On his blog, Hunter in a Farmer's World, Chris G. writes about life as the father of two children with ADHD (one of whom has also been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome). On June 2, Chris G. -- who suffers from ADHD himself -- wrote about an activity that he and his family have been enjoying together, and which he believes may be particularly suited to other families who have been affected by ADHD: geocaching.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt in which the participants use a GPS, or a global positioning system receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers called geocaches or caches, anywhere in the world. Typically, the cache is a small waterproof container holding a logbook and some small trinkets as the treasure.

This game became popular after the GPS satellite systems were upgraded to become more accurate, around 10 years ago. Currently, there are over 814,000 active caches hidden around the world.

So why do these games seem well suited for the ADHDr's of the world? It is suitable for the young to the old. Some caches are considered "park and grabs," meaning that you can practically pull your car right up to the site. Others are more challenging, requiring a hike into deep woods or mountains. They often get us out into the therapeutic, green outdoors.

And lastly, the novelty of each adventure seems to keep the attention of the ADHDr's, with our curiosity getting the best of us.

For more information about this intriguing and innovative activity, check out one of the many websites that are dedicated to geocaching.

Labels: activities, Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, families

New Zealand is observing an ADD/ADHD Awareness Week which began today.

"'For many children, young people and families, the issues around ADD/ADHD are normal family and parenting issues but manifested in a more intense form,' said [Ruth] Dyson. 'Parents respond to this by engaging in support services, parenting courses, counseling and alternative treatments in addition to or instead of healthcare interventions.'"

Events and seminars are planned throughout the week and will include pediatricians, doctors, counselors, and more. Source: Independent News

Labels: awareness, families, parents

Life is busy and hectic for every family. But for families of children who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder children, organization and structure are even more important. A new website, Organizing For ADHD, aims to help parents by offers suggestions for keeping the house in (reasonable) order.

"The more stuff we own, the more difficult it is to find places to store it all. When this happens, sometimes our things enter spaces that they don't belong, and the kitchen becomes the playroom. One easy fix for this problem is to designate rooms or spaces in the house for each activity."

Sample pieces of the advice offered on the site include the following:

• If your child is young enough to have toys, consider sorting through the toys and putting them in plastic, see-through bins. This will make it easier for your child to find the toy he wants without dumping the whole bin onto the floor.
• For older children, start putting homework right in front of the door. That way, they are less likely to forget it.

Source: eMaxHealth

Labels: families, organization, tips

Families that include a child with ADHD often have more chaos, more stress, and more frustrations. But there are many things family members can do to ease these emotions.

"It's important to remember that the child with ADD/ADHD who is ignoring you, annoying you, or embarrassing you is not acting willfully. Having ADD/ADHD can be just as frustrating as dealing with someone who has it. Kids with ADD/ADHD want to sit quietly; they want to make their rooms tidy and organized; they want to do everything Mom says to do, but they don't know how to make it happen. If you keep this in mind, it will be a lot easier to respond to your child in positive, supportive ways."

Make a point to recognize and acknowledge positive things. Chances are your child is already aware of his shortcomings. Help him see the good things, too. It's also important to keep things in perspective and remember that when your child acts out, he does so because of a disorder, not because he's willfully disobedient. Read more at HelpGuide.org.

Labels: families, positives, tips

Parents of children with ADHD know they need support and guidance, but don't always know where it can be found. CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder) has developed a class called Parent to Parent, to help equip parents and other family members.

"Parent to Parent provides educational information and support for individuals and families dealing with AD/HD... The entire course includes 14 hours of time and is usually offered as a seven week class, meeting for two hours once a week."

The curriculum covers parenting strategies, ADHD assessment, educational strategies and more. Courses are offered in local communities across the country. Read more at CHADD.org.

Still looking for a summer camp for your ADD/ADHD child? Visit the ADD Summer Camps page at SummerCampsInfo.com for a full list of camps.

Labels: families, parenting, support groups

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: families, parenting, support groups