JAGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER Issue#12

Jagrithi

AIKYA Newsletter












April 2014








From the Director

Friends,
Let's learn more on ADHD in this issue which is the need
of the hour as this condition is on the increase now
among school going children.
ADHD is a neurological and behavioral disorder that
affects not only the person with it, but the entire family,
including parents and the extended family of parental
siblings and grandparents. It tests the limits of the
familys ability to be supportive, understanding and
loving.
Having a child with ADHD is the most difficult thing you
will ever have to deal with, because it never ends.
Every single day is an exercise in patience (or lack
thereof) and forgiveness (you trying to forgive yourself
for lack of patience!).
ADHD is real and valid. The sooner we recognize the
patterns and learn to work with these kids, the better
assured we will be that they as adults with be healthy
members of society. Teachers and education
administrators need to be the strongest advocates of
early intervention and support. Unfortunately, many of
them deny the existence of this ADHD and arent willing
to look at sound science that supports this.
Parvathy Vishwanath





Jagruthi


AIKYA Newsletter
June 2014
JAGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #12 2

ADHD
Raising happy, confident children who have ADHD.
Never worry alone. As a parent, you will worry. That's fine. But make your worrying productive, not toxic, by doing
it with someone else. Worry with an expert, another parent, your spouse, your child's teacher, the doctor, or any
other person you trust.
As much as you can about ADHD--from books, lectures, publications like this one, support groups, and other
reliable sources. Beware of the Internet! You may get unwanted and unproved "information."
Believe in the potential greatness of your child--and make sure he or she does, too. Adopt a strength-based
approach to ADHD. For sure, understand the challenges inherent in the condition, but understand that, with
proper, ongoing help, your child can become a champion.
Find the right doctor to oversee ADHD treatment. I've seen
too many kids in their teens who have fallen behind because
they did not have proper guidance and treatment early on.
Ask around. Talk to your paediatrician, teachers and others in
the know at school for recommendations about the best
experts in your area.
Do all you can to get your child into a school that "gets"
ADHD--and does not punish or humiliate students who have
it. Once you have chosen your school, make friends with your
child's teacher. They'll work harder for parents and students
they like than for those who treat them poorly.
Make sure your child gets lots of physical activity. Exercise
dramatically helps students with ADHD. If possible, make sure
your child takes a chance to get up and move around, at least
every hour.
Pay attention to sleep and nutrition, and consider having your child learn how to meditate. Yes, kids with ADHD
can meditate.
Take structure seriously. For every problem that arises, consider a new structure as a first solution. For example, if
getting up is tough for your child, buy a flying alarm clock. If remembering assignments is a problem, consider
working on a home-to-school-to-home notebook, with the teachers help. Have simple, consistent rules, so you
don't have to make them up every day.
Learn the facts about medication before you decide to use it. Stimulant medication, when used properly, is safe
and effective. Make sure your child feels comfortable about taking medication before he starts it.
Give your child daily dose of positive human contact, the "the other vitamin C," vitamin Connect. Many kids with
ADHD go through a day, even a week, without a friendly glance or encouraging word. Work to guarantee that your
child gets multiple doses of the other vitamin C every day.
JAGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #12

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADHD/ADD Fact Sheet
IS IT ADD? OR ADHD? WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
The difference is mainly one of terminology, which can be confusing at times. The "official" clinical diagnosis is Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or AD/HD. In turn, AD/HD is broken down into three different subtypes: Combined Type,
Predominantly Inattentive Type, and Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type.
Many people use the term ADD as a generic term for all types of AD/HD. The term ADD has gained popularity among the
general public, in the media, and is even commonly used among professionals. Whether we call it ADD or AD/HD, however,
we are all basically referring to the same thing.
WHO HAS AD/HD:
According to epidemiological data, approximately 4% to 6% of the U.S. population has ADHD. That is about 8 to 9 million
adults.
ADHD usually persists throughout a person's lifetime. It is NOT limited to children. Approximately one-half to two-thirds of
children with ADHD will continue to have significant problems with ADHD symptoms and behaviours as adults, which
impacts their lives on the job, within the family, and in social relationships.
DEFINITION OF AD/HD:
AD/HD is a diagnosis applied to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic behaviours over a period
of time. The most common core features include:
distractibility (poor sustained attention to tasks)
impulsivity (impaired impulse control and delay of gratification)
hyperactivity (excessive activity and physical restlessness)
In order to meet diagnostic criteria, these behaviours must be excessive, long-term, and pervasive. The behaviours must
appear before age 7, and continue for at least 6 months. A crucial consideration is that the behaviours must create a real
handicap in at least two areas of a person's life, such as school, home, work, or social settings. These criteria set ADHD
apart from the "normal" distractibility and impulsive behaviour of childhood, or the effects of the hectic and overstressed
lifestyle prevalent in our society.
According to the DSM-IV (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) some common
symptoms of ADHD include: often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes; often has difficulty
sustaining attention to tasks; often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly; often fails to follow instructions
carefully and completely; losing or forgetting important things; feeling restless, often fidgeting with hands or feet, or
squirming; running or climbing excessively; often talks excessively; often blurts out answers before hearing the whole
question; often has difficulty awaiting turn.
Please keep in mind that the exact nature and severity of AD/HD symptoms varies from person to person. Approximately
one-third of people with AD/HD do not have the hyperactive or overactive behaviour component, for example.



3
JAGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #12

WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS ABOUT THE CAUSES OF AD/HD
ADHD is NOT caused by poor parenting, family problems, poor teachers or schools, too much TV, food allergies, or excess
sugar. One early theory was that attention disorders were caused by minor head injuries or damage to the brain, and thus
for many years ADHD was called "minimal brain damage" or "minimal brain dysfunction." The vast majority of people with
ADHD have no history of head injury or evidence of brain damage, however. Another theory, which is still heard in the
media, is that refined sugar and food additives make children hyperactive and inattentive. Scientists at the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded that this may apply to only about 5 percent of children with ADHD, mostly either very
young children or children with food allergies.
ADHD IS very likely caused by biological factors which influence neurotransmitter activity in certain parts of the brain, and
which have a strong genetic basis. Studies at NIMH using a PET (positron emission tomography) scanner to observe the
brain at work have shown a link between a person's ability to pay continued attention and the level of activity in the brain.
Specifically researchers measured the level of glucose used by the areas of the brain that inhibit impulses and control
attention. In people with AD/HD, the brain areas that control attention used less glucose, indicating that they were less
active. It appears from this research that a lower level of activity in some parts of the brain may cause inattention and
other AD/HD symptoms.
There is a great deal of evidence that AD/HD
runs in families, which is suggestive of
genetic factors. If one person in a family is
diagnosed with AD/HD, there is a 25% to
35% probability that any other family
member also has AD/HD, compared to a 4%
to 6% probability for someone in the general
population.
TREATMENT OF AD/HD:
Clinical experience has shown that the most
effective treatment for AD/HD is a
combination of Early Intervention, therapy
or counselling to learn coping skills and
adaptive behaviours, and ADD coaching for
adults.
Medication is often used to help normalize
brain activity, as prescribed by a physician.
Stimulant medications are commonly used because they have been shown to be effective for few people with ADHD.
Behaviour therapy and cognitive therapy are often helpful to modify certain behaviours and to deal with the emotional effects
of AD/HD.
4

JAGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #12



















































.




Music Therapy


As the clock struck two, there was a wave of excitement and smiles on our childrens faces. Only that very
morning we had informed them about the shloka sessions which were to start from that day. They hadnt
forgotten about that in spite of their busy morning and were very enthusiastic to start their very first Shloka
class. They cleared the room and sat in neat rows with utmost sincerity waiting for their Shloka teacher.

The very moment he entered our class, our children greeted him and soon enough the session began. Our
children repeated Vishnu Sahasranamam after him with utmost seriousness. They repeated those difficult
mantras patiently till they were able to pronounce perfectly. The teachers of AIKYA also took part in this
session.

After about half an hour, he concluded the shloka session and began teaching the children small bhajans.
These fast numbered bhajans were thoroughly enjoyed by our children. They sang them a couple of times
and the session came to an end. Our children loved this session so much that they eagerly await their shloka
class every day.

5
5
JAGRITHI
AIKYA

JAGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #12


Computer Classes

Computers are the key to survival in todays technology
driven world. AIKYA very well understands this and gives
great importance to giving wholesome exposure and
education to its students. Right from the age of ten to
late twenties, various computer classes are held. Our
teacher Mr.Kannan has been teaching our children
computer science for many years now. For students with
moderate disability WORD and EXCEL are taught. As a
part of advanced classes even accounts are taught to
students in EXCEL. Vinu Krishna, a student of AIKYA says
that he loves his computer classes and tries not to miss
even a single one.

Several students have been greatly benefited by these
classes. This equips them with the skill set required to
make them employable in mainstream. Several of our
students are employed in different companies as data
entry operators.








Vocational Training Programme

Keeping special children occupied is one of the biggest
challenges. In order to improve their focus and
concentration AIKYA conducts vocational training
sessions. In these sessions the children are taught to
make various items. They are taught to make paper
bags, greeting cards, chains and bracelets. Our children
very much enjoy making these items. Vocational
Training Programme of AIKYA prepares students for
learning skills that are necessary to pursue an
occupation. Training is designed to help our
intellectually challenged young adults for gainful
employment.
These items are sold at our school and at stalls that are
put at exhibitions and other social gatherings. Please
contact us to get more information on these items.





6


JAGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #12

A walk in the park

It was a sunny afternoon. The children had just
finished their lunch. There were smiling at each other
in a naughty matter and within no time I understood
that they were up to something. Slowly a group of
children approached me and asked me hesitantly and
shyly if they could go to the park. I asked them the
name of the park and where it was. They gestured by
pointing in the direction of the park and said
Nageshwar Rao park, its right here miss and smiled
at me. After we decided to go to the park, these
children were jumping with joy. Two of them took
their water bottles and filled it with water up to the
brim while a few took balls and frisbees to play at the
park. They quickly held hands with each other and
were standing in pairs waiting for me and Mrs. Manju
to escort them out. We headed out of AIKYA and
started walking towards the park and reached a
junction that needed to be crossed. These children
held my hands and Mrs.Manjus and waited patiently
for our instruction as to when to cross the road. The
second we crossed the road and entered the
premises of the park the children left our hands and
walked ahead of us as they knew the park at the back
of their hand. Confidently and gleefully they headed
to the play pen.

A few started playing with the ball while the other played in
the see-saw, slide and swings. Sometimes when a game
they wanted to play was unavailable, they formed a queue
near it and waited patiently for their turn. We even
conducted some games like running race and hopping race
which the children loved. It was around 2 P.M and the sun
was at its peak. Mrs.Manju and I were getting tired merely
standing there but these children were running around and
seemed to be completely unaffected by the heat. An hour
went by and it was time to head back to the school. They
again assumed their positions and stood in pairs and quickly
checked if they had taken what they had brought from the
school to the park. We reached the school in five minutes
and the children immediately went and washed themselves
up. They seemed famished and started eating their snacks
as it was their break time. Soon enough a discussion began
to decide the timing for their next visit to the park. It was
absolute treat to watch these children play and have fun. It
sure was a wonderful and playful day at AIKYA.





















5
7
JAGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #12





Jagruthi







About AIKYA

AIKYA aims to Improve and enhance functional capabilities of persons with special
needs like Autism, ADHD, DS and other Learning Disorders. .

Early Intervention Programs for Children with delayed development (0-3
Years)

School for children with ADHD, Autism, DS, Learning Disabilities and Slow
learners
Therapy services

Vocational training

Training in sports, music, dance, yoga, instrumental music

Training in computers

Recreation Centre with indoor sports and GYM
Work Centre for adults
Training and counselling for parents of children with special needs
Short term training courses for parents and volunteers
-----------------------------
Do you want to volunteer with AIKYA?

Please call 9444960643 or mail to AIKYAfoundation1989@gmail.com













Where are we located?

2/9, Karpagambal Nagar Main Road,

Luz, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004 ; Mobile: 9444960643 Support
us : Volunteer / Donate / adopt a project / adopt a child Visit our
Website: www.AIKYA.org
Connect with us: https://www.facebook.com/AIKYAcentre
https://twitter.com/AIKYACentre
http://aikyas.blogspot.in/


Please Donate: http://www.AIKYA.org/payment.asp
8
ADHD - Attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder
is a psychiatric disorder
in which there are
significant problems of
attention, hyperactivity,
or acting impulsively
that are not appropriate
for a person's age. These
symptoms must begin
by age six to twelve and
be present for more
than six months for a
diagnosis to be made.






Myths about ADHD:
1. Myth: ADHD isnt a real
disorder
2. Myth: Information
overload causes adult
ADHD
3. Myth: Children with
ADHD outgrow the problem
by adulthood
4. Myth: People with
ADHD dont need
treatmentthey just need to
get organized
5. Myth: ADHD
Medications are dangerous
and addictive