Support Groups, Organizations & Treatment Programs
For all ages, there is no cure for ADD. However, a variety of treatment options can help children and adults lead better lives managing their symptoms. Education combined with medication and counseling yields the greatest results to date. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, as people have their own unique lifestyles, their own symptoms to deal with, their own copying skill sets and their own treatment options that work best for them in their environments.
To begin, here are some of the popular components used in ADD treatment strategies. They are listed in no particular order of importance:
Information and education about ADD
Testing and consultations with healthcare professionals
Support network, groups, counseling, coaching
Medication
Behavioral, Educational and career coping skills development
Dedication, persistence and elbow grease
Available educational or workplace assistance
In all, a combination long-term program of many of the above is highly recommended for optimal treatment strategy. Here is a look in detail at each of the treatments above.
INFORMATION AND EDUCATION ABOUT ADD
First and foremost, gather all the information you can about ADD and file it in one place; one drawer or cabinet. Ask your local librarian for books, videos, cassettes, magazine articles, local meetings and anything else that can help you learn more about ADD. Conduct online searches for helpful websites with ADD ebooks, ezines, organizations, forums, message boards, workshops and more. Bookmark them, sign up for their ezine or online newsletters and check back for updates, news, informative articles, and other treatment tips. Network with your friends, healthcare providers, and others to share information and learn from each other, too.
TESTING AND CONSULTATIONS WITH HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
Often upon learning and finding out more about the ADD diagnosis, many are better able to tackle treatment plans. It’s getting over that “scary” not-knowing part first. So check with your own local healthcare network and educational advisers for help finding professionals to test for ADD. For other places to turn, check out the Yellow Pages under listings for: neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists. You can also check with local clinics, recommendations from family and ADD friends’ physicians, children’s pediatricians, your local branch of the Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (C.H.A.D.D.) group, physician and psychologist referral services, local colleges or universities with medical departments and your favorite online search engine – key in "ADHD (large city in your area)" and "ADHD (your state)" for starters. For additional help, the National ADHD Directory lists over 600 professionals and is available online via this group:
Attention Deficit Disorder Resources
223 Tacoma Ave S #100
Tacoma WA 98402
Monday–Friday
11:30 a.m–2:30 p.m.
Phone 253.759.5085
E-Mail office@addresources.org
At this time, basic listings are free for all. Expanded listings carry annual fee rates.
Here are some basic questions to ask when you are trying to learn more about ADD. Keep a journal and take notes about each place you call for information so that you’ll have good records to refer back to when making choices.
QUESTIONS:
1. Can you test for ADHD? If “yes”, what portion is covered with my health insurance and/or do you have sliding scale fees (these are generally based upon income)? If “no”, ask for recommendations / referrals that may be covered or call your insurance company for referrals.
2. Is ADD is large part of your practice? And how experienced is the person I would be working with in successful ADD treatment? (Key is to look for someone with successful experience).
2. Briefly describe your testing procedures.
3. Briefly share some of your recent history of your current treatments that are working successfully with ADHD - in adults (or “in children” depending upon your need).
4. What type of treatments do you have available? (Key is to make sure there are options to personalize what works for your lifestyle, and not a one-size-fits-all approach.) And can you mail out some information about them?
A. Check timing and costs (especially medications) to make sure their options fit into your schedule and budget
B. If medications are involved, make sure someone has authority to prescribe, as psychologists don’t and may send you to a psychiatrist whom they work under or elsewhere – meaning more expense, another consultation, etc. - so check your insurance again for coverage, timing and costs for scheduling and budgeting.
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