ADHD Workshop Offers Information & Support
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD) is the most common behavior disorder diagnosed in children and teens. It starts in early childhood and usually continues into adulthood. Children with ADD or ADHD get distracted easily and have trouble concentrating. Many also find it hard to sit still for even short periods of time, causing problems at school and at home.
“Out of 550 students in our school, there’s usually at least one child with ADD or ADHD in each classroom,” says Bruce Morton, principal of West Walton Elementary school in Yuba City. “Simple things, such as breaking assignments into smaller chunks, can really help these children function better. Teachers and parents need to know these things.”
Dispelling ADHD myths
Last fall, Sutter North teamed up with the Yuba City and Marysville Joint Unified School Districts to start an ADHD Parent Workshop. The bi-monthly workshops cover topics such as medication, behavior modification and special programs offered by the school district. They also provide much needed emotional support.
“There are a lot of misconceptions about ADHD, especially with regards to medication,” says Sutter North pediatrician Arnold Gold, MD, co-leader of the workshop. “While there is no cure for ADHD, these children can greatly improve with proper treatment. The workshops provide parents with the tools and information they need to help their children succeed and minimize the stress ADHD can cause a family.”
Learning what works
Carolyn Hillock started attending the ADHD workshops back in October. She already knew Dr. Gold. They met 17 years ago when he first began treating her foster son, Chris.
“Chris really started to blossom after Dr. Gold put him on medication and taught me how to structure Chris’ surroundings and routine to help him cope better,” says Hillock. “Anyone caring for a child with ADHD should learn as much as they can. The workshop is a good place to start. New information is coming out all the time, and it really helps to share with others who understand what you are going through.”
Reaching out to schools
In addition to his duties at Sutter North, Dr. Gold sees children at the Sutter County School District’s ADHD Clinic that he helped start 15 years ago. Schools refer children to the clinic who can’t afford to see a physician. Pediatricians from Sutter North staff the clinic once a week, and Sutter North provides the clinic with some funding and administrative support.
“There’s a real need for these types of services in the community. Without the clinic, these children wouldn’t receive the care they need,” adds Dr. Gold. “We plan to start an ADHD Clinic for the Marysville School District later this year to help even more children.”
The next workshop is March 22 at 6:00 p.m. at 969 Plumas Street, Ste. 208.
For more information about the ADHD Parent Workshop, please call (530) 749-3664. The workshop is free and open to the public.
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