| Books and Videos used in the pilot project | Typical questions |
Suggestions to help the organizer and the facilitator prepare for a study circle on Attention Deficit Disorder.
Choose a facilitator - someone who has discussion leader skills rather than an expert on A.D.D. That person will have to read the study material and preview the video and any books you can get to prepare to lead the study circle. Provide the facilitator with the Role of the Facilitator, Questions, Troubleshooting and Overview of a Typical Study Circle.
Locate videos and books about A.D.D. from a school counsellor, your Alberta Mental Health Association office, the library or a support group. A video makes a good common starting point and answers a lot of questions right at the beginning. The people who attend this study circle will have lots of questions.
The Calgary Learning Center, 3390 20th St. SW Calgary, AB T2T 4Z7 (403)686-9300 fax (403)686-0627 is a good resource. Their mandate is to provide services to individuals or organizations that are dealing with learning disabilities and difficulties. For a $10 fee you can borrow books and videos from their extensive library.
Arrange to hold the meetings in a comfortable location where you can have refreshments, a flip chart, VCR and chairs around a circle, with or without tables.
Set the dates and times. Plan for three sessions of two and a half to three hours. Videos take a lot of time.
Advertise! They say it takes three contacts before people get the message. Notify schools, health units, AMHA, day care and other preschool programs, and support groups. School newsletters get to the people who need to know about your program. Talk to people!
Prepare study material for your participants. Hand it all out at once, either at registration or at the first meeting. Some reflective types need time to think about things before they open up and are ready to talk. Everyone will be keen to read whatever information you can give them. Be sure to include What is a Study Circle? and Role of the Participants and an Evaluation form.
Make up an agenda and leave it fairly open so the participants can direct the study.
Books and Videos that were used in the pilot project:
Beugin, Mary Ellen. Coping: Attention Deficit Disorder: A guide for Parents and Teachers. Detselig Enterprises Ltd., Calgary, AB.
Goldstein, S. Why Won't My Child Pay Attention?. VIDEO. The Neurology Learning and Behavior Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Goldstein, Sam and Goldstein, Michael. Why Won't My Child Pay Attention? The neurology, Learning and Behavior Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Phelan, T.W. All About Attentiton Deficit Disorder, Part I Symptoms, Development, Prognosis and Causes. VIDEO. USA: Child Management. To order: (800)442-4453.
Phelan, T.W. All About Attentiton Deficit Disorder, Part II Diagnosis and Treatment. VIDEO. USA: Child Management. To order: (800)442-4453.
Souveny, Dwaine M. ABC's For Success: Attention Deficit Disorder. Children's Services Centre, Red Deer, AB.
Typical questions your group will want to address:
- What are the signs and symptoms?
- How do you tell an A.D.D problem from a regular brat?
- At what age will you recognize it?
- What causes A.D.D.?
- What are some coping strategies?
- How do you get a diagnosis?
- Drugs-who decides?
- Ritalin - how long do they take it? what are long term effects?
- What are some alternatives to medication?
- What is effective parenting?
- What about parent - teacher cooperation?
- What are schools doing about A.D.D.?
- How do we get the support we need from family and friends?
- Where do we go from here?
- Do we want to establish a support group?
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