Center of Attention
Newsletter of CHADD of Northern California
Also at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
14 April 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: So You Want to Be in Research?
Announcement: Center of Attention Seeking New Editor!
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 ==========

Marin - 4/16/2002, Tues. 7-9pm
Drop in Support Group -- for Adults with ADHD and Significant Others
Marin Community Mental Health, Greenbrae - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
Santa Clara - 4/16/2002, Tues. 7 pm
Shirely Kurnoff - The Human Side of Dyslexia: 142 Interviews with
Real People Telling Real Stories. -- Kurnoff's book "The Human Side
of Dyslexia" takes an inside look into dyslexia - the challenges,
emotions and rewards from childhood through the college-experience.
Kurnoff conducted over 200 interviews with parents, siblings and
college students who share their experiences and coping strategies.
Sponsored by the Stanford Bookstore.
Stanford Bookstore Art Alcove, - Contact: Kara Holland: (650)
725-6136 ext. 359.
============================
Contra Costa - 4/17/2002, Wed. 7-9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult Topical Meeting - Boundaries: defining and setting them. --
Kaiser Mental Health, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
Santa Clara - 4/17/2002, Wed. Reg: 7pm, Meet 7:30pm
Silicon Valley 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: Silicon Valley Warmline:
650-949-5472
============================
Yolo - 4/18/2002, Thu. Lending Library 7:15 pm; 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
County Meeting -- Support Group Discussion or Speakers
Davis Branch, Yolo County Library, Davis - Contact: Yolo County
CHADD: 530-750-3929
============================
Online - 4/24/2002, Wed. 6-8:00 PM PST
Dr. Andrew Adesman - Working with Your Pediatrician --
CHADD Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Message Line: 510-291-2950
============================
Marin - 4/24/2002, 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 - 4/24/2002, Wed. 7:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
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
============================
San Francisco - 4/25/2002, Thu. 7-9pm
"Where Organization and Decision Collide: Dealing with Your
Procrastination" - Deborah Lancaster -- A favorite speaker on a
critical topic. (Note room change to "Level A dining room" this night
only.)
CPMC Pacific Campus, San Francisco - Contact: San Francisco Warmline:
415-442-1944
============================
Yolo - 4/25/2002, Thu. 7:00-9:30PM
IEP and 504 Plan Workshop -- The Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
and 504 Plan are used to assist students with disabilities at public
schools. The workshop speakers are attorneys from Protection and
Advocacy, Inc, a group supporting legal rights for persons with
disabilities. $4 voluntary donation to CHADD of Yolo County.
Club Room of the Veterans Memorial Center - 203 East 14th St, Davis -
Contact: Yolo County CHADD: 750-3929 or online at
http://www.chaddonline.org/chapters/chadd295.html
============================
Sonoma - 5/1/2002, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Sharing and Support. -- Bring your concerns, questions and
experiences. Everyone is welcome, including parents, spouses and
significant others -- diagnosed and undiagnosed.
Kaiser Hospital Building, Santa Rosa - Contact: Thora Lares: 707-765-4863
============================
San Francisco - 5/1/2002, 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
============================
**** - 5/2/2002, to 5/5/2002
Journeys 2002 - ADDA's 8th Annual ADHD Conference -- As in the past 8
years, ADDA has presented the most comprehensive conference on adult
AD/HD in the world. People from all walks of life gather once a year
for this transformational 4 day event. Join us this year in Chicago.
May 2 for the Professional's Pre-Conference. May 3-5 for the
Conference.
No Directions Available, Chicago - Contact: National Attention
Deficit Disorder Association: See [a http://www.ADDAconference.com/
============================
Alameda - 5/8/2002, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
San Mateo - 5/11/2002, Sat. 9 am - noon
"Batteries NOT Included: Motivating the Reluctant Learner" - Richard
Lavoie, MS, MEd
-- Inconsistency is one of the chief symptoms of learning
disabilities and is unrelated to motivation and effort. If the cycle
of chronic failure is not broken, serious motivational and
psychological problems may develop. This workshop will discuss
motivation and learning: common misconceptions related to motivation,
the concept of learned helplessness, identifying and confronting the
"cycle of depression", and specific strategies designed to foster
motivation (Also relevant for adult learners with learning or
attention problems.) Fee: $20 (fee waivers are available upon
registration). Seating is limited.
South San Francisco Conference Center, South San Francisco - Contact:
Schwab Learning: Call 800-230-0988 or visit
http://www.schwablearning.org for Registration
============================
Marin - 5/13/2002, Mon. 9 am to 1 pm
Due Process and Special Education in Marin - "Lessons Learned" --
Marin SELPA and Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center are
sponsoring four attorneys to discuss strategies for avoiding and
resolving due process filings. Free and open to the public.
Marin Civic Center, San Rafael - Contact: : 415-491-6621
============================
Marin - 5/13/2002, Mon. 7-9pm
Current Strategies for Treatment Resistant Depression - Dr. Brent
Solvason, PhD, MD. Assistant Professor, Depression Research Clinic,
Stanford University Medical School. -- Conjoint meeting with CHADD
of Marin, NAMI of Marin and Behavioral Health Dept, Marin General
Hospital. Open to the general public. Free.
Marin General Hospital, Greenbrae - Contact: NAMI Marin: 415-456-9419
============================
Marin - 5/14/2002, Tues. 7-9pm
Ask the Doctor: Michael Freeman, MD -- Dr. Freeman is a psychiatrist
and researcher of national prominence with a special interest in
ADHD, mood and anxiety disorders. He has a private practice in
Kentfeild.
Town Center Corte Madera Community Room, Corte Madera - Contact:
Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
Online - 5/15/2002, Wed. 6-8:00 PM PST
Ned Hallowell, MD - A Walk in the Rain with a Brain: Explaining ADHD
to Children --
CHADD Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Message Line: 510-291-2950
============================
Santa Clara - 5/15/2002, Wed. Reg: 7pm, Meet 7:30pm
Harry D. Verby, MD -- Help for Those with Complex ADD Problems
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Silicon Valley Warmline:
650-949-5472
============================
Yolo - 5/16/2002, Thu. Lending Library 7:15 pm; 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
County Meeting -- Support Group Discussion or Speakers
Davis Branch, Yolo County Library, Davis - Contact: Yolo County
CHADD: 530-750-3929
============================

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

So You Want to Be in Research?

by Lew Mills, PhD, MFT

We all know that we don't know enough about ADHD. But how do you
suppose we find out more? As much as I enjoy the
schmooze-around-the-support-group method of discovering more about
ADHD, in never substitutes for what we can learn from rigorous
research. One of CHADD's principle commitments is to evidence-based
science about what ADHD is and how to treat it most effectively.

Did you know that you can help out at this research level? Many ADHD
investigators are looking for "subjects" for their studies. It is not
so "guinea pig"-like as you might think. Sometimes there is a reward!
Other times there is some information that you will learn about
yourself or your family member from participating. Always there is
the satisfaction of helping move science forward in this important
area.

CHADD frequently gets asked to help recruit volunteers, and since we
support this activity, we are happy to do so. On our web site there
is a page dedicated to informing you about currently open research in
which you can participate in Northern California. This is at
www.chaddnorcal.org/research. There is also a link there to a similar
page on the National website which has more research studies from
other areas or that you can participate in by long distance.

Here are the current requests for participants in ADHD research to
give you a flavor of what is available.

==============

The University of California, San Francisco is looking for volunteers
(13 to 18 years) to participate in a research study for a once-a-day,
extended release ADHD medication.

Qualified volunteers MAY receive at NO cost: Complete Physical Exam;
Study related medical care; and/or compensation for their time

Participation is completely voluntary

If you are interested in this study, or would like more information,
please call 4154-476-7365, the Hyperactivity, Attention and Learning
Problems Clinic (HALP Clinic) at The Children's Center at Langley
Porter.

Updated 4/8/02
==============

The Stanford Psychiatry Neuroimaging Lab is seeking adolescent males
diagnosed with ADHD between the ages of 14 -18 to participate in
research projects on brain function.

The goal of the project is to increase knowledge of the brain
structure and function in typically developing individuals and
persons with psychiatric/genetic disorders. Participation involves
neuropsychological testing and a Magnetic Resonance imaging, (MRI)
scan. Testing includes an abbreviated IQ test and achievement test.
During the MRI scan participants will respond to computer based tasks
while pictures of their brain are taken. An MRI scan is a non
invasive procedure that does not use x-rays or radiation. Volunteers
will be paid $100 for 4-6 hours of participation and will receive
pictures of their brain to take home.

If you are interested or have questions, please call Leanne Tamm at
(650) 724-7388 or email: leannet@...

Updated 4/8/02
==============

A UCLA team is always seeking more families in which there are 2 or
more AD/HD children to participate in their research. Ages 5-18 are
preferred, but adult siblings are also invited.

Please call 310 825 8660 or visit their website at www.adhd.ucla.edu
for more information.

Updated 4/14/02
==============

Stanford University Medical Center is presently offering a ADHD Brain
Imaging Study for children with ADHD between the ages of 9-18.
Participants will receive free diagnostic evaluation, brain imaging,
a intelligence test and $100.00 for their participation. The contact
is Kimberly Dienes 650-723-7885 or kdienes@....

Updated 4/8/02
==============

Learn more about your child's condition while improving future
treatment. This research involves examining non-medication ways of
controlling symptoms commonly associated with ADHD. Involving your
child in this ground-breaking study will provide you with valuable
insight into their potentially challenging condition.

IMMEDIATE BENEFITS

You will be provided with information regarding your child's personal
learning style that may be used to assist them in maximizing their
academic performance. Also, your child will receive $10 for their
time and effort.

FUTURE TREATMENT

By involving your child in this simple but important study, you will
contribute to the ever growing knowledge of ADHD available to
healthcare professionals. This study is one of a very few
investigating the use of non-medication based stimulation to
alleviate or reduce the symptoms of ADHD. If this type of research
continues, it may usher in new era of ADHD treatment, making
available a wider range of treatment options.

WHO QUALIFIES?

Teenage boys, between the ages of 14 and 18 who have been diagnosed
with any subtype of ADHD , and who read at a designated level (as
determined by a short test), are eligible for this study. They will
have to participate in three 40 minute sessions. Transportation will
be needed to and from the local testing site. Absolutely NO
medications or medical procedures are involved in this study.

Contact: Troy P. Todd, M.A.
California School of Professional Psychology
5130 E. Clinton Way
Fresno, CA 93727
(559) 325-0401
kaylee@...

Updated 4/8/02
==============

Request for data relevant to ADD/HD and the Aging Process.

All persons and groups who might know of useful resources on ADD/HD
and Aging, please help in the creation of a Resource Paper listing
sources of information on the subject of ADD/HD and Aging to be made
available to interested parties in hopes of stimulating interest and
research on the subject. See the CHADD of Northern California website
for details.

Updated 12/19/01
==============

Send suggestions of links about research requests to webmaster@...

If you contact one of these studies and they are no longer accepting
subjects, please let us know so that we can remove the listing. Thank
you.

=========== Announcement ===========

Center of Attention Seeking New Editor

The position of editor is still open. The job involves collecting
interesting and relevant articles, news, book reviews or whatever, or
cajoling and coordinating the writing of such by CHADD friends and
members. There is no "layout" or "production" involved. It is just a
job for a good and curious researcher to go out and find the stuff
that is most interesting to our members. Deadlines are only every
other week and material can be submitted early if desired! You get to
be published under the charming pseudonym of "CHADD Dimples"! Group
efforts with several editors would also be very welcome.

If you are interested, please write to CHADD_Dimples@...
or just respond to this newsletter.

===== 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.