OGDEN -- Parents of children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder struggle at times to help their children cope with their difficulties.
That's why Weber and Ogden school districts, as well as several ADHD support organizations, are working together to offer resources for parents.
One of those resources starts today with a seven-week class to help parents learn different strategies of parenting a child with ADHD.
The course, "Parent to Parent: Family Training on ADHD," is in its seventh year and is taught by professionals who volunteer their time each Tuesday evening for seven weeks to teach on a variety of subjects, including an overview of ADHD, parenting strategies, working with schools and parenting teens with ADHD.
Also used is a comprehensive course book, which parents will keep for future reference. Cost of the class is $60 per couple ($50 for members of Children and Adults with ADHD, or CHADD).
Edward Williams, a counselor in Weber School District, has worked with the course since its beginning and said it is a valuable source of education for parents.
He especially likes the course book that comes with the class.
"There are articles there that I haven't seen anywhere else," Williams said.
Williams himself has ADHD, as do his five children, so he has spent much of his career learning more about the subject and educating others.
He remembers when schools and counselors started meeting to address the ADHD mystery 27 years ago, when it was decided the issue needed to be addressed in schools and students with ADHD needed special care and attention.
Williams said other classes are offered in the community, but this course, taught in January, February and September, is one of the most comprehensive classes parents can take.
He has noticed that some parents whose children have not been diagnosed with ADHD but who think their child may have it attend the course and then have more skills to recognize when the problem becomes worse and they need to intervene.
Williams said a free class is taught through Intermountain Healthcare every other month to help parents whose children are taking medication for ADHD.
He has heard from parents how much easier it is to cope with basic everyday trials with their children after taking classes.
"It gives you all kinds of tools on how to deal with these things," Williams said. "Knowledge is power when it comes to ADHD."
He remembers one parent telling him they thought their child was behaving a certain way just to bug his parents, but after learning more about ADHD, they found the reasons for the behavior to be totally different.
To register for the course, call Renae at Weber School District, 801-452-4589. Limited scholarships are also available for the course.
Learn more about ADHD
* Fact vs. myth on ADHD
This free, single-session class on ADHD addresses many of the issues that concern people when they find that they, or their child, have ADHD. It will be held in the Education Center at McKay-Dee Hospital (south end of the first floor), Room 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 27, March 24 and May 26. The classes are taught by Edward Williams, MEd. Preregistration Kathy Chatelain, 801-387-3740, is mandatory.
* Parent to Parent: Family Training on ADHD
This seven-session class goes into detail on the many facets of ADHD. Classes are taught by experienced professionals with a background in ADHD. Classes run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., except the first, which starts 15 minutes earlier, and they run the same day of the week for seven consecutive weeks.
The $60 ($50 for CHADD members) charge for the series covers the cost of the materials. Limited scholarships are available based on financial need. Educators can earn one credit toward lane change and recertification, and other professionals may earn hours toward their continuing education. Preregister with Renae at 801-452-4256.
* Jan. 11-Feb. 22, Ben Lomond High School, Faculty Room, 800 Jackson Ave., Ogden
* Feb. 10-March 24, Roy High School, Media Center, 2150 W. 4800 South
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