CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER


CHADD does not endorse products, services, publications, medications or treatments. Individuals at a CHADD-sponsored event do not represent an endorsement by CHADD, nor is it testimony by CHADD as to the quality of the products, services, publications, medications or treatments or the validity of the individual's claims.





February 14, 2012
Family Circus:  Living and Loving with ADD
Speaker: Laurie Assadi, M.A., Ed.S., Clinical Center for Learning and Development
Target Audience:  Adolescent to Adult

March 13, 2012
“I’m Sorry I’m Late” - Managing Time with ADHD
Speaker:  Deb Lekander, Certified ADHD Coach, Lekander Coaching
Target Audience:  Adolescent to Adult
REMINDER:  THERE WILL NOT BE A PROGRAM DURING DECEMBER!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU FROM CHADD!





Did you know that AD/HD is the second most inherited trait after height?  Dr. Robert Bulten, Grand Rapids physician, who has been treating children and adults for over 40 years, shared this fact at our September 13th, 2011 Kalamazoo CHADD meeting.  Dr. Bulten explained that AD/HD is NOT laziness, lack of effort, or bad parenting.  AD/HD IS a physical condition with symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and emotional reactivity. Dr. Bulten shared that individuals with AD/HD attend to huge amounts of information at one time and struggle to filter out the stimulation coming into their brains.  He explained that these individuals often live in the “now” and struggle with the concept of time.  They become easily overwhelmed by the expectations and demands of our “time” driven society and are not self-aware. 

An AD/HD brain struggles in the area of executive function, which is responsible for many functions including micro-planning and time management.  Dr. Bulten encouraged us to read Thomas Brown’s book, The Executive Function for further clarification.

Dr. Bulten shared his expertise of the medications, both stimulant and non-stimulant, that are currently utilized to treat AD/HD.  He explained that these medications are safer than aspirin and Tylenol because there are no documented cases of patient deaths.  His clear overview of the medications was appreciated by the audience and sparked many questions.  Kalamazoo County CHADD thanks Dr. Bulten for his time and willingness to share his knowledge with our attendees.

Written and submitted by:  Heather Moore, CHADD Steering Committee Member

Highlights from Previous Programs..........TS:  ROBERT




Over 50 people attended CHADD's free educational program at KRESA on October 11th. A panel of educators shared their classroom strategies for managing AD/HD students. It was a pleasure to have Robin St. Arnauld (Elementary teacher, Moorsbridge Elementary, Portage Public Schools) and Jennifer Osborn (Middle School teacher, Lawton Middle School, Lawton Public Schools) on the panel for an evening of discussion around this important issue.

Both Robin and Jennifer stressed that it is critical to establish a positive relationship with the student in order to effectively manage their AD/HD behaviors in the classroom.  They shared that every child is different and unique and it is important for teachers to meet the child where they are as they walk in the classroom door.  These skilled teachers also explained the importance of humor and how it can be used to soften the messages given to AD/HD students who are struggling to follow classroom directions. 

A variety of strategies where shared for teachers from both the elementary and middle school perspective:
  • Focus on the ‘big picture’ with their AD/HD students by allowing flexible time lines, offering a variety of testing styles
  • Understand that the AD/HD brain functions differently than the typical student. 

The audience actively participated in this meeting by asking the panel a wide variety of clarifying questions.   In reviewing the audience feedback forms it is obvious that this was another successful, educational meeting.  Thank you to both Robin and Jennifer!

Written and submitted by:  Heather Moore, CHADD Steering Committee Member


September 2011 Program
Medication Management.
October 2011 Program
From the Teacher's Standpoint