THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 19, 1995 TAG: 9503160190
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CURRITUCK LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
DIANE KNOX'S voice still trembles when she recalls her son coming home from school last February.
The first-grader got off the bus, walked into his mother's office and sat in her lap, recounting the highlights of his day. Tears welled in his mother's eyes.
``It was the first conversation I'd ever had with my child'' because never before had he sat still long enough to talk about anything, recalled Knox, public relations director for Currituck County Schools.
It was also the family's first experience with the drug Ritalin, which her son, Stephen, continues to take for a childhood disorder marked by hyperactivity and short attention spans.
Sharon Vaughan of Moyock also is struggling to raise a child with a form of Attention Deficit Disorder Together she and Knox are starting a support group for parents with ADD children.
An organizational meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 12 at Central Elementary School. It is open to residents in or around Currituck County.
``It's a baby, and we really don't know what to expect. We don't know what kind of response we're going to get,'' Vaughan said.
``I think there are people out there. And I realize this is still something that's kind of new.''
Attention Deficient Disorders affect up to 5 percent of American children, though experts suspect up to 50 percent of children with the neurobiological disability are never properly diagnosed, according to a 1993 report prepared by the national group Children With Attention Deficit Disorders.
ADD children are often characterized as restless and impulsive. They can be belligerent, aggressive and depressed. And they can't concentrate on one thing for long, unless it interests them.
These pupils also frequently have trouble in school, both with grades and peers.
Vaughan recalls her 15-year-old son's early school years. ``He's always been the kind of child where trouble has always found him. He could be perfectly innocent, but he would always be involved.
``He didn't get invited to birthday parties. He didn't get invited to friends' houses because nobody took the time to find out about him. Because everybody thought of him as the child who got in trouble in class.''
Both women said they grew increasingly upset at their inability to teach their child appropriate behavior.
One day Vaughan came across a magazine article on ADD and noticed her son, Matt, fit the pattern. The family took him to a child adolescent neurologist in Norfolk, and test results confirmed their suspicions.
The doctor prescribed the drug Ritalin, a common and controversial psychostimulant often given to children with the disorder.
``I was real apprehensive about that because I didn't want to drug my child, but I was real open at this point,'' Vaughan said of the incident five years ago.
Knox also wrestled with Ritalin, convinced to administer it only after a physician said that Stephen could face a troubled life as an adult if he were left untreated.
``I'm not saying that's what everyone needs,'' she said. ``But for my son, Ritalin has made a major, major difference - for the better.''
Some possible side effects of Ritalin include anorexia, insomnia and stunted growth. Agitation and irritability are two others.
``I still feel funny giving him the drug,'' Knox said. That's why Stephen, now 8, usually doesn't take it on weekends. ``I still feel the pangs of sorrow that I don't want to do this.''
The cause of ADD, both with and without hyperactivity, is still a mystery. Some medical experts believe the chemical imbalance may result from pregnancy and birth complications or disease and trauma to the central nervous system.
Other scientists are investigating links with genetics, allergies and lead exposure.
Parents with ADD children are often referred to Vaughan through the public school system or county library. It was based on the increased demand that she and Knox decided to put together the support group.
Goals for the group will be decided at the first meeting, but the two women hope to have members trade testimonials and swap information. Future guest speakers will address different aspects of the disorder.
``We have lots of stories to share. Lots of frustration to share,'' Vaughan said. ``I personally do not want this to be a school-bashing session because they are learning, too.''
Already the two are thinking ahead.
``I think it would be great, while the parents are meeting, to have a support group for the kids. And then, maybe we could have a support group for siblings,'' Knox said.
``If you can help one or two people,'' Vaughan said, ``then it's worth everything we've done.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Diane Knox, public relations director for Currituck County Schools,
decided to give son Stephen, 8, Ritalin on a doctor's advice.
ABOUT THE GROUP
A support group for parents of children with Attention Deficit
Disorder is being formed.
An organizational meeting will be held 7 p.m. April 12 at Central
Elementary School in Maple.
The group is open to parents from Currituck County schools, as
well as schools from surrounding counties.
For more information, call Diane Knox at 232-3589.
by CNB