- A mother’s desperate call regarding her son who was given detention every single day of the week.
- A frazzled email from young parents about their daughter’s recent diagnosis.
- A skeptical father who doesn’t even know if ADHD is real.
–These are just some examples of the many individuals who are struggling with ADHD.
The first thing they have to know is: they are not alone. The ADHD road can feel like a lonely one to travel. That’s why it is crucial to reach out to others, learn from their experiences, hear their stories and share your own. This can provide a great deal of comfort and inspiration to parents or families feeling confused, isolated or unsure.
Next, they should seek out community resources available to them. With 16,000 members and 200 chapters, CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the largest national resource available. A non-profit organization run by professional volunteers, many communities have a local chapter, which offers free support groups, free access to educational experts and monthly meetings open to the public. Our local chapter number for San Fernando Valley, where I live and work, is 615. Keeping parents in mind, CHADD also offers Parent2Parent (P2P) training, a seven week course that teaches parents the tools needed to successfully manage their child’s ADHD.
By leaning on the community and connecting with others, you won’t have to face ADHD alone. Rather, you’ll gain the support and education necessary to navigate towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.
CHADD’s mission statement is simple: “CHADD improves the lives of people affected by AD/HD.” Countrywide, The National Resource Center on AD/HD (NRC): A Program of CHADD, was established in 2002 to be the national clearinghouse for the latest evidence-based information on AD/HD, and it’s a rich resource. The NRC provides comprehensive information and support to individuals with AD/HD, their families and friends, and the professionals involved in their lives.
The NRC offers:
- The NRC Web site at www.help4adhd.org, with information on symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, educational issues, and Living with AD/HD for individuals and families affected by the disorder.
- NRC Library – an online bibliographic database with over 3,500 records
- Professional health information specialists who can respond to your individual questions. Call us at 800-233-4050 (M-F, 9am-5pm Eastern time)
Although individuals living with AD/HD can be very successful in life, without identification and proper treatment, AD/HD may have serious consequences, including school failure, depression, problems with relationships, substance abuse, and job failure. Early identification and treatment are extremely important.
Recognizing this, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a Public Health Perspective Conference on AD/HD in Atlanta in 1999. A public health research agenda was developed that included the need to establish a national resource center that provides accurate and valid information to the public and professionals.
