• Disability related websites

ADHD and Children Who Are Gifted

Frequently, bright children have been referred to psychologists or pediatricians because they exhibited certain behaviors (e.g., restlessness, inattention, impulsivity, high activity level, day-dreaming) commonly associated with a diagnosis of ADHD. Almost all of these behaviors, however, might be found in bright, talented, creative, gifted children. Until now, little attention has been given to the similarities and differences between the two groups, thus raising the potential for misidentification in both areas-giftedness and ADHD. This digest provides specific differences between the two groups that will help parents and educators better understand and evaluate their children.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

This is an excellent three part booklet from the National Institute of Mental Health that provides an in depth summary of ADD - including diagnosis, treatments, coping strategies, medication options, myths about other treatments and more. It is a very thorough article and has an extensive resource list of books and organizations.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

This in depth and comprehensive Briefing Paper from the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities ( NICHCY) is intended to serve as a guide to help parents and educators know what ADD is, what to look for, and what to do. While acknowledging that adults, too, can have ADD, this paper focuses on the disorder as it relates to children and youth.

Learning and Other Disabilities - A KidSource Calendar

This calendar is filled with resources and information for parents of children with learning and other disabilities. You'll find tips, articles, websites, books and more that will help you with the special challenges.

National Resources - Disabilities (Source: NICHCY)

This is a comprehensive list of national and regional organizations and websites regarding a wide variety of disabilities from NICHCY (National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities Clearinghouse). Contact information is provided for each organization.

NICHCY: General Information about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

This article from National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) gives general information about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder including definition, incidence, characteristics, educational implications, and a list of resources and organizations.

Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Disorder

With 3 to 5% of our school-age population affected by ADD, almost every classroom can be impacted. While this article is oriented toward the classroom teacher, it can also help parents of children with ADD do better in school. It includes topics such as "establishing the proper learning environment", "giving assignments", "modifying behavior and enhancing self-esteem". This article also includes other educational recommendations and a resource list.

Abuse of Attention Deficit Drug Can Be Deadly

In ADHD, brain areas ruling attention and inhibition don't work very well. The Food and Drug Administration has approved several stimulant medicines for treating ADHD. Abuse of these drugs can be deadly. This article reviews these medications and provides useful general information about the diagonosis, treatment and management of ADHD.

ADD/ADHD: What Does It Mean for Parents and Families

The following article was prepared in response to some of those frequently asked questions received through our Parents AskERIC service every month about Attention Deficit Disorders.

Attention Deficit - Hyperactivity Disorder A Guide for Parents

Conclusion: Many children with ADHD also have learning disabilities. Treating the ADHD will not treat the learning disabilities. Each must be treated if the child is to make sufficient progress. If children have ADHD and learning disabilities they may develop emotional, social and family problems. Each must be recognized and helped. Unless the total child, in his or her total environment is considered, neither the child nor the family will make as much improvement as necessary.

Attention Deficit Disorder

This is an article from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Handicapped and Gifted Children with general information about Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). It talks about the definition, characteristics, problems, causes of ADD and teaching methods that can help.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The American Speech-Language- Hearing Association (ASHA) provides a very good overview of ADD, which includes sections on identification, treatment and additional resources.

Dual Exceptionalities (Gifted and Learning Disabled)

Gifted students with disabling conditions remain a major group of underserved and understimulated youth. This article provides parents and teachers with characteristics of gifted and/or learning disabled students to help identify those students with special needs. While the article is a bit 'academic' in its writing style, the lists it contains are insightful and useful.

Medicine for the Public - Hyperactivity

The Medicine for the Public series has provided an opportunity for millions of people to learn more about how their bodies work and what they can do to maintain to improve their health. This publication is one of several adapted from the series and it deals with the issue of hyperactivity in children. It is our sincere hope that you will find this material interesting and enlightening.

Strategies for Dealing with ADD in the Classroom

This article from the Feingold Association is filled with practical ideas for teachers and parents to help students with ADD be successful in the classroom. Topics include how to give students directions, how to manage a school project, as well as hints about diet, the right furniture and the optimal floor plan in the classroom.

Rights and Responsibilities of Parents of Children with Disabilities

Public Law 105-17, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments of 1997, clearly strengthens the rights of children with disabilities and their parents. It builds on the achievements gained under Public Law 94-142, the Education for the Handicapped Act, and Public Law 101-476, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). A fundamental provision of these special education laws is the right of parents to participate in the educational decision-making process.

Alternatives to drug therapy for ADD and Autistic-like behaviors

In this article, by the Feingold Association, you'll learn about non-drug alternatives, including a dietary program, to help children with ADD.

Attention Deficit Disorder Without Hyperactivity

Because experts had begun to speculate that attention deficits, rather than high activity level, might play a greater role in the problems of these children, the term "attention deficit disorder" (ADD) replaced the earlier diagnostic terminology. Along with this shift in diagnostic emphasis came the recognition that attention deficits could exist even in the absence of high activity level, and thus two ADD subgroups were defined: ADD with hyperactivity (ADDM) and ADD without hyperactivity (ADD/WO).

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: For Parents

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurobiological condition that affects 3%-5% of the school age population.

Building Self-Esteem

Children with low self-esteem often feel like they're drowning in an ocean of inadequacy. This article will help parents improve the self-esteem of their children and it is the fourth in a series of articles from the Feingold Association. The helpful information here applies to all children, not just those who have attention deficit disorder (ADD).

Fears Keep Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder from Getting Treatment

Nine in 10 physicians, teachers, and parents of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) believe that left untreated, ADHD can have serious effects on children's performance in school and relationships with family and friends, according to a new set of Harris Interactive surveys just released. Yet more than four out of five survey respondents said that apprehension about medication and parents' lack of reliable information often prevent children with ADHD from getting the treatment they need to succeed in school and life.

How A Teacher Can Help The Child With ADD - Teaching Math

This is the third part in a series of articles from the Feingold Association, on how to help children with ADD do better in school. This one focuses on math skills. It also contains advice on how to improve the child's organization skills and how to help a child who is reluctant to ask for help.

How A Teacher Can Work With A Child Diagnosed With "ADD"

This article, from the Feingold Association, is a continuation of last week's article entitled Strategies For Dealing With ADD in the Classroom. In it, you'll find specific suggestions for helping children with everything from "Copying from the blackboard", to "homework", to "learning to read", and much more. While much of the information is specifically targeted to children with ADD or learning disabilities, some of the tips and strategies apply to any child having difficulties, for any reason, in these areas.

Learning Disabilities: For Parents

Though learning disabilities are common, they are not well understood. The most common learning disabilities are dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and auditory and visual processing disabilities. There are different signs of learning disabilities for each age group from preschool through adult.

Myths About LD

These are some myths that parents hear and relay to us at the Parents' Educational Resource Center. The myths are followed by responses based on factual documentation.

New Study Shows ADHD Treatment Superior to Standard Therapy

A new study shows that as a treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Adderall was significantly better at reducing inattention and other ADHD symptoms than the standard ADHD treatment. And it's longer lasting, which eliminates the need for medication at school.

Providing an Appropriate Education to Children with ADD

The responsibility for meeting the educational needs of children with ADD rests with the entire educational system, not just with particular sectors. Thus, if the needs of these children are to be fully met in the schools (whether through general or special education programs), increased coordination, collaboration, and consultation will have to occur among regular educators, special educators, administrators, and related services personnel.

Students with Attention Deficit Disorder

The HEATH Resource Center has received a number of requests for information on issues associated with postsecondary education for individuals with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). In this summary article, you'll read about historical trends, ADD and Adults, diagnoses of ADD. Included is a detailed list of recommended resources.

Taking the Hype Out of Hyperactivity

The National Institutes of Health convened a panel of biomedical investigators, practicing physicians, consumers and advocacy groups to examine available evidence on hyperactivity. The 13-member consensus development panel concluded that controlled scientific studies do no support, the claim that food additives, colorings, or preservatives cause hyperactivity.The NIH panel also stated that special restriced diets should not be used universally to treat hyperactivity, since there is no evidence to predict which children may benefit.

Diet Therapy For Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

An increasing body of evidence supports diet as an effective treatment for ADD and ADHD according to the Feingold Association of the United States. Persistent hyperactivity and difficulty paying attention are among symptoms commonly associated with these disorders.

NASN Supports Educational Program About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Schools

The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) is supporting a new, nationwide educational effort to provide their members with important information about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a neurobehavioral disorder that afflicts three-to-five percent of school-aged children.

Subtle Brain Circuit Abnormalities Confirmed In ADHD

Subtle structural abnormalities in the brain circuit that inhibits thoughts have been confirmed in the first comprehensive brain imaging study of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as reported in this press release by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Summer Camp Information on the Web

Parents interested in learning more about the wide range of summer camps and programs available both nationally and internationally for disabled children can find a wealth of information online. The following are what we consider to be the best, most comprehensive directories of summer programs available on the Web, along with a couple of helpful articles on what to look for when selecting a camp for your child.

Children and Adults With ADHD Urges Congress To Increase Federal Role

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders (CH.A.D.D.), the national organization dedicated to bettering the lives of individuals with attention deficit disorders (ADD) and those who care for them, today called upon Congress to strengthen the Federal government's role in the research into the causes and treatment of ADD.