy Goodman.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto
Contact: Silicon Valley Warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
- 6/1/2006, Thu. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Kitty Petty Institute Group -- Discussion and Sharing Of Successful ADD/LD
Strategies and Coping Skills
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto
Contact: Kitty Petty ADD/LD Institute: 650-855-9925 or visit
http://www.kpinst.org
============================
- 6/7/2006, Wed. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Speaker, Harry Verby, M.D.(topic to be announced)
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto
Contact: Silicon Valley Warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
- 6/13/2006, Tues. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Support Group for Partners! -- (Note: This is not a couples group; it is
solely for those who have a partner with ADHD.)
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto
Contact: Gina Pera: Send e-mail to partnersupport@... or call the
warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
=== SONOMA =================
============================
- 4/11/2006, Tues. 7 - 9 pm
Drop-in Peer Support Group for Adults with ADHD --
Elim Lutheran Church, Petaluma
Contact: Molly Bloom: 707- 769-1835
============================
- 4/26/2006, Wed. 7-9 pm
Adult Support Group -- Free, drop-in. Learn tools, get support and training
in learning to live with AD/HD. Each week will focus on specific topic.
Quaker Meetinghouse, Santa Rosa
Contact: Pauline Laurent, Certified Life Coach:707-578-4226
============================
- 5/31/2006, Wed. 7-9 pm
Adult Support Group -- Free, drop-in. Learn tools, get support and training
in learning to live with AD/HD. Each week will focus on specific topic.
Quaker Meetinghouse, Santa Rosa
Contact: Pauline Laurent, Certified Life Coach:707-578-4226
============================
- 6/28/2006, Wed. 7-9 pm
Adult Support Group -- Free, drop-in. Learn tools, get support and training
in learning to live with AD/HD. Each week will focus on specific topic.
Quaker Meetinghouse, Santa Rosa
Contact: Pauline Laurent, Certified Life Coach:707-578-4226

===STANISLAUS===========

No activities at this time

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>> ANNOUNCEMENTS <<
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A NEW WOMEN¹S SUPPORT GROUP IN SAN FRANCISCO

The CHADD women's support group is open to all women seeking a place to
share their experiences and find ways to live productively with their
ADD/ADHD. Group meets the first Monday of the month through June 2006.
Meetings include a check-in and discussion initiated by an article or topic
that is emailed to those who have provided their email addresses. Copies of
articles are also available the evening of the meeting for women who drop
in. Contact group facilitator Kali Grosberg, CCHT at (510) 534-3797 if you
have any questions.

PROJECT ON SPECIAL EDUCATION & TRANSITION SERVICES: SEEKING STORIES FROM
FAMILIES

Lewis Bossing, an attorney with the Legal Aid Society - Employment Law
Center in San Francisco (www.las-elc.org)is working with attorneys from
Protection & Advocacy, Inc. (www.pai-ca.org) and the Disability Rights Legal
Center (www.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org) on a project relating to
special education services. We're focusing on "transition" services that
school districts are supposed to provide to assist students in moving from
school to adult life. We're looking for families with children receiving
transition services (or who should be receiving such services but aren't)
who are willing to tell us about their experiences and about any problems
they may be having. Please contact Lewis Bossing at (877) 593-0074 or (415)
864-8848 ext. 268, or lbossing@....

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

[The following article has been published with kind permission from Lew
Mills, PhD, LMFT, a Bay Area psychotherapist working with Attention Deficit
in Adults.]

** Medication Moralists **

There is always reason for caution in prescribing pharmacological remedies.
Effective treatments almost universally entail some "side-effectiveness"
too. Because of the stakes, particularly in the treatment of children, it is
all the more important that treatment decisions be driven by an assessment
of the measurable benefits and the scientifically evidenced risks.

A Scientific Question or a Moral Dilemma?

Unfortunately, the debate over medical treatments for ADHD frequently evokes
a disproportionately emotional reaction. The arguments seem to overflow, far
beyond the medical decision involved, and inundate a broad territory of
social issues. Decay of the nuclear family, under-funded schools,
ineffective discipline, social entitlement, over-competitiveness, a loss of
the value put on character, and many others issues stream into the
discourse.

Rather than address the technical argument about whether the positive
effects of a medication are worth the risks, we are pulled into a maelstrom
of social criticism. Instead of compassionately treating a disabling
condition, we get caught up in "medication moralizing"

Access to Care, not just Appeals to "Character"

Most of us might endorse one or more of the moral agendas that are advanced
by "medication moralists." The call for "character" is a program that I
would readily support. But we desperately need to separate the "moral" and
the "medical" issues in order to act more intelligently and responsibly on
both.

Particularly, the appeal to "relying on character" as an alternative to
treatment inhibits access to care. When treatment is considered as evidence
that a person has not tried having more "character", then treatment becomes
less attractive to anyone who takes some pride in the strength of their
character.

This debate has not saved our children from sin, but rather kept many of
them from success. Those who would benefit from treatment have another
obstacle to overcome, where there were many already. Those who truly seek to
improve their character have also been led astray with simple but empty
answers.

So long as the moral and medical issues are confounded in this way, we
cannot be fully intelligent about either. Hiding a moral agenda under the
surface of feigned concern about treatment cannot shed any light on moral or
medical decisions.

The Message in the Pill

As evidence that a covert moral question persists as an undercurrent in the
treatment debate, I would point to the recent FDA advisory panel decision.
The panel recommended that prescriptions for stimulant medications should be
slowed down. The phrases "runaway train" and "out of control" were invoked.
The concern is not that medication is being prescribed to the wrong
children. More accurate diagnosis is not being called for. Rarely have the
benefits and efficacy of these medications been brought into this
discussion. The objection is that there is just too much prescribing. Even
though the scientific evidence did not support a reconsideration of the
risk/benefit balance, a dire "black box" warning about health risks was
advised simply in order to "slow down" the "epidemic" amount of treatment.

Dr. Nissen, the FDA panel member championing the black box warning, admitted
unapologetically that "Some of this is policy driven, as well as evidence
driven", (lack of evidence notwithstanding). If medical treatment of ADHD
represents a moral "policy" question, what is it? If there is "a message in
the pill", what does it make us question?

Personal Responsibility

Ever since discovering that pharmacology can treat behavioral disorders, we
have wondered whether chemicals can change "who we are." Does the use of a
medication represent a crutch for those who would take a shortcut on
exercising their own self-control? Just because there is a chemical that
increases the ability of a person with ADHD to be responsible, does that
mean that those who aren't treated are not responsible for their actions?

The existence of these medications might seem to undermine our sense of
personal agency, responsibility, and character. If a chemical supports
self-control, does that mean that self-control is actually illusory? The
message in the pill does seem to threaten to undermine our traditional
conceptualization of autonomy and responsibility.

So if a scientific discovery triggers anxiety about moral drift, what are we
to do about it?

When Science and Morality Collide, Both Get Cratered

When Galileo produced scientific evidence that the earth is not at the
center of the universe, it threatened to change man's relationship with God
and the Church. Of course, the evidence was of little persuasive power. Much
later, Darwin's revolution removed the human species from its place above
and beyond the world of animals. Although scientific method can never be
definitive, the evidence proves fairly persuasive on this matter. But the
evidence will always remain muddled to those who hang a moral metric on a
scientific question. And what is worse, real moral introspection is derailed
in the false battles with science's dissenters.

Does dogmatically clinging to traditional views help forestall scientific
discovery? Apparently not much. And moral rigor does not seem to collapse in
the wake of our expanding scientific understanding. In the long run, the
"moral" concerns about the efficacy of medications are not likely to change
the actual scientific findings. Instead, medication moralists are likely to
merely impede access to appropriate health care, with no discernable benefit
to anyone.

Don't Shoot the Messenger

Blaming the pill for the message it seems to carry is a tragic mistake.
Whether it is from a concern about children's character, the erosion of
concepts about responsibility, questions about effective parenting or
whatever, reducing the appropriate use of an effective treatment for a
disabling disorder is not going to solve any problems.

Shooting the messenger is not a strategy. The questions brought up by the
availability of medical treatments for behavior problems will not go away.
Just as Jupiter's moons will continue to circle around Jupiter, and not the
earth, wishing it were different changes nothing.

Let Science Be Scientific. Let Medicine Treat.

Moral judgments can't resolve medical questions. Recognizing that we need to
make changes in the social sphere does not excuse us from our more immediate
responsibilities. We still need to help people with ADHD by maximizing
access to proven effective treatments. We are still shamefully short of
helping all the people that could be helped. Where treatment questions
arise, we need to use science to learn what works. Trying to distort
treatment decisions in order to support our personal models of a moral
universe can only distract us, Šat best.

The side effect of making a moral issue out of a medical decision is that
treatment is compromised. There is collateral damage in this culture war
debate: It is our children and adults with ADHD. The inevitable effect of
medication moralizing is to reduce access to some of our best treatment
options.

When we cry wolf about medications, doctors are more hesitant to treat. They
will be inclined to prescribe less effective treatments or give less
accurate diagnoses. Parents are an easily frightened group, because they
really do care about their children's treatment. Adults will be more
reluctant to seek treatment. And even children themselves will pick up on
the "black box" attitude and resist their own treatment.

Aside from being bad medicine, moralizing about medications is not solving
any social problems either. In fact it steals energy from our discussions of
very real issues in families, schools and our society. We end up sounding
glib as we suggest replacing medications with more attentive parenting,
better-funded schools and so on. If those are real goals, which they should
be, let's really address them. Let's not simply agitate about medication and
then smugly retreat as if we have accomplished something.

Our Moral Test

Let's look at the real moral question before us. But before you pick up your
#2 pencils, listen to these instructions. If God is testing our moral
clarity with this dilemma, we should be reminded that She often infuses Her
quizzes with ample irony. Given a multiple-choice question, the simple
answer is usually a trick. And if we are lucky, Her test helps us to think
through to the truth, where we least expect it.

Here is how I read the quiz: If I were to boil down the objection to the
"message in the pill", it would be that medical treatments might undermine
our notions of "character." A more recent incarnation of the traditional
concept of character is now circulating as "emotional intelligence." Science
confirms the critical role of character, or emotional intelligence, in our
children's and in adults' lives. Surprisingly, emotional intelligence is
very closely related to a similar concept "executive function" which is
precisely where people with ADHD are challenged.

We may not be ready to say that medical treatments can "build character."
But treatment clearly makes it easier for people with ADHD to access the
strength of their character. That would be the primary goal of an effective
treatment: When confronting a character-challenging situation, wouldn't it
be better to exercise restraint, to be able to solve problems thoughtfully,
to pay attention to salient information, to see priorities in perspective,
to consider consequences? Aren't these the markers of good character?

Providing people with ADHD treatments that support their being their best
selves is not pandering to a weakness. Nor is it corrosive of moral
character. Rather than undermine self-determination, treatment gives people
a tool to help them make their own best decisions. When we make treatments
available, we support the character of those who choose to improve
themselves.

Let's be careful to not jump to the simple answer, confounding science and
moral issues. Let's take the time to see how treatments are a compassionate,
moral response to the problems faced by people with ADHD. And when we come
to the real test, let's keep our eye on what makes all of us better people.


**************************
>> 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@... or
Kristin@... . Simply replying to this e-mail will also send your
message to the editor.

Kristin Stanberry, Editor
Lew Mills, Editorial Consultant

************************************
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>> CHADD INFORMATION <<
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Visit our webpage at http://www.chaddnorcal.org if you wish to:
* 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 *





Kristin Stanberry
Editor, "Center of Attention"
CHADD of Northern California, Chapter # 504
mailto:Kristin@...
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