Bringing attention to disorder (From This Is Local London)

Bringing attention to disorder

10:08am Thursday 5th June 2008 in

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Hyperactive youngsters with short concentration spans are often viewed as being deliberately obstructive and disruptive. Reporter SCOTT MULLINS speaks to a support group intent on challenging the stereotype.

A SUPPORT group for parents of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) sufferers is trying to turn the tide against a wave of misunderstanding of the condition.

The Bromley ADDvice Group provides information and help for the families of children suffering from ADHD or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

It has been running since 2002 and has helped families in Bromley, as well as those in surrounding boroughs, cope with the disorders.

Lorni Heaven's 10-year-old daughter, Emily, and son Chris, aged 12, have both been diagnosed with ADHD.

The mother-of-three's other daughter, eight-year-old Bethany, does not have the condition.

Mrs Heaven, 42, who works as a nurse at Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup, runs the support group from her home in Aviemore Way, Bromley.

She said: "Most people are anti-ADHD. They think children with ADHD are naughty and spoilt or a result of bad parenting. This is just not true.

"Parents of children with ADHD are often stricter and have tried every behaviour technique going.

"It can't be any willy-nilly diagnosis. It's seen by teams of specialists and takes years for diagnosis to come through."

Mrs Heaven started the group because she struggled to find the answers to her questions about ADHD.

She added: "Since my son's diagnosis I have tried to find out as much information about ADHD and related disorders as I can but information and advice locally was not readily available, minimal or inconsistent."

Advice is now available online, via email or over the phone and an online discussion is held every Sunday at 9pm.

Children with ADD often have problems concentrating and are easily distracted.

ADHD sufferers experience similar symptoms but are more impulsive, often not thinking before doing something.

Brigid Chadwick has two sons and her eldest, 13-year-old Sam, was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of four.

Mrs Chadwick, 43, found out about the support group in 2003 and now helps run it.

She said: "I was desperate before I found the support group. I had literally hit rock bottom.

"There is just a complete lack of support out there for parents like me and it was a relief to find someone else was going through what I was.

"ADHD is a very misunderstood condition and this can have a devastating effect on sufferers and their families."

Sam is a Year 8 pupil at the Bishop Justus CofE School, Magpie Hall Lane, Bromley.

He admits many of his classmates do not understand his disorder.

Sam said: "I sometimes get moved to a different classroom with other kids so we don't get distracted."

He added: "I am hoping I will do just as well as the other children in my exams next year."

For more information about the group, call 020 8402 6095 or visit bromley-addvice.co.uk