Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Expert Profile

Expertise

My expertise is both personal and professional. I am an adult with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, and I am an ASHA certified Speech-language pathologist. I worked in the school system, giving direct theraputic servies to children with both language difficulties and attention deficit disorder. (I am very familiar with the IEP process and the IDEA.)I have consulted on-line, in person and via the telephone with a number of parents of children with ADD.

Experience in the area

My area of expertise lies in my holistic approach to ADD and other similar neurologically-based conditions including Non-verbal learning disorders. I am a researcher of medical treatments, studies regarding concrete documentation of the geographical differences in the "ADD" brain (PET scans, SPECT scans, etc.) herbal treatments, functional organizational strategies for children and adults (stuff that'll get you through the day; sensory techniques for relaxation and stress relief; and organizational tools - from the technological to the home-grown type. I am also a researcher of other conditions that are frequently co-existing with ADD. I have read extensively about women's issues and am an empathetic individal who would like to share strength, hope, experience and education.

Organizations

I hold a Certificate of Clinical Competency issued by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

What do you like about this subject?

I enjoy educating people about this subject. So many people believe so many of the myths. I am so blessed that I have an opportunity to share the scientific evidence and processing traits behind the veil of ADHD.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I hope to do some coaching in the future. I feel that it is a more functional theraputic technique than cognitive therapy alone.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Most people believe that people with ADD/ADHD can't concentrate, but that is not the case. There tends to be problems with regulation of attention. Many of us can become hyper-focused to the exclusion of more pressing matters.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

The relationship between ADHD and Autism. I find it interesting that they both involve deficits the area of cognition called the "executive functions."