Your Local London
Text your news or pictures to 80360 starting message with LOCAL. click here for details »
Bringing attention to disorder
10:08am Thursday 5th June 2008
Comments (25)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
Your Say YourThis Is Local London
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Study says...
10:34am Thu 5 Jun 08
ACCEPT THE FACT THAT YOUR CHILD IS NOT ANOTHER EINSTEIN
Posted by Lord Erastus Theobald Piggott at 7:43am on Sat 24 May 2008.
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
Bromley-addvice, Beckenham says...
5:47am Fri 6 Jun 08
I think you should not waist your time posting messages about ADHD as you state you don't believe it is a real condition.
I and thousands of other parents in the UK know what we are talking about and would not dream of showing our ignorance by writing comments like you do.
I presume you must be one of those Church of Scientology followers who plague ADHD support groups with your moans & groans & insults.
Well if you are a Scientologist more fool you as they believe we are all descended from aliens & think all psychiatric illnesses are just lies & don't need treatment.
If you are not a Scientologist then even more fool you to show how small minded & ignorant you are about recognised & legitimate medical conditions.
Oh well I suppose you & your friends will send another 200 messages to respond to my article. As you did to Mrs Heron's article.
If you really don't believe in ADHD then stop commenting on it.
Oh & to put the record straight, the news Shopper approached me to do the article as they wanted to ask an expert their opinions!
someone who thinks lthe Lord needs to get a life!, says...
7:38am Fri 6 Jun 08
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Naughty Step says...
7:46am Fri 6 Jun 08
Like it or not, the majority of people do not believe this 'condition' exists.
On the other hand, if the 'condition' does exist, do you not think that many failed parents find it convenient to label their naughty offspring with ADHD as a cop out?
Do you not think it too much of a coincidence that siblings Chris and Emily BOTH suffer from ADHD?
Perhaps they should be diagnosed as being naughty and dealt with accordingly?
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Naughty Step says...
7:48am Fri 6 Jun 08
What's new?
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
VERN, west wickham says...
8:03am Fri 6 Jun 08
If you look at the parents of kids with this "thickness" most are thick stupid and fat who live in poor housing watch day time tv and would love to appear on Jeremy Kyle.The women have usually got/had four or five kids by five different neanderthal partners.
These kids need to have conversation with the parents rather than grunting which most are only capable of - they also need a slap now and again -and some discipline or they will end up with the tree card trick of
ADHD, ADD and .....ASBO....
Pink Kitten, London says...
9:54am Fri 6 Jun 08
It's utter rubbish!
me, bexley says...
10:21am Fri 6 Jun 08
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Classroom says...
10:30am Fri 6 Jun 08
'ADHD sufferers experience similar symptoms but are more impulsive, often not thinking before doing something.'
Sounds like a typical, run-of-the-mill, normal child, to Your Lord.
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Library says...
10:37am Fri 6 Jun 08
www.newhorizons.org/
spneeds/adhd/armstro
ng.htm
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
Dr Bob, Ward 10 says...
12:28pm Fri 6 Jun 08
Pink Kitten, London says...
3:33pm Fri 6 Jun 08
Could it be anything to do with the fact that their no good parents feed them junk food everyday? It has been proven that when you consistently eat crap food it effects the brain's performance. Try giving them nutritious meals?
Oh no I forgot you don't want to do that do you? Why? Because you won't be able to claim extra benefit money for your naughty child will you?
Stefanie, US says...
6:01pm Fri 6 Jun 08
While ADHD is without a doubt over-diagnosed, it is also a legitimate diagnosis for many kids, and many adults. There are numerous studies which have found developmental differences in the brains of ADHD kids vs. kids who don't have ADHD. Not only have developmental differences been found, but so have chemical imbalances and differences in the way synopses fire. There's scientific/biologica
l evidence to back up the diagnosis.
Mrs Heaven Bromley-ADDvice Support, Beckenham says...
4:38pm Sat 7 Jun 08
Pink Kitten wrote:My children eat fresh fruit & vegetables everyday. I rarely buy junk food or microwave meals.
'Children with ADD often have problems concentrating and are easily distracted.' Could it be anything to do with the fact that their no good parents feed them junk food everyday? It has been proven that when you consistently eat crap food it effects the brain's performance. Try giving them nutritious meals? Oh no I forgot you don't want to do that do you? Why? Because you won't be able to claim extra benefit money for your naughty child will you?
ADHD is real & if any of you were unfortunate enough to have kids with the condition then you would never cope- or you would end up having your kids taken away from you because you think smacking or worse is the answer- if only that were the case!
ADHD is real so get a life & comment on articles you actually know about.
Vern, West Wickham says...
5:49pm Sat 7 Jun 08
All this is boll****. Your kids are in need of discipline and should not be felt to think they are special.
The fact is that MOST of these kids are thick and have equally thick numnut parents. They have always been there & allways - They are the kids in the Remedial class at school and the ones that cause all the disruption & before you say anything My son was one he is a few tools short of a toolbox but he left school and is now serving in the forces.
I didnt go round taking the p*** making excuses for him
God, UP ERE says...
9:34pm Sat 7 Jun 08
GOD, UP ERE says...
9:36pm Sat 7 Jun 08
anita, dartford says...
9:54am Wed 11 Jun 08
Chadders, Beckenham says...
2:41pm Wed 11 Jun 08
k, bromley says...
9:22pm Wed 11 Jun 08
infact they are more intellegent then normal children, they to also dont crave sweet things.
also the fathers are not absent they to suffer like us mums.
you may also know that MOST adhd suffers dont go to jail, the ones that do are the ones that use it as an excusse and where parents give up.
the ones that dont give up drain themselves in making sure our children fit in so people like you dont BULLY them.
unless you have met a child/adult with adhd then please dont judge.
yes my son has adhd but he is well loved by teachers and friends his ahead of his class, is full of joy, abd yes he comes crashing down fast which confusses their little brains.
and sends mixed signals.
then comes the depression as they can not cope with it all, imagin when/if you have suffered depression and times that by 10. would you cope.
i think our children try so hard to cope in this world but having to put up with insults is not fair.
it doesnt matter if they have adhd or if they are fat pwoplw will always find fault.
me and my husband are very proud of our adhd children and our non adhd child.
Dr P. Kinsella, Keston says...
8:23am Thu 12 Jun 08
Chadders wrote:A Doctor I know told me that the problem is inherited.Research in America is proving that if the Mother consumes/or has consumed food that contains high numbers of additives or a high fat content will if pregnant put her unborn child at risk from adhd.
The mother in the photo looks a bit lardy to me.I bet the freezer is full of chips,nuggets and fat burgers. Where is the father. Has he buggered off.?
The Mother if obese and of low intelligence will continue the cycle of poor nutrition to her child once born.
Although Chadders comment seems to be an attempt at humour.There is a correlation between Fat mothers and problem children.
As a percentage there are more fat mothers of these children than not and the research is proving it.
k, bromley says...
10:17am Thu 12 Jun 08
i can tell you that your information is wrong as i should know.
one is im a slender size 10 and only fed on fruit while pregnant, and little meat.
also i am of some what good intelliegent apart from my spellings, but who doesnt.
so aswell as our children being bulled for having adhd now thier mothers and fathers are to be balmed for having a little middle weight.
its like saying if you where glasses your a geek!
its just a case of small minded people.
Dr P Kinsella, Keston says...
11:42am Thu 12 Jun 08
Sisyphus, Bromley says...
11:17pm Thu 12 Jun 08
Vern wrote: They are the kids in the Remedial class at school and the ones that cause all the disruption & before you say anything My son was one he is a few tools short of a toolbox but he left school and is now serving in the forces.
Arrghhh, are you kidding?!! Bring that lad home immediately - he's going to kill someone. Friendly fire incoming...it's brain of Britain Vern's idiot son again! Oh, and Vern mate, ever heard of punctuation?
Buy this photo »
Chris Atkinson, 12, and his sister Bethany, eight, with their mum Lorni Heaven and Tom Chadwick, 11, with his mum Brigid and brother Sam, 13 BR11377
In this section
- HISTORY: Diana, the bodyguard and one rainy evening in South Woodford
- Lovebox Festival announces thrilling line up
- Students showcase sartorial talent
- Anne Main to face formal inquiry
- Statement from St Albans MP Anne Main
- Fond memories of life in Nissen huts
- Watchdog confirms Anne Main investigation
- Anne Main faces expenses inquiry
- WANSTEAD: Vote band to festival main stage
- MP claimed for tax advice
Sponsored Links
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Study says...
10:25am Thu 5 Jun 08
As Your Lord has stated before, ADHD used to be known as NAUGHTY.
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott