Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that becomes apparent in some children in the preschool and early school years when they sometimes struggle to control their behavior and/or pay attention. It is estimated that between three and five percent of children have ADHD, or approximately two million children in the United States. In a classroom of 25 to 30 children, at least one will have ADHD.
Psychological Services of Saint Anthony's Health Center is offering an educational support group for parents of children with ADHD, concurrently occurring while the children are participating in their own educational group.
Facilitated by Shannon Baugher, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, the parenting group is open to any parent, regardless if their child has been formally diagnosed with ADHD and is geared towards parents whose children are between the ages of five and 12.
 | Shannon Baugher, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, and Stacey Beisel, M.S., Licensed Professional Counselor, discuss educational and parenting options with a parent of an ADHD child. |
“The group will be 50 percent education and 50 percent support group,” said Dr. Baugher. “We will provide education on ADHD, tips for managing schedules, effective discipline, tips for working with your child’s school system, as well as providing support from individuals who share your experience.”
Experts recommend parent education to help family members accept the diagnosis and to teach them how to help their child organize his or her environment, develop problem-solving skills and cope with frustrations. Parent training can also teach parents to respond appropriately to their child’s most trying behaviors and to use calm disciplining techniques.
The support group will help parents connect with other people who have similar problems and concerns about their children with ADHD. The six-week session will allow for parents to have strength in numbers as they get to know each other and share their experiences and problems.
“We do a lot of ADHD assessments,” said Dr. Baugher. “However, some of those parents/children we never see again. It seems that parents do not know where to go to get help for their child or where to find the proper tools for them to help their children. Our goal is to improve the ability of parents to work with their child’s disorder and help them develop the parenting skills needed to make life with ADHD easier.”
While parents are attending the parenting group, Stacey Beisel, M.S., Licensed Professional Counselor, will work with the children with ADHD or those who have signs of ADHD. Children with ADHD act impulsively, are hyperactive and have trouble focusing, they may understand what’s expected of them but have trouble following through because they can not sit still, pay attention or attend to details.
“This program is designed to help each child deal with their ADHD,” said Stacey. “We will help children improve their self esteem and self management of behaviors, such as staying on task and complying with requests while participating in fun and educational activities.”
The groups will meet once a week, simultaneously for six weeks. Parents do not have to bring their child to attend the parenting group. Because the program uses a group therapy module, most insurances and Illinois Medicaid will cover most or all of the cost for the six-week education course. Please call Dr. Shannon Baugher at 463-5442 or Stacey Beisel, M.S. at 474-6244 for information regarding upcoming sessions.