Jones, a nationally recognized author, diagnostic specialist, presenter and trainer, not only entertained, but educated and lightened the burdens of parents and families with ADD/ ADHD members.
"It was the best seminar I've ever been to," commented one patron who asked not to be identified to preserve her child's privacy. "This was the first time I felt I could laugh about what was going on. I felt hope that we could get through this. I'm not as scared about it now.
"I know it's going to be a lot of work still, but now I have toolsÖand a sense of humor about the whole thing."
Jones who compensated for her own disability of deafness, was a classroom teacher for 20 years and is the former director of Special Education for Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Her first advice to parents: It takes people with ADD/
ADHD longer to complete tasks; systematically work to find coping strategies that work for you and your child.
"It's a lot of high maintenance, working with these kids in the beginning, and when they're younger," said Jones. "Know that as they get older, they will develop strategies that fit them, that empower them, and that will relieve you as parents of some of the burden. It does get easierÖif you get started now."
Jones also listed recent medical discoveries about ADD/ADHD. There is a theory that a specific pattern of genes can identify ADD/
ADHD. It's not available to the public, but it's in the works. That would make the maze of diagnoses easier for children with similar symptoms to ADD/ADHD or those with co-existing conditions.
Nearly as many girls as boys are now being diagnosed with the inattentive form of ADD, and are receiving much needed help and skill building. They are no longer "falling between the cracks."
Some specific suggestions for parents of children with ADD/ADHD:
-Try individual sports which focus more on the child instead of team sports.
-Let them hold items like a kush or stress ball, when they are talking. It helps them focus and get the words out more clearly and quickly.
-Seat them directly across from, not next to, the teacher.
-ADD/ADHD kids do better with American Sign Language than foreign languages and ASL is now accepted at most colleges for the language requirement.
-Let kids play "by ear" with their instruments. Notation reading is extremely difficult and these children tend to be more gifted in "ear" and composition.
For more information on Jones and other ADD/ADHD topics go to www.clarejones.
com.
jhopkins@davisclipper.com
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