A week ago, I attended the ADDA Southern Region Annual conference. It is always a blessing to go and hear what is on the horizon for children and adults with ADD, ADHD. It is good to meet with others in the field workin
g with this group of children and their families. Those who attend were educators, physicians, various clinicians and parents. I highly recommend that you attend. I always come away with something new to try or ponder. The conference usually bounces back and forth each year alternating between Houston and Dallas.

This year, I had opportunities to visit with a number of parents. While they came to my booth to hear about Charis Hills, I heard stories of heartaches for their children and themselves as they face difficult decisions. The input and pressure from friends and family are not always helpful.

Often in the past, pharmaceutical companies have had booths representing the latest medications. I did not see any at this year’s conference. This year, I only heard about one “new” medication. It is essentially, an old medication typically used to treat high blood pressure, reformulated so that it is longer acting. I heard several success stories related to this. I have spoken with many parents trying to make decisions about whether to put their child on medication or whether to try a new medication. I hear them agonizing over this decision and the difficulty they face when confronted with so many opinions. There are many other suggestions such as vitamins, supplements…etc. on the market. While we all benefit from better nutrition and in particular from eating whole foods rather than processed, these are family decisions. The frustrations that families experience is often increased by well meaning individuals who equate the child’s need for medication with their parenting skills. These attitudes are very archaic and they sadden me. You wouldn’t criticize a parent for putting glasses on their nearsighted child. Makes me question just who is nearsighted.

Each of us face challenges daily. The words that we say can never be taken back. We can encourage one another or say things that tear others down. I attended a Family Camp this past weekend. We were discussing teens and texting, Twittering…etc. I was reminded of a friend’s life verse: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14. How much better our world would be if we always sought to please Him?

- Colleen