A Big Thank You to ADDitude Magazine

I subscribe to ADDitude Magazine and have for several years. Today my Winter 2008 issue arrived in the mail. I'm always happy to receive the latest issue because by the time it arrives, I have read the previous issue cover to cover. The first thing I do when my new copy arrives is check out the blurbs on the cover to see what articles are being featured. Today I was excited when I read "Bookmark 'em: 8 Must Read ADD Blogs." Blogs? That's right up my alley! I immediately searched for that article first.

I quickly found it and was absolutely shocked when I saw this very blog as one of the eight! It was right there on page 50 in black and white... ADHD & LD Resource Blog. What an honor. I had no idea my labor of love {this blog} was going to be featured in this month's article entitled "Blog Therapy." Needless to say, I was thrilled.

So, a huge Thank You to author Kay Marner and the folks at ADDitude Magazine! And, as soon as this month's magazine is available online, I will be more than happy to share the link.  But, for now, you can enjoy the Fall 2008 edition or any edition before that.

Here are the other seven blogs that were included in the article:

• Out of Focus
• Dyskinesia
• The Splintered Mind
• So I Married an ADDer
• Life with Fast Boy
• ADD Moms
• ADDer World

Want to have a Celebrity Read to Your LD Child?

The Screen Actor's Guild Association has made it possible to have a celebrity read to your child.  The Association has created the Storyline Online website as an "online streaming video program featuring SAG members reading children's books aloud."  They also provide activities and lesson ideas for each book that is available on the site. 

Some of the books you'll find on the site are:

• Stellaluna read by Pamela Reed
• A Bad Case of Stripes read by Sean Austin
• The Polar Express read by Lou Diamond Phillips
• Me and My Cat read by Elijah Wood

Each book is brought to life with unique reading styles and captivating pictures.  Your child will have the option of reading the book's text at the bottom of the video page or just listening sa the celebrity reads.  Your child may also want to follow along in his own book as it is being read.  I think you'll find that this  is  a wonderful way to encourage and improve your child's reading. 

Bridging the Gap Family Forum

If you are in the Roanoke, VA area, you'll want to attend the Bridging the Gap Family Forum that is coming up. It is being sponsored by Family Service of Roanoke Valley.

Who should attend: Families and caregivers raising challenging children, including those with special needs, educators, and community members who support vulnerable children.

When: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Where: Roanoke Plaza Hotel, 2801 Hershberger Road (formerly the Wyndham)

Fee: Free

You can pre-register online at http://www.fsrv.org/. For more information please visit the Family Service of Roanoke Valley's website. See you there!

ADHD Children Increase Divorce Rate?

According to psychologists William Pelham Jr. and Brian Wymbs of the State University of New York-Buffalo,

23% of parents had divorced by their child's eighth birthday if the child had been diagnosed with ADHD.

Pelham goes on to say: "ADHD creates the greatest difficulty for parents in early childhood. If your marriage survives that, the rate of divorce doesn't continue to be higher after they're 8."
I certainly understand and agree that "ADHD creates the greatest difficulty for parents in early childhood." That really only makes sense. Childhood is when an overwhelming number of children are first diagnosed with ADHD. The diagnosis alone generates a great deal of stress. However, no marriage is without stress.

When my son was first diagnosed with ADHD he was six years old. His father and I had been married for twelve years. His diagnosis, like most medical problems, caused stress. We knew nothing about ADHD. It was frustrating knowing that our son was "sick" and we didn't know how to help him. But, at no time were we ever on the verge of divorce.

My husband and I set out to educate ourselves about our son's diagnosis. We researched and learned as much as we possibly could about the diagnosis, how best to help him and if anything...grew stronger as a couple. We are the two people that can understand each others ADHD related frustrations the best. He and I are each others support system. We work as a team.

Now, after seventeen years of marriage, our bond is more powerful than ever. We have endured the trials that ADHD can exact on a marriage and are stronger for it. After all, what doesn't kill only makes you stronger!

You can read more about Pelham and Wymbs' study in October's Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

Teacher Absences vs. Student Achievement

My son's teacher has been absent ten days during the last month. This means that for the past 30 days, 1/3 of his school instruction has been administered by substitute teachers {at least 4 different ones that I am aware of}.

Substitutes are just that, substitutes. Generally they are not familiar with the day-to-day routine of the classroom, are not familiar with the students and definitely cannot call on them by name.

This has created quite a problem for my ADHD/LD son. Like most ADHD/LD children, he thrives on routine. He comes home all out of sorts because his day has been "terrible," a.k.a. chaotic and unorganized. I listen intently and try to empathize with him. However, this is of little comfort to him.

I am certain his regular teacher leaves lesson plans for the substitute, but that still isn't the same. Every teacher has their own unique style of teaching and interacts with students differently. In addition, the sub is not familiar with the material the students have been studying. Therefore, it is inevitable that student's grades will suffer.

10 days of teacher absence is equivalent to a student drawing a rookie teacher rather than a second-year teacher. ---CEA

My question is... Why are student absences more closely watched than teacher's? I think it is just as important for teachers to show up regularly as it is for students. Do you agree? Should there be consequences for excessive teacher absences?

Utilizing Online Resources to Help with Homework

I recently wrote a two part story entitled Homework & Your ADHD/LD Child on Trusera. Since homework seems to be a major issue with so many ADHD & LD children, I have a few more tips to pass along.

My son all too often would forget his reading book at school. Some years I purchase an extra set of textbooks to keep at home in case this happens. However, that can be quite expensive. Another solution I found for this problem was utilizing my local library. Every single story that was in his school issued textbook was taken from an actual children's book. So... I would identify which stories his class would be reading in the next two or three weeks. Then, I would go to the library and the check out the actual books. This way, if he forgot his textbook, no problem!

Also, his school uses the Harcourt Trophies series of reading textbooks. This site offers a wonderful resource for student's to use at home. You can choose your child's grade level from kindergarten to sixth grade. {This is great because my two sons are in the second and fifth grade.} After choosing the appropriate grade level, you will find a multitude of learning options.

My sons find this site fun and entertaining. It much for fun that sitting down to do homework with pencil and paper. Don't get me wrong, they still complete their assignments. We use the online resources if they are having problems with a particular subject and it works wonders.

In the past, we have also utilized the Houghton Mifflin Education Place website as well. This site offers "textbook support materials" for every subject: reading, math, science, history and spelling. You will find an enormous amount of material to supplement what your child is learning at school. And again, my boys actually enjoy learning this way.

So, have your child bring home his textbooks. Take a quick look and see what company his school is using. Most textbooks will list their textbook support website at the bottom of the pages. If not, just do a search on the web. I bet you'll find a related website.

Celebrating ADHD

I recently came across this picture on flickr. Isn't it touching? I think it is a wonderful sentiment and shows a mother's true love. The writing on page says:

My son... you have ADHD. So does your mommy and that seems to makes things twice as difficult. We're both struggling to "do better", which for us seems sometimes impossible. I try to keep as organized as I can and try to stay calm when your behavior gets to me. I'm so sorry that it doesn't always work out that way and it's so unfair to you sometimes when mommy doesn't have the patience to handle what comes along. But, do know that I love and support you more than anything. When you need help, I will always be there and I know exactly how you feel baby, since mommy has had it all her life. You are a very smart, sensitive, creative and loving little boy and I am so proud of you. Love, Mom

Instead of hiding her and her son's ADHD this mom has embraced it. She has created a beautiful and thoughtful keepsake for her son. Within the circles she has points out one positive trait for each negative: forgetful...sensitive, chaotic... creative, impulsive...loving. Isn't that amazing?

I think we could all learn something from the ADHD mom. ADHD is not one of those things that will go away if it is ignored. It will be forever present in our lives. So, why not creatively embrace it?

ADHD Resources in Canada

I recently received a question from a reader about ADHD support options in Canada. I must admit I was clueless. However, I did what I also do when faced with the unknown, I started researching. I figured {and hoped} that she was not my only Canadian reader. If that is the case, there must be more of you with the same question. Below is what I found:

• Centre for ADD/ADHD Advocacy, Canada
• ADHD Foundation of Canada
• Attention Deficit Resource Network
• Canadian ADHD Support Groups

These sites offer information, professionals, support groups and other resources specific to Canadians. I have also added these sites to the right hand column under the heading "Resources Outside of the U.S." for future reference. I hope these sites help you locate exactly what you are looking for!

Homework & Your ADHD/LD Child

I have just completed a two-part story about homework and your ADHD/LD child on the health site Trusera.  Part one details general views about the demands of homework currently placed on students.  I also offer my own opinions on the subject.  In part two, I share homework tips that I have successfully used with my ADHD/LD son for over five years.  I invite you to stop by and take a look.  Feel free to let me know what you think.

Six Proven Classroom Accommodations for ADHD and LD Students

According to an article on AdditudeMag.com, the following six accommodations are most effective for ADHD and/or LD children:

1. Seating the student near the teacher and away from doors and windows.
2. Allowing a student to tape-record assignments.
3. Providing the child with a note-taking partner.
4. Giving a lighter homework load.
5. Granting extra time for test-taking.
6. Letting the student run occasional errands for the teacher.

My eleven year old ADHD/LD son is currently using four of these accommodations.  He is seated close to the "core of instruction."  This has been an effective way to help keep him focused.  His teachers also give him a lighter homework load.  Instead of twenty spelling words each week, he has ten.  Instead of thirty math problems, he is only required to complete the even numbered ones.  This reduced homework has really helped ease his homework stress. 

He is also given extra time to take all of his tests.  He is usually taken to a separate room {along with a few of his classmates who also have ADHD/LD} to complete his tests.  This allows him to concentrate better as it is quieter.  The teacher or aide also reads each test aloud to him as reading is one of his learning disabilities.

Finally, the teachers are all kind enough to let my son run quick errands for them... taking the lunch count to the cafeteria, picking up copied material in the copy room, etc.  This allows him to use up some of his built up energy and also helps to increase his self-esteem as well.  He is most pleased that the teachers trust him enough to carry out their requests.

We have not tried using the other two accommodations, tape recording and a note-taking partner.  For now, each child in his class has an assignment notebook that they write their daily assignments in.  The teacher writes the assignments on the board and the students copy them into their notebook.  This has worked great at helping him get a Little more organized.  A note-taking partner isn't necessary at this stage either.  Since he is only in the fifth grade, there really is no note-taking yet.  This may be an option we use in the near future though.

Virginia Tech Player Succeeds in Spite of His Learning Disability

photo from cache.daylife.com

Since I live right in the midst of Hokie Country, I thought it only fitting to share this story...

Stephan Virgil, starting cornerback for Virginia Tech, was diagnosed in junior high with a learning disability. However, he hasn't let that hold him back. He is now a junior at VT and enjoying a successful season on the football field.

"It bothered me at first, but I don't let it bother me anymore. I know I need all the help I can get." -- Stephan Virgil

Last spring, when his teammates were attending spring training, Stephan attended tutoring sessions. He wanted to make sure he didn't have to watch football from the sidelines this fall because of his grades. Not only did this tutoring help him academically, it also improved his ability to learn and execute Coach Beamer's playbook.

"Now, Virgil isn't afraid to ask for help. Though he realizes learning is a series of hurdles for him, he recognizes everything he has to do to get over the obstacles." --Norm Wood

ADHD Related Videos on YouTube

Johnson & Johnson recently created a channel on YouTube featuring videos about various health conditions. One of the series of videos is about ADHD. So far they only have three videos posted, but will be adding more I'm sure.

**A special thanks to Danielle for the heads up!**