Dee Hon
Special to The Chief
Everybody knows someone a bit like Calvin. No, not the 16th century French theologian and leader of the Reformation, but the irrepressible kid from the classic comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes.
Teachers and parents know the type particularly well: the child in almost every class blessed with a hyperactive imagination, but seemingly devoid of any filter between the brain and the mouth.
If you're taking care of kids with attention deficit disorder or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), every day presents a challenge. How can you nurture a child that may be bright, but can't sit still or pay attention in class long enough to succeed?
That question is the focus of the ADD/ADHD resource evening to be held Wednesday, Jan. 18; sponsored by Hot Spot Volunteer Centre and Synergy Event Management. The forum, "Living an incredible life with ADD/ADHD," is a free, non-profit event bringing together a wide range of speakers to let families and caregivers know the resources available locally to help children affected by ADD/ADHD. It is scheduled for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Eagle Eye Theatre.
Organizers are still finalizing a speaker list, but expect up to nine speakers from a range of professional backgrounds. Speakers will not be debating the relative merits of any particular approach. Rather, they will simply be presenting information, and allowing attendees to decide for themselves what approach they prefer.
"This is just about learning about resources," said Stacey Harding, who is helping co-ordinate the event. "These types of evenings provide individuals with the power to learn more, access resources and seek information from a broad spectrum."
Psychiatrists commonly prescribe stimulants like Ritalin to treat kids with ADD/ADHD, but as the number of diagnoses and prescriptions rise, growing numbers of people are looking for alternative approaches. In 1991, doctors wrote an estimated 2.5 million prescriptions for Ritalin and other stimulants. By 2000, that number had reached about 20 million.
Harding said at the end of the evening, panel members will be available to speak one on one with anybody with questions about his or her individual circumstances. She said she hopes the forum will be a model for others to come.
"As this is the first forum of it's kind here, to the best of my knowledge, the evening will also provide some clarity to whether or not a speaker series consisting of local and provincial experts would be supported in the community," Harding said.-with files from Sylvie Paillard
