Friday, September 11, 2009

TEN Networking Night: A Talk on ADD/ADHD

A way of rejuvenating one's passion for teaching and unwinding from a very hectic schedule, I attended last night's networking event of Thailand Educators Network (TEN) held at Roadhouse Barbecue in Surawong Road. It's good to meet fellow educators of different cultural backgrounds, interests, and fields of expertise and exchange ideas on different issues related to education. As we took pleasure of each one's favorite drinks and a variety of snacks, a casual chat flourished the cozy atmosphere.

A talk from Ms. Maxine Ping of Acorns to Oaks Children's Center on "Understanding ADD Minuses" started the event last night. Maxine justified her intent of helping educators understand ADD/ADHD in more detail so that teachers would be able to distinguish ADD/ADHD from just a bit of being hyperactive by giving an overview of the learning deficiency. It was followed by putting into the picture the symptoms, diagnosis and how the students, friends siblings and parents can deal with related stress and its management.

What is interesting in Maxine's talk was the examination of practical solutions and the possibility of turning a learning disorder into a skill. She even cited famous people who belong to the ADHD Hall of Fame which include Thomas Alba Edison, Benjamin Franklin and Ernest Hemingway. Teaching a mainstream class with some students diagnosed to have learning disorders, Maxine's talk enlightened me on how to handle these students better. Remarkably, children with ADHD should be given extra help for they are not far away from achieving success in life.

TEN conducts monthly networking event every tenth of the month at Roadhouse Barbecue. To keep an update of their coming events, visit TEN's website.

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