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

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

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

Announcing "News from CHADD"
About the Newsletter
Feature Article: Tips on the management of adult ADD - Part 4.
This Week
Please Tell Us
Calendar of Events

===== Special Announcement =====

As part of our commitment to outreach and education, National CHADD
is pleased to launch "News from CHADD," an electronic newsletter
provided free of charge several times monthly to CHADD members and
the general public alike.

"News from CHADD" will provide a compilation of timely topics and
developments including:

* CHADD press releases
* CHADD public policy developments
* Information on CHADD events and meetings
* Key announcements and other "hot" developments related to AD/HD
* New studies from the science on evidence-based treatments
And more.

Each "News from CHADD" will include a volume and issue number as well
as a topical headline. All "News from CHADD" newsletters will be
posted on the CHADD public web site.

News from CHADD is a free public service. We anticipate rapid growth
to an expanding audience. Please review several issues of "News From
CHADD". If you want add free subscribers to distribution list, do so
by contacting Majordomo@... with the following command in
the body of your email message: subscribe news.

If you know somebody who would like to add their name to this mail
listing. The should visit http://www.chadd.org/update/newsfromchadd
and simply fill in the form to join the News From CHADD!

===== 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 step toward bringing the members closer together.

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

The following article was published in ADDvisor newsletter in July
1999. 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."

TIPS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF ADULT ADD- PART 4

This month we list the final of the four categories of management
tips for adults with ADHD created by Edward Hallowell, MD and John
Ratey, MD. The four categories are: 1)insight and education;
2)performance management; 3)mood management; and 4)interpersonal
life. This month we will share the suggestions for enhancing
interpersonal life.

Make a good choice in a significant other. With the right mate, an
ADD adult can thrive.

Learn to joke with yourself and others. The more you can have a sense
of humor and be relaxed you can be with your symptoms such as getting
lost, being tactless, forgetfulness, the more others will be able to
be forgiving.

Schedule activities with friends. Adhere to these schedules
faithfully. Keeping connected to people is critical.

Find and join groups. People with ADD find great strength from group
support. They feel liked, appreciated, understood and enjoyed.

Don't stay too long where you aren't appreciated or understood. ADD
people become drained and demoralized by negative groups.

Pay compliments. Notice other people. Work on building your social
skills. Using a coach enhances this.

Set social deadlines. Just as you set dates and deadlines and
structure other parts of your life, do so with your social life. Keep
up with your social calendar. This will help you keep in touch with
friends and the kind of social support that you need.

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

CHADD PRAISES GAO REPORT AFFIRMING FEW INCIDENTS OF ATTENTION
DISORDER MEDICATION ABUSE

GAO Survey Undermines Concerns by Alarmists, Fringe Groups

LANDOVER, MD - Despite apprehension by some critics that the
increased use of stimulant medications in schools might translate
into abuse of such medications, the General Accounting Office (GAO),
an investigative arm of the U.S. Congress, made clear in an in-depth
survey released this week that the number of such incidents is
exceedingly small.

Titled Attention Disorder Drugs: Few Incidents of Diversion or Abuse
Identified By Schools, the comprehensive report affirms the safety of
stimulant medications for the treatment of
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) when properly used.
Moreover, it affirms that 90 percent of schools are receiving the
guidance they need regarding the administration of such medications.

This report is significant for several key reasons, said CHADD Chief
Executive Officer E. Clarke Ross. First, it reassures parents and
caregivers that stimulant medications are completely safe when
appropriately administered. Second, it demonstrates that virtually
all schools (90 percent) are appropriately handling medication issues
while simultaneously highlighting areas where improvements could be
made. Third, it undermines the alarmist scare tactics used by fringe
groups who consistently ignore the science-based, evidence based
practices used to treat AD/HD.

The objective of the GAO report was to provide analysis on (1) the
diversion and abuse of attention deficit disorder medications in
schools; (2) the school environment in which medications are
administered to students; and (3) the state laws or regulations
addressing the administration of prescription drugs in schools. To
address the first two objectives, 735 school principals from a
representative national sample of public middle schools and high
schools throughout the country were surveyed.

Key Findings

Middle and high school principals reported little diversion or abuse
of attention disorder medications. Only 8 percent of principals in
middle and high schools reported knowing of attention disorder
medications being diverted or abused at their school. Most reported
knowing of only one incident.

Approximately 89 percent of the principals reported that the
diversion or abuse of attention disorder medications was much less of
a problem in their school than the use of other illicit drugs.

Approximately 2 percent of students on average are administered
attention disorder medications on a typical day.

Medications are kept locked in almost all (96 percent) of the
schools. Students are observed while taking their medications.

Almost 90 percent of principals report their school receives state
and/or local guidance regarding the administrations or medications.

This report reinforces the philosophy CHADD has always espoused, said
National Board President Evelyn Green. Medications should be taken
exactly as prescribed and always under the close supervision of the
treating professionals and parents.


Areas Where CHADD Recommends Improvement

* Currently school nurses administer medications in about 60 percent
of surveyed schools and by non-health professionals, such as
secretaries, in most remaining schools. Ideally this figure would be
100 percent.
* Currently 28 states and the District of Columbia require that
schools obtain authorization from the student's parent or guardian
before administering medication. Ideally all 50 states would be held
to the same standard.
* Currently 22 states and the District of Columbia require schools to
obtain prescription medication in an original container with proper
pharmaceutical labeling. Ideally all 50 states would be held to the
same standard.
* Currently 19 states and the District of Columbia require that
schools obtain orders or instruction from the student's physician or
other licensed medication prescriber before administering medication.
Ideally all 50 states would be held to the same standard.
* Currently 16 states require schools to document the administration
of medication to the student in a medication log or other like-named
record. Ideally all 50 states would be held to the same standard.

CHADD recognizes that such issues are for state and school district
determination and does not endorse nor suggest new federal
legislation.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is a neurobiological
disability that affects three-to-five percent of school-age children
and approximately two-to-four percent of adults. AD/HD is
characterized by developmentally inappropriate impulsivity,
attention, and in some cases, hyperactivity. CHADD advocates a
multimodal approach to the treatment of AD/HD including parent
training in diagnosis, treatment and specific behavior management
techniques, an appropriate educational program, individual and family
counseling when needed, and medication when required.

Founded in 1987, CHADD works to improve the lives of people affected
by AD/HD through collaborative leadership, advocacy, research,
education and support: CHADD CARES. For additional information about
AD/HD or CHADD, contact the toll-free number at 1-800-233-4050, or
visit the CHADD website at www.chadd.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 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 CHADD_Dimples@....
Simply replying to this e-mail will also send your message to the
right place.

======== Calendar of Events ==========

10/2/2001, Tues. 6:45 p.m. - Sacramento
The Difference Between AD/DH and Bi-Polar Disorder - by Angela
Paccini, MFT from Roseville,
Sutter Center for Psychiatry, Sacramento - Contact: Greater
Sacramento CHADD: 916-863-1390
============================
10/3/2001, Wed. 7-9 pm - Contra Costa
Walnut Creek Adult Topical Meeting - Developing Good Social Skills,
Ongoing, confidential support groups for Adults with ADHD
Kaiser Mental Health, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
10/3/2001, Wed. 7:30pm - San Francisco
Women's ADD Support Group, Please Call Lynn to confirm times and
locations before attending.
CPMC Davies Campus, San Francisco - Contact: Lynn: 415-621-1078
============================
10/6/2001, Sat. 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m - San Francisco
Dr. Susan Brady - "Not Balanced Instruction, Informed Instruction",
Sponsored by the International Dyslexia Association
UCSF Conference Center, Laurel Heights, San Francisco - Contact:
International Dyslexia Association: 650-328-7667 or visit
www.interdys.org
============================
10/9/2001, Tues. 7-9pm - Marin
Ask the Doctor: Dr. Isaac Silberman, Neurologist & Psychiatrist,
Author of "Is It ADD?: A Guide for Parents", and in practice more
than 40 years seeing children, teens and adults, Dr. Silberman does
extensive diagnostic workups for underlying medical,neurological,
hormonal, immune & other problems. His focus is on the integration of
educational, medical and psychosocial programs.
Town Center Corte Madera Community Room, Corte Madera - Contact:
Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
10/10/2001, Wed. Reg: 7pm, Meet 7:30pm - Santa Clara
Palo Alto Educational Meeting - Medications for ADHD, Dr. Robert
Verhoogan, Pediatrician
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Santa Clara Warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
10/10/2001, Wed. 7 - 9 pm - Sonoma
The Floor Plan of the ADD Dream House: Evaluating Signs of Success
and Signs of Trouble., Pam LeBlanc, MA, Parent Educator
Kaiser Hospital Building, Santa Rosa - Contact: Thora Lares: 707-765-4863
============================
10/10/2001, Wed. 7 - 9 pm - Alameda
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting,
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
10/13/2001, Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Santa Clara
Choices, Changes & Challenges: Improving Work, Home and School
Interpersonal Relationships, The Kitty Petty ADD/LD Institute Sixth
Annual Symposium
Foothill Christian Center, Los Altos - Contact: Kitty Petty ADD/LD
Institute: 650-329-9443, www.kpinst.org
============================
10/16/2001, 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
============================
10/17/2001, Wed. Reg: 7pm, Meet 7:30pm - Santa Clara
Palo Alto Adult, Parent and Spouse Support Groups, Separate
peer-facilitated groups let you share struggles and strategies with
each other. Includes video.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Santa Clara Warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
10/18/2001, through 10/20/01 - ****
Communicating the Science of AD/HD: From Fiction to Fact, CHADD
Thirteenth Annual Conference on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder
Anaheim Marriot, Anaheim, CA - Contact: See Website:
www.chadd.org/conference.htm
============================
10/24/2001, 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
============================
10/24/2001, Wed. 7:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. - Santa Clara
Kitty Petty ADD/LD Institute Meeting, Discussion of and sharing
successful ADHD/LD strategies and coping skills with other like
ADDults
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Kitty Petty ADD/LD
Institute: 650-329-9443
============================
10/25/2001, Thu. 6-8:00 PM PST - Online
Sari Solden - Women with ADHD,
CHADD Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Message Line: 510-291-2950