ADHD support group back in action

Cynthia Donald is hoping a meeting of the Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder support group set for Jan. 16 will bring out parents who want to learn more about ADHD as well as get support from others who have a child suffering from it.
Though the group has been running for two years, it’s been well over a year since it held a meeting–something Donald is happy to finally remedy.
“Heather Whitburn and myself have been so busy that it has been hard to get together and get these meetings planned,” she admitted. “With the first meeting, we are simply trying to see what needs there are in the community.
“Hopefully the meeting will bring with it some direction so we can organize and have people start work on different things,” she added.
Having a child who suffers from ADHD, Donald knows firsthand the kinds of stigmatisms that are associated with the disorder.
“Kids with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder are sometimes labelled as problem children when, in fact, they are simply kids who learn differently than other children,” she explained.
“Many of them are very bright but simply can’t focus their attention on something for too long.”
With new meetings scheduled, Donald is hoping parents will come out to learn more about ADHD.
“I know that when I first learned about the illness, I didn’t want to be labelled with it,” she remarked. “Then I started learning about it and my feelings about it have changed.”
Through the meetings, parents are able to talk to others who have children with ADHD, as well as have access to resources the group has on the disorder.
“We have a section in the library about ADHD,” Donald said. “There are videos and books with a lot of very useful information. It is a great resource for parents with a newly-diagnosed child.”
Although there’s still no clear reason why so many children today seem to be suffering from the illness, Donald believes it may have something to do with today’s fast-paced lifestyle.
“Today we are always go-go-go and we never stop. That lifestyle may be what is affecting kids today though there is no real proof of that,” she said.
“I also think that more and more teachers are becoming better able to recognize the symptoms, and therefore it seems like there is an increase, but really they are only getting diagnosed more,” she reasoned.
Among the signs a child may be suffering from ADHD is an inability to focus on small tasks, or sit still for extended periods of time.
“Even pre-school aged children can be diagnosed with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder,” Donald stressed. “I have had many parents come in and say that they were like that when they were kids but that no one knew what was wrong.
“Now we know.”