Hints from Heloise

Tue., Sept. 18, 2007

The Spokesman-Review

Dear Heloise: For the past several years, you have printed my letter, which has been a valuable resource for many of your readers.

You might remember me as the mother of six kids with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Needless to say, my children faced so many challenges in school, during family time and in social interactions. Although there were days when I felt like giving up, I continued searching for ways to help my kids. But now that they are all grown up (ages 19-31) and on their own, they continue to deal with this disorder daily. I see firsthand their struggles to maintain relationships and balance their personal and professional lives. And since ADHD is highly genetic, I am watching my children find ways to manage their own children’s ADHD symptoms.

As a way to help other families, my husband and I participate in ADHD Experts on Call, an educational hot line that allows people affected by ADHD to speak one-on-one with leading experts – such as teachers, school nurses, doctors and parents like me – who share stories, offer advice and give callers the tools they need.

Through the years, we have received more than 15,000 calls from parents, grandparents and caretakers who read about the hotline in “Hints From Heloise” and who feel they have lost all hope in helping their children, and many calls are from adults facing other struggles because of their ADHD.

The ADHD experts on call will return again this year from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. (PDT) on Wednesday, which is also ADHD Awareness Day, a day designated by the U.S. Senate to recognize ADHD and raise awareness about the disorder. The toll-free number is 888-ASK-ADHD (888-275-2343) – or people can chat online live with an expert at www.ADHDExpertsOnCall.com. All callers will receive free information about ADHD. I only wish this program had been there for me when my children began to struggle with the disorder.

Thank you, Heloise. I hope you can once again pass on this valuable information to your readers. – Sandy Jones, via fax

Sandy, you deserve the big thank-you for sharing your family’s story to help others. Readers, please take a minute to cut this out and tape it on the fridge as a reminder to call the hotline. – Heloise

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