For handouts from the presentation, click here: ISCA 2011 Handouts- Traditional & Alternative ADHD Treatment

These newly added links help parents understand the basics of 504 educational plans and IEPs, how to prepare for multidiscipinary team meetings, and learn what you can and can’t reasonably expect from public schools.

To brainstorm and personalize a list of  specific accommodations that will help your child in academics and classroom behavior, Dr. Hill is also happy to consult individually and then write a letter on your child’s behalf.  Even in cases where parents have previously received significant “push back” from school officials, involving an outside specialist will normally lead administrators to see such requests as legitimate and to begin responding with cooperation and support.

Scroll down in Parenting Resources to the new section on Academic Accommodations and Educational Rights.  Here you’ll find information for Idaho Parents Unlimited and Great Schools.org  (Great Schools.org tambien presente su informacion en Espanol.)

Additionally, Dr. Hill and his colleagues at Jefferson Street Counseling & Consulting regularly offer free evening presentations on academic accommodations, school success, organization and similar topics.  Click here for: Dr. Hill’s upcoming presentations, or the complete Jefferson Street Counseling Calendar of Events.

National Resource Center on ADHD (sponsored by CHADD)
Extremely helpful articles on coping strategies for time management, parenting an ADHD child/teen, relationship and social skills, money management, and ADHD in the workplace.  Don’t miss the “Living with ADHD” section.

The Hallowell Center
The resources section offers 15 articles by Dr. Edward Hallowell, author of Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction.  In the upper left corner you can subscribe to his email newsletter.

National Center for Gender Issues and ADHD: Recommended Books and Multimedia Library
This site’s public resources section reviews three excellent books on girls and women with ADHD. In general, the site educates adults, parents and teachers about how ADHD can manifest differently in girls and women.  Multimedia presentations (or transcripts) include Making the Grade, How to Help Your Child, and ADD in the School: How to Stay in the Loop.

ADHD Info.com
Separate sections summarize information for understanding ADHD, what responsible treatment includes, and what info. on ADHD is myth vs. fact.  Information is also broken down by category: for parents and caregivers, for school personnel, and for healthcare providers.  The healthcare provider’s section gives references for ADHD scientific studies and professional journal articles.  As available, the references give a link to read the original articles online.

Adult ADD Info
Hosted by psychiatrists Marc Schwartz, MD and Nicholas Schwartz, MD, this website lists symptoms to recognize ADHD in adulthodd, reviews the (very limited) helpfulness of expensive brain imaging for diagnosis, and describes how google can be used to send helpful reminders to your email or cell phone.

This site includes a good Adult ADHD Self-Test, though if you have concerns you really should pursue a thorough, professional diagnosis by a provider specializing in ADHD.  In my professional experience ADHD is one of the most difficult diagnoses to make accurately, and relatively few mental health professionals have genuine expertise or training in ADHD diagnosis and treatment.  Whereas many forms of depression and anxiety can be relatively straight-forward to assess, ADHD frequently goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as another condition, as ADHD symptoms often overlap or mimic other concerns.  One large national study found that only half of those who genuinely had ADHD were currently treated, since the diagnosis frequently goes unrecognized by both the individual and the family physician.  You can take the results of any self-tests you’ve done to this appointment.

Amen Clinics
This site hosts a second online Adult ADHD Self-Test, but please read the paragraph immediately above. Dr. Amen has archived SPECT images comparing normal brain images to both treated and untreated ADHD.  Results are amazing, and Dr. Amen theorizes that up to 7 different subtypes of ADHD may exist, though similar behavioral and medical interventions are appropriate for multiple subtypes.  For the curious, the process and science of SPECT imagery is also described.  ADHD is fortunately one of the most heavily researched areas in mental health.

More Attention, Less Deficit
Psychologist Ari Tuckman showcases his two books and posts podcasts than can be played individually or subscribed on iTunes.

CHADD: Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
Brief general ADHD information, plus info. on public policy, recent legislation, and educational rights.

Schwab Learning: ADHD and LD Basics
Current articles on ADHD review the special risks and vulnerabilities for adolescents with ADHD, including academic or vocational failure, alcohol and drug abuse, risky sexual behavior, and dangerous driving.

ADDitude Magazine
A large, comprehensive website including resources for adults, parents of ADHD children, college students and more.  Resources include a complete back-to-school guide, a review of medical and behavioral treatment options, how to work with schools, a college survival guide, and bulletin board forums on improving organization, career management, parenting, recognizing ADHD, and how to get an accurate diagnosis.

ADDvance: A Resource for Women and Girls with ADHD
Closely related to the National Center for Gender Issues and ADHD, this site offers a more extensive book library, plus resources of selected articles, online support groups, and a Parents’ ADHD Self-Test for Girls and an ADHD Self-Test for Teenage Girls., but please read the indented paragraph above.

ADHD Book List (Compiled by myself and colleagues since 2005)

Academic Accommodations & Educational Rights

Great Schools: Special Education FAQ
An extensive article (disponible EN ESPAÑOL) explains how IDEA legislation may be applicable to ensure a free appropriate public education to children with special needs.  It reviews eligibility criteria and outlines examples of what parents can and can’t reasonably expect a public school district to provide.  Note that in Idaho students with only an ADHD diagnosis typically qualify for a 504 Educational Plan rather than an IEP (Individual Education Plan).  However, a carefully-crafted 504 plan will typically achieve the same goals for your child.  Dr. Hill is happy to consult with parents about how to best “navigate the system” in Idaho schools to obtain an appropriate and cooperative response rather than just getting the run around.

Idaho Parents Unlimited

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Idaho Parents Unlimited provides expert information and resources to parents of children with disabilities and professionals who serve those children.  Coordinators have expertise about available agencies and services, give assistance in successfully accessing these services, and provide resources on individual and family coping with problem behaviors.  Articles here outline what diagnoses qualify for assistance, and how best to prepare for an IEP or 504 meeting, often called a MDT or multidisciplinary team meeting.  Dr. Hill frequently assists parents preparing for these meetings, and he can write a letter advocating for those specific academic accommodations that may best help your child succeed.

Broad Mental Health Websites that include ADHD Information:

Mental Health Net
Describes the symptoms of common mental health diagnoses, then reviews treatments, research, national organizations and support groups, and online support.  To search the site, scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Psychology Info.com : Common diagnoses
Describes major mental health concerns organized clustered by global category (e.g. anxiety, depression).  Includes a review of causes, subtypes and discussion of medical and psychological treatments.

Web M.D.
With content written and reviewed by our local company Healthwise, this site offers numerous articles and resources on both physical and mental health.  The Drugs & Treatment tab takes you to an alphabetical list of medications, allowing you to see FDA indications and warnings.

Medscape: Mental & Emotional Health Info.
Pamphlet-type information for all categories of major mental health concerns, written by the National Institutes of Mental Health and Carenotes.  Also sign up here to receive periodic newsletters with the newest news and research on select topics, like ADHD and Bipolar.  Requires a quick, free registration.

National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH)  “For the Public”
Excellent reading, with more technical detail included.  Printable pamphlets available here for yourself, or to share with family, friends, coworkers or teachers.

NAMI Idaho
NAMI is a nationwide organization dedicated to support, education and advocacy on behalf of people with a mental illness and their families.  After creating a free online account, you can access numerous online discussion and support groups in a bulletin board format.  Post your comments or questions, or just read about others’ experiences.

Mental Health Interactive
Extensive archived question-and-answer site, with questions solicited from the public in an “Ask Libby” format.  Also lists national organizations and support groups.  Easy to read, though answers may be more simplified than elsewhere.

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