Center of Attention
Newsletter of CHADD of Northern California
Also at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
22 July 2001

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

===== In This Issue =====

About the Newsletter
Feature Article: The Lives of Teens
This Week
Please Tell Us
Calender of Events

===== About the Newsletter =====

The Center of Attention is CHADD of Northern California's bi-weekly
newsletter. The newsletter is designed to keep you up to date with
CHADD of Northern California's activities and updates in the field.
It's a new step toward bringing the members closer together.

===== Feature Article ======

The following article was published in ADDvisor newsletter. We are
grateful to Alan Graham and Bill Benninger of ADDvisor for permitting
us to publish this article in our newsletter.

"ADDvisorTM is your link to trustworthy, reliable information about
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). If you would like to
participate in any of our calls or our other programs, or would
simply like more information, including times and fees, call us at:
1-866-ADDvisor Or you can email Alan Graham at Alan@... or
Bill Benninger at Bill@.... We will give you the information
you request."

THE LIVES OF TEENS

The following was reported by the Add Health Project, funded by the
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. This
article explores the specific characteristics of the home and school
environments that make a difference in the health of American youth.

Home Environment

The following characteristics were examined to determine what (if
any) impact they had on the above mentioned adolescent at risk
behaviors.
o Parent and Family Connectedness. This factor represented the
highest degree of closeness, caring and satisfaction with parental
relationships -- feeling understood, loved, wanted and paid attention
to by family members.
o Parental/Adolescent Activities. The number of different activities
engaged in with parent or parents in the past four weeks.
o Parental Presence. The parent present before school, after school,
dinner, bedtime.
o Household Access to Guns. Do or do not have easy access to guns at home.
o Household Access to Substances. Do or do not have easy access to
cigarettes, alcohol, illegal drugs at home.
o Family Suicide or Attempts. The suicidal attempts and/or
completions by any family member in the past 12 months.
o Parent Disapproval of Sex. Parent disapproval of adolescent having
intercourse now.
o Parent Disapproval of Contraception. Parent disapproval of
adolescent using contraception now.
o Parental School Expectations. Mothers' or fathers' expectations for
high school and college completion.

The Results

By far the single most important factor in protecting teens from the
problems mentioned above was parent and family connectedness. When
parent and family ties were present, virtually all ages were helped
in all problem areas. Running a close second was parental presence.
Parental school expectations was also one of the more important
protective factors

On the other hand, the factor which had the most pervasive negative
influence was family suicide or attempts. Presence of family suicide
or attempts negatively affected teens across all ages and all problem
areas. As one might expect, household access to substances negatively
affected teens' substance use, while household access to guns
negatively affected violence.

The research also indicated the family characteristics that protected
teens from early sexual intercourse and pregnancy were parent and
family connectedness, perceived parental disapproval of adolescent
sex and perceived parental disapproval of adolescent contraception.

School

The big winner in the school category was school connectedness
(teachers treated students fairly, teens feel close to people at
school, get along with teachers and other students). School
connectedness, like parent and family connectedness, positively
affected every age group across every problem area.

Finally, there are emerged three individual characteristics that
appeared most beneficial in helping teens avoid problems. The first
is high self-esteem. The adolescent feels they have a lot to be proud
of, likes themselves and feels loved and wanted. The second is a good
grade-point average (good doesn't seem to be defined in the study).
The third characteristic that contributed to teen's success and has a
positive affect in many problem areas is a religious identity.

Not surprisingly, adolescent's connections to family and school make
a difference to their health and well being. Parents and family were
traditionally, and are currently, still central in positively
affecting the lives of teens. If the study indicated parents make a
difference in the lives of their adolescent by being home at key
points of the day; by conveying high expectations for school success
and behavior; by limiting access to elicit substances and guns and
most importantly by instilling in their children a sense of belonging.

======== This Week ==========

This was contributed by one of our board members Beverlee Kell

A Recent study: Pelham WE et al. Once a day Concerta methylphenidate
versus three-times-daily methylphenidate in laboratory and natural
settings. Pediatrics 2001 June;107:e105.

Interested parents can review this study at
www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/107/6/e105

This study lasted only three weeks, making it difficult to assess
potential side effects or development of tolerance to the drug. In
addition, whether Concerta is superior to Adderall, the other popular
long-acting psychostimulant, is unknown.

===== Please Tell Us! =====

We thank members for their responses to the Newsletter. Any comments,
suggestions, or criticisms will be greatly appreciated. We also
invite members to share their experiences with us. Please continue to
help us make this newsletter more beneficial to you all.

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

======== Calendar ==========

7/24/2001, Tues. 6-8:00 PM PST - Online
Chris Zeigler-Dendy - Adolescent ADHD,
CHADD Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Message Line: 510-291-2950
============================
7/25/2001, Wed. 9-10:30am - Marin
Support Group for Parents of Children / Teens with ADHD, Share your
concerns with a parent who really understands.
10 Glen Drive, Mill Valley - Contact: Mary Jo Sorensen: 415-388-8817
============================
8/1/2001, Wed. 7-9 pm - Contra Costa
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting, Ongoing, confidential
support groups for Adults with ADHD
Kaiser Mental Health, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
8/14/2001, Tues. 7-9pm - Marin
Educational Meeting - Speaker TBA,
Town Center Corte Madera Community Room, Corte Madera - Contact:
Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
8/15/2001, Wed. 7-9 pm - Contra Costa
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting, Ongoing, confidential
support groups for Adults with ADHD
Kaiser Mental Health, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
8/20/2001, Mon. 7:30 - 9pm - San Francisco
Adult Drop-In Support Group, If you have questions about AD/HD, then
this is where you should to start.
CPMC California Campus, San Francisco - Contact: San Francisco
Warmline: 415-442-1944
============================
8/21/2001, Tues. 7-9pm - Marin
Drop in Support Group, for Adults and Teens with ADHD and Significant Others
Marin Community Mental Health, Greenbrae - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
8/22/2001, Wed. 9-10:30am - Marin
Support Group for Parents of Children / Teens with ADHD, Share your
concerns with a parent who really understands.
10 Glen Drive, Mill Valley - Contact: Mary Jo Sorensen: 415-388-8817
============================
8/28/2001, Tues. 6-8:00 PM PST - Online
Tom Quinn - Dads and ADHD,
CHADD Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Message Line: 510-291-2950
============================