Add up stands for Attention Deficit Disorder Union of Parents and we are a regional support group for Disabled ADHD Spectrum Children and their families. The group was founded initially in 1998 and other services were added in 2003 in Ballymena. Essentially we are a self help group run by and for children and Parents living with ADHD. We issue an annual free newsletter listing all new achievements for ADHD sufferers., It is full of educational material keeping the public informed of relevant events, medical breakthroughs, research etc. We also have an extensive library of books , videos, Fact Sheets and educational school leaflets. Our Drop-In centre opens soon where parents, relatives and friends can come in for a chat, or where you can hear talks and seminars on related topics. Schools can book our overhead projector and video/cinema facilities.
Initially we, as a Group, were set up to promote awareness and education on tackling Bullying as a result of the founder, Marion Kenny’s son, Lee suffering with the condition at school. She found a lack of support from her local
LEA
and State system and upon enquiries, decided to form her own group for Lee as there was no support. Lee changed school five times inside 3 years, as a result of Bullying but his story has changed from one of exasperation to one of success.
We offer Counselling and Practical Support even offering help with any legal problems families may have using Trained Staff. We promote the use of the Tinsley Method of Non-Drug Treatment for ADHD and we offer care in the community for sufferers which includes Home e HHelp Service –help with household security issues, cleaning and shopping etc. We support parents at School who are achieving Statements of Assessments for Special Needs and/or any other relevant meetings with their LEAs.
In 2004, we conducted our own surveys of school bus arenas and campaigned for change in security at bus depots. We presented our findings to our local MPs and they created forums and helped secure more funding for local travel to and from schools (See our Fact Sheets).
We closely monitor the rights of individuals for Home Schooling, lone parenting, Disabled Issues as these are all matters which
Marion
and Lee both suffered and lived through.
WHAT IS ADHD?
It is known in the medical world as Attention ~Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and around 3 – 6% of children are identified currently in the population as having this condition. Boys are three times as likely to develop it as girls. It usually appears at the age of 18 months and peaks around the ages of three, four or five. Symptoms include Lack of concentration for tasks in the child, restlessness, excessive talking and/or echolalia, engaging in aggressive and dangerous physical activity to name a few. The ADHD child will have extreme mood swings moving quickly into a state of high agitation or excitement than other children their own age. They cannot filter out or disregard unimportant stimuli – everything grabs his or her attention, has low self-esteem and often dislikes himself demonstrating annoying behaviour towards others in a persistent and enduring way.
ADHD’s cause is not known but it is generally accepted by medical experts that children are born with ADHD. Studies have shown that the brain’s frontal lobe activity is linked with the condition as others like Aspergers, Autism, Dyspraxia, etc, yet ADHD as a condition in itself can be spurned and even dismissed as being non-existent, in some circles! Try telling that to the sufferers!
CURES
AND
TREATMENT
The exact causes of ADHD are unknown, but a certain Dr Pauc and the Tinsley Clinic in the
UK
have published interesting findings about recent research done into the condition. His theories support Applied Behavioural ~Analysis (a now recognised treatment for Autism) and drug-free treatments. In practice, too, there is a high % rate of success among patients who’ve been treated by the Tinsley Clinic(see our Fact Sheet). Dr Pauc still recognises the effectiveness of Ritalin as the most common medication used in the treatment of ADHD i.e. Methylphenidate, the scientific or generic name and approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. (
NICE
) See our Fact Sheet.
Our family support evenings are held every week on Wednesday evenings from 7.30 – 9.30. New members are welcome.
We have an Interactive website where you can ask any question on any topic important to you and we can offer what expertise we have gained over the years in tackling parenting problems. We have a range of booklets/fact sheets and information which you can order online.
ADHD EDUCATION
We deliver professional presentations within the community speaking with different groups on various themes relating to ADHD and associative topics.Topics for example, like Applying for a Driving Licence . ADHD should be declared although the diagnosis itself or the medication used for the treatment are not in themselves a block to driving as each case is assessed on its merits. Medical standards of fitness to drive are outlined in the DVLNI’s website under Medical Rules. The medical categories used on the application form are quite broad in some areas eg no 15 “any other chronic neurological condition “. ADHD is mentioned in the Developmental section of the Psychiatry chapter of the “At a Glance Guide to the Current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive”.
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