A new year often means New Years Resolutions. As a parent with and ADHD child, one of your resolutions could be to keep finding new ways to help your child manage and cope with her ADHD.

"This new year, take stock of your child's life at home and at school - and how you think you are doing as her parent. How can you create an environment that helps your special, wonderful child overcome the obstacles in her path?"

Helping create strong family connections and leaving time for unstructured play are just two of the suggestions offered in this article. Read more at iVillage.com.

Learn about Camp Huntington special needs summer camps.

Labels: parenting, support groups, families

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Millions of children are diagnosed with ADHD. While some parents choose to start home schooling an ADHD child, some prefer to help their children learn how to function in a typical school environment. But what about the teachers? How can a teacher effectively work with and help a student with ADHD, without neglecting the other students?

"Whether accommodations are delivered via a 504 plan or an IEP, careful assessment and documentation of a student's strengths, interests, and needs is vital in developing an appropriate plan that assists the student in meeting his or her educational goals."

Kristie Melkers, special education consultant, offers other suggestions, such as presenting curriculum in a clear, progressive manner, and assessing sensitivity to computer monitors and fluorescent lights. Read more at BellaOnline.com.

Learn about Camp Huntington special needs summer camps.

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Her nickname is "Chi Chi", which means "energetic", and energetic she is. Her real name is Elizabeth and she has ADHD.

"When I was little, I guess I was a lot to handle. Third, fourth, and fifth grade at Rumford Elementary was really hard for me. I was always known as a hyper child..."

When it came time for high school, Chi Chi's parents transferred her to Proctor, a school that has developed a support system for students with learning disabilities. Chi Chi has learned how to stay organized, how to get her homework done on time, and the hands-on learning helps her stay focused. Read her story in her own words at CMonitor.com.

A list of boarding schools for children with ADD can be found at BoardingSchoolsInfo.com

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Scott Ligon wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until he was forty. Though many view ADHD as a disability, Scott has focused on the benefits and strengths he gains from having ADHD.

"'There are a lot of connections between creativity and ADHD. For me, digital art is a right brain way of doing things. I'm attracted to frenetic, colorful things, and I'm sure that's all part of the ADHD.'"

Ligon has held art exhibitions in Washington, Los Angeles, and most recently at the University of Mary Washington. He's also received a distribution offer to an animated digital film. Read more at Fredericksburg.com.

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South Dakota has just released a 28-page guide to mental health services, aimed at helping parents of children with mental disorders such as depression, and ADHD.

"The guide was developed through a grant from The Wellmark Foundation, a nonprofit group that seeks to improve the health of South Dakotans and Iowans."

The guide is available in public libraries, and libraries in vocational, medical, and public and private schools. Read more online.

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Denise Martin knows firsthand the negative affects of consuming too much refined sugar. In her 2005 book, "Eating My Way to Heaven", Martin shares her story, which includes a childhood of abuse, and a reliance on sugary food as a source of comfort.

"'For me, and many other around the country, sugar addiction started at a young age. Well-intentioned parents reward children with sugary snacks, turning a biochemically harmful substance into a comfort food.'"

Martin has co-founded the first sugar detox center in the country and seen patients with ADHD and other afflictions experience remarkable improvement. Read more at BlackStarNews.com.

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It's been nearly 30 years since the psychiatric community first detailed and diagnosed ADD or ADHD. A full generation of kids who were prescribed Ritalin in elementary and middle school are now adults. Many have chosen to stop taking medication, and the scientific community is curious to see what the results will be.

"Today, the children on the leading edge of a wave dubbed 'the ADD generation' have reached the cusp of adulthood. And as they take on jobs or college, care for themselves away from home, enter into adult relationships and become parents, these newly minted grown-ups are carrying out a massive natural experiment."

In recent studies, as many as 9 out of 10 people who were prescribed Ritalin as kids have chosen to stop taking it. Most report that they feel more "normal" without it, and feel they are up to the challenge of facing life medication free. Read more at MontereyHerlad.com.

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Some children with ADD and ADHD can effectively learn in a typical classroom setting. For some, however, there are too many distractions and other stimulations and learning is simply not possible. For those children, homeschooling is a great option.

"When you first start to homeschool your child, create short lessons. The regular student has enough problems with focusing on lengthy assignments and activities; ADD multiplies this problem."

Interactive activities can help your child as well. An activity that keep a student's hands busy will help him focus mentally. For more difficult subjects like math, consider using an online tutor. Read more online.

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A recent study has found that girls and boys with ADHD who respond well to Strattera may be able to take a lower dose as part of maintenance therapy.

"At the end of the study, no significant difference was observed between the groups in relapse rates. The participants who continued on the high-dose therapy had greater increases in heart rate compared with those on the low-dose..."

Read more online.

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Carlabeth Mathias, an elementary school counselor and licensed clinical social worker, has developed a 4-session class called "Yes I CAN Pay Attention". The class is designed to teach focusing and problem-solving techniques.

"Each session uses a chapter from a children's book, engaging group activities, and materials for practice at home to teach skills such as staying focused..."

Included in the curriculum are take-home materials that parents can use to help their children develop these skills. Read more online.

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Beginning January 23rd, the Franklin County ADHD Support Group will be offered as a resource for parents and caregivers of children with ADHD. A similar group was launched several years ago, but there wasn't enough interest to keep the group going.

"...a recent resurgence in call from parents and requests from teachers sparked the revitalization of the group."

The group will meet monthly, and will offer guest speakers, books, videos, and other resources. In addition, parents will have opportunities to interact and network, offering support and guidance for one another. Read more at TheStateJournal.com.

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Easter Seals Wisconsin will offer a program for 7-13 year-old children who have ADHD. The weekend program will take place February 16-18 in Wisconsin Dells.

"Easter Seals experienced staff will focus on the unique social and emotional needs of this population. The ADHD weekend will be filled with activities that promote positive social interactions, increase independence and improve self esteem."

As of 2003, 2.5 million young people, ages 4-17 were receiving medication for ADHD. Read more online.

Find more summer camps for children with ADD or ADHD at summercampsinfo.com.

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The National Institute of Mental Health offers several suggested forms of treatment, therapy, and intervention intended to help a family with an ADHD child function properly.

"Both parents and children may need special help to develop techniques for managing the patterns of behavior."

Suggestions include behavioral therapy and social skills training. Read more at NIMH.gov.

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