APECSCt
Association of Parents of Exceptional Children and Siblings
Connecticut
by parents for parents
ADHD
If you or someone you know has ADHD - you need to go to the CHADD website and become a member!!!
http://www.chadd.org/
This is THE national organization for ADHD
Members can access a wealth of information to help them with their child and school
see here:
http://www.chadd.org/Content/CHADD/AboutCHADD/CHADDPublicPolicy/Education/default.htm
Other great ADHD-centric sites and resources:
This is a top notch publication (ADDitude magazine) with great articles, blogs, email updates, and a magazine - I cannot say enough about this resource. It should be a primary resource (I mean it) -www.additudemag.com
Dr. Hallowell's publications are a great source for information and comfort - He promotes a strength based way of dealing with ADHD. He teaches us to look at what is right, unique and special about our kids - rather than focusing on the drawbacks - www.drhallowell.com
An awesome ADHD resource site - www.help4adhd.org
Dr. Barkley is a pioneer in the area of ADHD studies. You really must read his book if you wish to learn about the underlying causes of ADHD. Make sure to see his video presentations on-line - www.russellbarkley.org
Dr. Brown is a local ADHD guru. He has developed his own ADHD rating scales to help determine if there is a positive diagnosis. His book was also very helpful in understanding the disorder (which is still not fully explained by science) -http://www.drthomasebrown.com/
Another look at ADHD:
NY Times Article: "Untangling the Myths of Attention Disorder" (Dec. 2010)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/14/health/14klass.html
ADHD Videos:
Don't feel like reading? Here are some really cool videos that explain a lot -
-A basic review of ADHD - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMikx-vjgKc&feature=related
Causes of ADHD-
http://video.about.com/add/ADHD.htm
-To learn about the use of medication, see - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZAybsiNmAg&feature=related
There is also a lecture series from 'Down Under' - g'day - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDBXWGNDK2A
Comparing ADHD Treatments:
Here it is !! The Consumer Reports Review of ADHD Treatment options -http://www.consumerreports.org/health/conditions-and-treatments/adhd/patient-power-toolkit/adhd-treatment.htm
AND - the Consumer Reports review of ADHD medication - http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/adhd.htm
Publications: Share these with a Teacher
Here are two really good gov't publications on ADHD: "Identifying and Treating ADHD: A Resource for School and Home" and
"Teaching Children with ADHD: Instructional Strategies and Practices"
http://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/adhd/index.html
Connecticut formed a Task Force to study ADHD - here is the report. I could be helpful in working with the school district since this is a State sponsored report
http://www.ctserc.org/initiatives/teachandlearn/ADHD_report_5-2-05.pdf
How the Brain Works
It all comes back to this. I like to know the how's and why's of the way things work. It helps me to understand why something happens - not just that it happened. This enables me to cope and compensate better. So, for those who like to 'get under the hood' (or scalp), here is a really good video series on how the brain works
http://depression.emedtv.com/depression-video/the-brain-and-its-chemicals-video.html
IS IT ADHD OR AUTISM?
The overlap of ADHD symptoms and autism symptoms have confused many families. When a child can’t sit still for homework or a meal, or stay put in class, when he fidgets or talks too much and too insistently, most parents and educators, tutors, and coaches think, “This kid must have ADD!”
The first explanation most doctors arrive at is also attention deficit disorder. The condition is familiar, it’s been around for a long time, and there are effective strategies to manage it. It is important to remember, however, that almost any psychological or developmental disorder of childhood can look like ADHD, with or without the hyperactivity. Kids under stress, due to learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, or sensory integration problems, may exhibit the same symptoms. It takes a skillful evaluation to tease out explanations for the behaviors
http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/6594-2.html
General Childrens' Mental Health Questions ???????
Go To KIDS' MENTAL HEALTH INFO.COM
http://www.kidsmentalhealthinfo.com
LEARNING DISABILITIES:
A great starting point from the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) - DISABILITIES:
A great (LDA) -
http://www.ldanatl.org/aboutld/teachers/understanding/ld.asp
This is a very helpful site - sign up for the updates.They provide a really good news service on all LD/Spec. Ed related developments -http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/reading
Another national organization (National Center for Learning Disabilities) providing a site with a lot of information - http://www.ncld.org/
The Connecticut Association of Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities (CACLD) is a fantastic local (Norwalk) resource. Please, keep tabs on the fantastic workshops they host as well as the amazing Conference they have every year - I cannot say enough good things about them.
http://www.cacld.org/
Another good local resource to tap into is SmartKids with Learning Disabilities - their website contains over 100 user friendly articles for parents facing LD and ADHD issues such as recognizing signs and symptoms, evaluations, treatment, etc. as well as first-person parent stories. SmartKids also sponsors a number of info sessions throughout the year. Be sure to subscribe to their e-newsletter and join in their blog conversation.
http://www.smartkidswithld.org/
An amazing Connecticut autism and ASD site (CT Families for Effective Autism Treatment) - http://www.ctfeat.org/
Another Connecticut site from the Autism Society of Conn. - www,asconn.org
An impressive resource (and conveniently located in Connecticut):
http://autism.yale.edu/initial-topics/7
The Science Behind Autism - too MANY brain cells???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYY2XGEmc1s&feature=youtu.be
The mother ship - Autism Speaks http://www.autismspeaks.org/
Also: the National Autism Center has released it Autism Manual for Parents
http://www.nationalautismcenter.org/
A Great resource. You must get on this email list ! (an immense source for local/regional happenings for all things on the spectrum)- pattisylvia@aol.com - if you send an email you will be added to the list to receive great updates
The Autism Speaks "First 100 Days Kit"- for the newly diagnosed
http://www.autismspeaks.org/docs/family_services_docs/100_day_kit.pdf
NEW - Review the proposed DSM changes for Autism here:
http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=94#
"What is PDD-NOS anyway?"
Consider this - your child is at an 'ASD buffet' and takes a little of this and a little of that.
There is a smorgasbord of symptoms. Confusing? Frustrating? Yes - here are some sites.
This is good for a general understanding - from Autism Speaks -
Here is a fairly thorough review
http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/pddnos
Or - there is this quick video
http://www.5min.com/Video/The-Difference-Between-Autism-And-PDDNOS-155792331
For those who wish to distinguish the symptoms using the DSM -
Putting the DSM diagnoses into layman's terms helps to understand. This is VERY GOOD SITE- http://stevens_mom.tripod.com/id53.html
WHAT ABOUT ASPERGER'S?
Significant information and support can be found at the
Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support (OASIS) center website
(in conjunction with MAAP services - working with Asperger's, Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders)
http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/
The 'National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke' (NINDS) has an Asperger Syndrome Information Page that can be found at:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/asperger.htm
Is it Asperger's or ADHD?
http://www.aane.org/asperger_resources/articles/miscellaneous/aspergers_or_adhd.html
Follow up: The PBS special series - "Autism Today"
This 6 Part Series aired on April 18th. Veteran newsman Robin McNeil has come out of retirement for this special series. His interest in the topic is sincere based, in part, by his love for his autistic grandson. Each segment explored a different aspect of Autism. The series generated a great deal of commentary. For a look at the series and the commentary, go to:
http://www.pbs.org/search/?q=autism
DYSLEXIA
'Imagine if your were ashamed of your mind'- a question posed by Children of the Code - a website for those with loved ones struggling with dyslexia - http://www.childrenofthecode.org/
Here are some simple Questions & Answers about Dyslexia
http://www.ldonline.org/questions/reading
The dyslexia 'Bible' is 'Overcoming Dyslexia' by Sally Shaywitz. For more information on this and to read an interview with her please go to - http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/LD-ADHD/a-conversation-with-sally-shaywitz-m-d-author-of-overcoming-dyslexia.gs?content=836
Many would consider the home base for dyslexia to be the International Dyslexia Association's website:
http://www.interdys.org/
This video may be helpful in trying to imagine what having dyslexia might be like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwZLFTW4OGY&feature=related
