Center of Attention
Newsletter of CHADD of Northern California
Also at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
3 March 2002

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

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

About the Newsletter
Calendar of Events
Feature Article: ADHD AND SLEEP PROBLEMS
This Week: IRS RULES ABOUT SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR ADHD KIDS
Please Tell Us

===== 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.

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

============================
Contra Costa - 3/6/2002, Wed. 7-9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult Topical Meeting - A Brief Look at AD/HD and EQ
(Emotional Intelligence) -- Ongoing, confidential support groups for
Adults with ADHD
Kaiser Mental Health, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
Santa Clara - 3/6/2002, Wed. Reg: 7pm, Meet 7:30pm
Matt Stubblefield, MD, of the Amen Clinic -- Seniors with ADD
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Silicon Valley Warmline:
650-949-5472
============================
Sonoma - 3/6/2002, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Sharing and Support Meeting. -- Everyone is welcome, including
spouses, parents, and significant others, to share concerns,
questions and experiences.
Kaiser Hospital Building, Santa Rosa - Contact: Thora Lares: 707-765-4863
============================
San Francisco - 3/6/2002, Wed. 7:30pm
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
============================
Marin - 3/12/2002, Tues. 7-9pm
Procrastination - Deborah Lancaster -- Return engagement with our
favorite speaker of all time! Come learn practical, useful solutions
and techniques to use in overcoming our natural tendencies toward
procrastination and disorganization.
Town Center Corte Madera Community Room, Corte Madera - Contact:
Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
Alameda - 3/13/2002, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
San Mateo - 3/16/2002, Sat. 9:00a.m.-12:30p.m
Dr. Martha Denckla, MD - "Reading and ADHD: The Reciprocal
Inter-Active Effects Uncovered" -- Dr. Denckla has received national
recognition and numerous awards for her outstanding work in the field
of learning disabilities and neurology. Sponsored by the
International Dyslexia Association. See www.interdys.org for more
information
South San Francisco Conference Center, South San Francisco - Contact:
International Dyslexia Association: 650-328-7667 or visit
www.interdys.org to Pre-register by 3/12/02. $25.
============================
Marin - 3/19/2002, Tues. 7-9pm
Drop in Support Group -- for Adults with ADHD and Significant Others
Marin Community Mental Health, Greenbrae - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
Online - 3/19/2002, Tues. 6-8:00 PM PST
Peggy Ramundo and Kate Kelly - Succeeding in the Workplace: Smoothing
the Rough Edges of On-The-Job Relationships --
CHADD Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Message Line: 510-291-2950
============================
Contra Costa - 3/20/2002, Wed. 7-9 pm
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
============================
Marin - 3/27/2002, Wed. 9:30-11:30am
Support Group for Parents of Children / Teens with ADHD -- Share your
concerns with a parent who really understands.
30 Catalpa Ave., Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria Vogel: 415-383-6048
============================
Santa Clara - 3/27/2002, Wed. 7:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Kitty Petty ADD/LD Institute Meeting -- Build a Career to Fit Who You
Are - Carol McClelland, PhD
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Kitty Petty ADD/LD
Institute: 650-329-9443
============================
San Francisco - 3/28/2002, Thu. 7-9pm
Educational Speaker TBA --
CPMC Pacific Campus, San Francisco - Contact: San Francisco Warmline:
415-442-1944
============================
Contra Costa - 4/3/2002, Wed. 7-9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult Topical Meeting -- Ongoing, confidential support
groups for Adults with ADHD
Kaiser Mental Health, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
San Francisco - 4/3/2002, Wed. 7:30pm
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
============================

===== 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."

==========================================
ADHD AND SLEEP PROBLEMS
==========================================

We get frequent questions, both in our private practices and in our
ADDvisor teleconference classes about the sleep problems of children
and adults with ADHD. This article will look at this issue in
children and adults with ADHD and discuss some possible solutions. If
you, our readers, have practical solutions that you would like to
contribute please send them to us and we will print them for all to
read. Our 1100 plus subscribers can be a powerful resource for
practical advice; so don't be shy about adding in your solutions!

Sleep problems for people with ADHD seems to have two common origins.
First, difficulty falling asleep is a common side effect of the
stimulant medications. Second, research shows that individuals with
ADHD seem to have more trouble falling asleep even if they don't take
medication. A third issue to keep in mind is the possibility that the
sleep difficulty is a result of a co-existing disorder such as
depression or anxiety (worrying). It is important to narrow down the
possible origins of the sleep problem in order to know how to improve
it.

Once you have a good guess as to the origin of the problem, start
experimenting with possible solutions.

If you think the problem is related to the use of stimulant
medication try taking the medication earlier in the day. If a second
dose is being used give the second dose earlier or reduce the dose
size. Since different medications have different side effects, trying
a different medication may be helpful. Some individuals find it
beneficial to add a medication, either over-the-counter or
prescription, that promotes sleep. Of course, your prescribing
physician should approve any medication changes before you start them.

If you think that the origin of the sleep problem is the ADHD itself
there are a number of tips that can be utilized to promote sleep.
Having passive stimulation at bedtime can be helpful. Common examples
include playing an audiotape of relaxing music or even a book tape
softly. Try visual aids such as a fish tank, a spinning nightlight, a
lava lamp or a ceiling star display. A cooler than normal room and
heavy covers helps some individuals relax and lay still. Making sure
they get enough exercise during the day can also be important.

In general, a consistent bedtime routine, a back rub or hot bath
before bed to relax the muscles, the avoidance of afternoon naps, and
not using caffeine can all help improve the chances of falling asleep
at bedtime. A word of caution for parents with young children who
would prefer to fall asleep in the parents bed, don't let them do it.
In the long run it will create more problems than it will solve.

If it appears that the sleep difficulties have their origins with
other impairments, such as depression or anxiety, it is important to
seek treatment for this. However, many of the solutions mentioned
above, can still be utilized.

Sleep problems do not often go away quickly, so be persistent in the
implementation of changes that you make. Try the possible solutions
for 1-2 weeks before moving on to something else.

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

IRS RULES ABOUT SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR ADHD KIDS

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."

This article has been taken from a 1999 archived issue. Please
consult your tax advisor for current IRS Rules. The editors chose to
publish this in order to highlight the issue.

This information was provided by an accountant friend. The question
posed to the IRS was whether the expenses for a child with a
neurologically based learning disability, such as ADHD, to attend
private school are deductible as expenses for medical care under
I.R.C. 213(a).

The case in which this issue arose was regarding a child diagnosed
with ADHD who was attending a private school that had a special
program that provided "support and monitoring for students with ADHD.
Only students with a written ADHD diagnosis are eligible for this
program. The cost of the program is separate from the school's basic
tuition."

In considering this case, it was stated that "the general program at
the school is educational and not medical in nature." The IRS states
that a school provides ordinary education and is not medical care.
They do note, however, that "the cost of medical care includes the
cost of attending a special school for a mental or physically
handicapped individual, if his condition is such that the resources
of the institution for alleviating such mental or physical handicap
are a principal reason for his presence there. If this provision
applies, the cost of attending such a special school includes the
cost of meals and lodging, and the cost of ordinary education
furnished that is incidental to the special services furnished by the
school. Thus, the cost of medical care includes the cost of attending
a special school designed to compensate for or overcome a physical
handicap in order to qualify the individual for future normal
education or for normal living."

If the availability of medical care is not the primary reason for an
individual to be in a special school, then only the cost of the
actual medical care provided can be deducted. This article reiterated
that basic tuition is not deductible as a medical expense but the
costs of a special program are deductible.

If your child is in a special school for ADHD kids, consult your tax
advisor regarding this issue.

===== 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.