With funding from the Louis and Peaches Owen Family Foundation, a fall symposium on ADHD will be held at the University of Texas' Tyler campus this fall. Titled "The Gift of ADD/ADHD," the conference will take place Sept. 12, 9 a.m. to noon.

The symposium will be moderated by Jana M. Sisk, licensed social worker and executive director of Parent Services Center. Speakers and topics include the following:

• Dr. Ray Scardina, Trinity Clinic -- Medical Aspects of ADHD
• Suzanne Brians, UT Tyler, licensed professional counselor -- The Home Environment
• Kim Paetzel, Tyler IDS -- The School Environment

The cost of the symposium is $10 for those who register before Sept. 3, and $15 for those who register later. More information is available by calling Parent Services Center at 903-595-2235.

Labels: education, texas

As learning disabilities like ADHD and dyslexia have become easier to recognize and diagnose, a disparity in funding has also become more easily recognizable. There are currently two groups of "special needs" children that are treated very differently – those with learning disabilities, and those with more severe developmental issues like Down Syndrome.

A child with ADHD, for example, is left in a classroom with 30 plus other students and one teacher, who has neither the time nor energy to focus on one student.

As a consequence, the student begins falling farther and farther behind. Or he may be warehoused in a classroom with students with the same disability, which is counterproductive, to say the least. (Source: Coquitlam NOW -- British Columbia, Canada)

While no solution is currently forthcoming, this disparity can be minimized by parents who advocate for their children's education. In the United States, children who are diagnosed with ADHD are guaranteed access to special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Labels: education, special-needs

Cameron Carter is an 11-year-old British boy who has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and dyslexia. Both conditions cause him trouble in class; he gets frustrated and acts out, behavior which led to seven expulsions during elementary school. Now that he's in secondary school, the problems are continuing -- and his mother is less than pleased with the school's response

Cameron Carter has been excluded from Forest Town's Garibaldi School five times since September. ...

Angela [Cameron's mother] claims [his current school] does not have the resources to deal with Cameron, but a request to move him has been knocked back by the Nottinghamshire Local Education Authority. Now Angela says action needs to be taken quickly -- before her son gets in more serious trouble ...

A Nottinghamshire County Council spokesman said the cost of sending Cameron to the school in Cumbria would be over 100,000 [British pound sterling] every year. "There is no professional evidence to suggest that Cameron needs an independent special school or a residential setting," he said. [Source: Mansfield Chad]

School officials have said the cost of sending Cameron to a special school are too high, and they believe his current school is equipped to help him. Angela disagrees, and has taken legal action to challenge the district's decision.

Because some local public schools are unprepared to educate students with ADHD, many parents have enrolled their children in a private boarding school that specializes in providing comprehensive educational services, behavioral guidance, and emotional support to students with ADHD.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, education, schools

A bill that was recently introduced into the Texas legislature would provide scholarships to parents of children with disabilities. Those scholarships could be used for special education programs in either public or private schools.

Now, students who qualify for special education programs are defined as those with documented physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. They also can be students with autism, learning disabilities, or traumatic brain injuries, among other conditions.

The new bill would give parents more choices for where to place their special-needs students, giving them the freedom go outside their school district to other schools that have better programs.

Source: Beaumont Enterprise (TX)

Labels: education, learning_disabilites, special-needs

A British mother of a special needs child lost a legal battle to get her county to finance her daughter's education in a $65,000-per-year private boarding school. The mother argued that her child needs a 24-hour curriculum of learning, supervision, and therapy.

Judge Richard Inglis ruled that the 11-year-old could receive an adequate education in a public day program at half at the price of the private school.

Parents of special-needs children in some parts of the United States have won lawsuits requiring their states to pay for private boarding schools if the public schools are inadequate for their children.

Labels: boarding_school, education, special-needs

Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who, since 1986, has worked with ADHD children and their families. In this Parenting Ideas article, he offers suggestions for helping kids get the most out of their school experiences.

"Get to really know and understand your child's needs at a deeper level. Keep in mind the difference between real 'needs' and things that you 'want.' Real 'needs' would include resources that your child must have in order to function at acceptable levels. Have documentation to back up what you think is a need. Be able to express this information to his school, doctor, etc.

"Dr. Cowan also stresses the importance of asking questions. Most professions have their own 'language' and parents need to push both doctors and educators to explain things in everyday language. Not only will this help parents understand their child's diagnosis better, but it will help parents determine whether the "professionals" they're talking too really know their stuff or not. Read more at ParentingIdeas.org.

Stone Mountain School, a therapeutic boarding school for boys, is set in a rural area of North Carolina which removes common distractions and allows boys struggling with academics and behaviors a chance to learn how to control their emotions while earning school credits.

Labels: advocacy, education, schools

The strategy is called SLANT and was developed by researchers at Kansas University. It was initially developed for special needs children, but researchers have since discovered that it works best with ADD or ADHD students.

"In the SLANT strategy, the S stands for 'Sit up straight', the L stands for 'Lean Forward', the A stands for 'Activate your thinking', the N stands for 'Note key idea' (littler ones, 'Nod and smile' works better), the T stands for 'Track the talker'."

Teachers can create posters to place around the room, or even note cards that can be taped to students' desks. Then, when a student is not paying attention, all the teacher has to say is "SLANT" or "everyone needs to SLANT". The students know what it means and are reminded to sit up straight and pay attention.

BoardingSchoolsInfo.com offers a list of the best learning disability boarding schools for kids with ADHD, NVLD, and other learning disorders.

Labels: education, learning_disabilites, teachers

In 2005, CHADD - the nation's leading organization for people affected by attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, established a program called Parent-to-Parent. The purpose was to connect parents of children with ADHD, giving them a forum in which to share not only their challenges, but successful parenting practices.

"Parent-to-Parent is a unique educational program for parents and individuals who are dealing with ADHD; many participants, or their family members, have recently received a diagnosis of AD/HD and are searching for reliable, evidence-based information on the disorder. Courses are offered in 38 states and online by certified Parent to Parent teachers who have received training through CHADD."

A typical course is seven weeks long, meeting once a week for two hours. Topics include diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, behavioral/parenting strategies, and school issues. Read more online.

Labels: education, parenting, support groups

In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Thames Elementary school has launched its first "transitional first-grade" classroom. The classroom is made up of just a few students, and is intended to help children with ADHD and other behavioral or learning challenges develop the skills they need to transition into first-grade.

"Teacher Candace Hill's class is smaller, which means more one-on-one time. And lessons are tailored to each individual child. Some students go to a first-grade classroom for lessons, to ease the transition into second grade."

The parents of all 11 children in this first class agree that it's the best place for their children. Read more at ClarionLedger.com.

Labels: education, schools, teachers

Sherry Young's son struggled with school, even in kindergarten. It was hard for him to pay attention, and he was disruptive. He was diagnosed with ADHD and began a combination of medication and counseling to help him learn to control his emotions. Young did her best to help her son, but her own battles with depression and anxiety were limiting her effectiveness.

"Her brother, Eddie Young, a former marine, became a positive role model and provided the discipline Alexander needed. His wife, Regina Sitton-Young, a speech pathologist, was able to help with homework."

Their willingness to help gave Sherry's son the structure he needed, and Sherry the time she needed to become healthy as well.

Read her story at GreenvilleOnline.com.

Labels: education, single parenting ADHD kids, support groups

Many people are affected by ADHD, not just those who are diagnosed with it. In an effort to help educate those affected, organizations and support groups are developing more and more distance education opportunities.

"Online learning is beneficial to those who learn better through visual modalities."

Teleclasses, audio streaming classes, and real time chats, and message forums are all available at websites like www.addaudiolibrary.com and www.addclasses.com.

Read more online.

Labels: education, support groups

Special-education teachers in the Frankfort Independent Schools are ready for big changes. At an organizational meeting Tuesday, those teachers led a discussion with district officials and parents about improving education for students with special needs at Frankfort High School and Second Street School. Read more online.

Learn about Camp Huntington special needs summer camps.

Labels: education, schools, special-needs