I credit my own ADHD with an intense desire to learn and help others. In order to help my daughter, I dove hard into understanding all that I could about ADHD. Armed with this knowledge, and years of experience working with the schools and teachers, I decided to write my book. Below are some resources for parents that I found incredibly helpful.
UPDATE: About a year after I started this page, I started a non-profit parent resource network that pulled together all of my resources into one wonderful outreach effort. I was also able to collaborate with our local and regional schools for an even bigger reach. I still write on a regular basis, but since I reach many more people through this effort, my time has been devoted this group. Please visit www.NAParentResourceNetwork.org for some valuable resources and information on ADHD and more. My mission is still ongoing to help as many people as I can who have ADHD, but now encompasses more topics!
School
Your child’s school is an excellent resource for help. Don’t hesitate to set-up a meeting with your child’s teacher and/or guidance counselor. There are systems in place that can help create a better learning environment for your child, such as a 504 Plan or Individual Learning Plan (IEP). Often times the school can recommend further reading, for both parents and kids, as well.
By far, the best part about getting involved with the school, is the people you meet. Because we had a 504 Plan set-up early in my daughter’s elementary school years, I gained a better relationship with her teachers and the staff at the school.
I also had the opportunity to meet the director of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for my children’s school district. Not only was she was an invaluable resource regarding some of the more intricate details of ADHD in my book, but she also encouraged me to join a school group called Building Respectful Community Initiative (BRC). I continue to be active in this group today and it has helped connect me to even more resources.
Also gaining traction within the schools is a program called Understanding Our Differences (UOD). UOD brings programs to the schools within our district to help children understand physical, sensory and developmental disabilities. In this interactive program I’ve also learned a lot beyond ADHD!
Getting involved in your child’s school will help you gain a better understanding of the resources available, and help you make valuable connections that can further help your child.
I finally look up, “Isn’t that when someone can’t sit still to do anything?”
“Yes, that’s what it’s typically like in boys,” my dad says. “It stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. But we’ve learned that with girls it’s different. Girls act calmer and, as we just learned from our meeting, it’s often overlooked.”
My mom takes a breath and looks at me, “Girls don’t tend to disrupt the class and draw attention to themselves like boys do. That’s why it’s often missed.”
Excerpt from My Own Superpowers.
ADDitude Magazine
ADDitude magazine was an invaluable resource to me early on. Beyond the mailed magazine, they send out an emailed newsletter and have a bountiful website full of expert articles and advice. Their website can be found at www.additudemag.com.
As I write more stories, some will deal with other social and emotional topics. I will continue to add resources here as I learn them.
