Fairly new here. I've been pretty desperate the last few years with my now 13 yr old son. He's twice exceptional, significant ADHD and ODD (oppositional defiant disorder). I'd like to start a support group in my area for parents with "differently wired" kids.
So I'm all over the internet searching for any good resource(s) on ADHD / ODD, websites, webinars, videos, books, etc. to share with the new support group (and this group as well). I'll list the best ones (IMHO) that I find and if you have found any pls share. Thanks in advance.
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NGU-NeverGivingUp
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If you haven't already added them to your list, I would suggest CHADD, Understood.org, Child Mind Institute and Kennedy Krieger as resources. I would see if your state has a special education advisory committee (SECAC).
Thanks for your enthusiasm! I wanted to find one near me and called all around in the Greater Hartford CT area. Unbelievably, I couldn't really find much of anything in terms of parent to parent type groups. I contacted a youth services organization right in the town where my son attends school and just found out today they are more than willing to 'sponsor' the support group, yay!
With our first meeting coming up in March I have my work cut out for me in terms of all the details. The W's , who, what, where, when, etc. I'm excited to be able to hear the experiences of other families and be able for all of us to share resources that we've found.
My aim is to have 2 themes, one focused on parenting, models of care and intervention, behaviors, a place to just vent and commiserate, best approaches to discipline at home, and many other related topics. The other focus is the school environment, IEPs, 504 plans, discipline as well as shining a light on the school's compliance (or not) with the IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a federal civil rights law. So pretty much what we have here, but real time, in person.
If it all works out, perhaps word will spread and other towns and organizations will start their own
What a great idea, exciting you are taking this on. I have run support groups in the past. There are a few things to think about... one is providing a space for people with ADHD, parents, guardians and grandparents to have a safe space to express themselves. So for me what worked is that I set up guidelines about being kind to others and that there is no judging in the group. I am sure there are guidelines on the internet, if you search. One thing that is always important is to introduce each member each time you hold a meeting. I was also successful because I had a "parking lot", a place to write topics that the group wanted to discuss that were not mine. Then I also brought topics that I felt were great conversation starts ( or used when there is nothing left to talk about). One last thing that worked well was to have a list of resources for the group so they could access them on their own time.
These are just a few things that really made the group successful. When I left the group because we moved out of the area, many members told me it was the best group they had been to.
Those are all great ideas, thanks for sharing! If you don't mind, I might ask your opinion on a few things as I prepare to get this group off the ground. Appreciate your positive encouragement
What a wonderful idea! I wish you good luck! I have a 14 year old son who is wired just as yours. I love the name you go by because that is exactly how I feel. Never give up!
Thanks! Appreciate the positive input on the group idea- helps keep me motivated
Kudos for you for maintaining the 'never give up' attitude. Some days, let's face it, you just want to throw in the towel, but that will pass as all things do (including the challenging behaviors our exceptional kiddos share with us
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