ADHD / ADD Support Group
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) are more common than you might think. It is a syndrome that exhibits symptoms such as hyperactivity, forgetfulness, mood shifts, poor impulse control, and distractibility. Join others who suffer from these conditions and share your experiences.
Did anyone else go to the big conference last week? We did and LOVED it! I can't recommend it highly enough to anyone dealing with ADHD. It was fantastic to be around so many others either dealing with ADHD on a daily basis or being involved in research or helping those who do have it. It was very inspiring and informative.
We came home with so many new ideas that will change the way we're parenting our son.
We came home with so many new ideas that will change the way we're parenting our son.
Relationships?
Jobs?
Social interaction?
Organization skills?
These are the things I'm trying to take control before, like my uncle, takes control of him and gives up.
Thanks for mentioning this! I'm going to look more into these conferences.
For others: http://www.chadd.org/
New medication coming out in January. Quillivant XR. Its a liquid form of Ritalin, banana flavored. Use a syringe and squirt in the childs mouth.
A super product: A clock that shows visually how much time is left. This clock sold out at the event. www.timetimer.com Can use for homework, getting kids to get ready in the morning. Gives kids a real sense of how much time is left.
Great sessions:
Go to CHADD.org and click on the national conference info. I would do this quickly before the information is removed. Go to the handouts link and look for the handouts for these sessions, depending on what interests you. We attended others, but these are the ones with real-life strategies:
Homework: How to Help Kids Focus and Finish
The Use and Impact of Video Games and Digital Media
Critical Life Skills: Practical Techniques and Strategies
All three speakers were especially great. The third session I mention was universally helpful tips for managing ADHD kids every day. The big take out from this session is to be careful not to focus so much on correcting the bad behaviors that it gets more attention than pointing out your ADHD childs strengths. Should be pointing out what theyre doing well far more than what theyre not. Instead of criticizing, try redirection.
He urged parents to really consider their reactions to situations. For example, when he was a child, he was doing a presentation about a gangster for school and wanted to dress like the guy. He went into his dads closet and found the perfect suit, but it was too long. So, he took scissors and cut the pants! When his dad was coming home, his brother couldnt wait to see him get in trouble. Instead, his dad said, Youre so creative. No one problem-solves like you! He asked his dad years later why he said that instead of getting angry and his dad said, I figured in five years, I wouldnt care about that suit. But in five years, I would be glad my son knew what was great about him. The audience was near tears.
Went to a research symposium on young kids (preschool through elementary) to hear the latest findings. They found medication combined with therapy has by far the best results in helping kids with ADHD, followed by medication alone. Lowest results in helping was therapy alone.
Cant recommend CHADDs national conference highly enough. We learned so much and left there committed to an entirely new parenting strategy with our son. It was great being around so many people who live ADHD, too, or are helping those who do have it. Next years conference is in Washington, D.C. from November 7-9.