Coming back last week from the 21st annual international conference on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in Cleveland, Ohio, first lady Cecile deJongh wanted to share some of what she learned about this sometimes debilitating condition.
The three-day conference was an opportunity for leading experts in the field to discuss the latest research, treatment plans and intervention techniques on AD/HD and was the platform for this year’s second Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder National Board of Directors meeting. The annual conference attracted those who seek to improve the lives of individuals affected by AD/HD, and brought the national board together as a means of channeling community and state-based chapters throughout the nation.
DeJongh founded CHADD chapters on St. Thomas and St. Croix in 2007 and attended the conference in her capacity as a member of CHADD’s national board of directors.
"Over the years, my work with CHADD on behalf of Virgin Islands children and families has truly raised awareness on attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder throughout the territory," she said in a statement released about the conference Monday. "It is especially important for parents and educators to have the ongoing support of a local resource such as CHADD to provide educational information and feedback."
Workshop and discussion topics included parent-to-parent training; assessment and treatment; managing the impact of AD/HD on the family; developing parenting strategies; educational rights for every child; and how to better understand teen challenges to ensure future success. The three-day conference brought together parents, educators, physicians, nurses, social workers, researchers, attorneys and coaches, as well as adults with AD/HD and chapter members from throughout the country.
As the nation’s leading non-profit organization serving individuals with AD/HD and their families, CHADD was founded in 1987 and has more than 200 affiliates nationwide, including the V.I. chapters. DeJongh seeks to raise awareness on the disorder, including other conditions that may co-exist with AD/HD such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, autistic spectrum disorder and other similar disorders.
"One of my top goals is to provide the best assistance available for Virgin Islanders who are learning to navigate the challenges associated with AD/HD," she said. "We have very good information and support available in both districts through the local CHADD chapters. … It’s important to be able to share resources, personal stories, successes and overall experiences in an informal setting. CHADD brings that element forward in a supportive and caring environment."
It’s important for parents, educators and families to recognize the signs and symptoms associated with AD/HD so they can monitor treatment plans and develop needed coping strategies in the classroom and in the home, she said.
"One of the key points made at the Cleveland conference was the need to continue to influence policy at the local level and advocate for those facing the challenges of this disorder," deJongh said.
