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History

Bringing hope to individuals with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

For two days in October 2000, the officers and staff of Eucharistiana Center for Special Children and Learning Inn, worked incessantly to make sure that everything was running smoothly for the on-going First National Conference on AD/HD. The Project Director, Peter Mallonga, was particularly contented with the launching of the AD/HD Society of the Philippines, his brainchild and obsession for the past year when he and a group of associates - Rose Aligada of Learning Inn (who served as Asst. Project Director of the conference), Dr. Marie A. Lim of Child Development Center, and Dr. Stella G. Manalo of UP PGH-were conceptualizing the formation of the organization. They pushed for its creation because they firmly believed that only by empowering those who are most affected by the disorder - children/adults with AD/HD and their families - can the children's problems be addressed. Supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, the organization was finally and formally introduced, together with its first core-group members, on October 21, 2000 to the more than 250 participants of the conference.

The launching was the final step in a long process that involved a series of brainstorming, consultations, workshops and other meetings with different groups. A network of medical practitioners, therapists, educators and other professionals working with children were contracted for referrals for possible collaboration. Excited by the possibility of realizing a shared vision, many of them referred parents of the children with AD/HD in several areas in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal and the Cavite-Laguna area to discuss some of their concerns and to inform them about the conference. The results of the workshop discussions were later incorporated into the content of the conference as well as the vision-mission statement that was spearheaded by Ms. Desiree Ann B. Villaver, conference coordinator and assisted by the conference staff.

The members of the core-group, composed of Susana G. Pe, Marfina T. Teodoro, Carla Kalalo, Susan Martin, Marce Narcia, Criselle Cudiamat and others met during these workshops and were recognized as potential leaders. During the conference, representatives were elected by the body, and many of them became active members who continue the arduous tasks off slowly building the organization. Aside from the core-group members, some of the area representatives included: QC: Ditas T. Tuazon, Ditas Martelino, San Juan-Manadaluyong: Maite Ortigas, Gerry dela Serna and Bulacan-Novaliches: Dominic Aquitania. The officers were elected by the body with Mrs. Susana G. Pe As President. Soon after, a change in leadership was affected and Ms. Marfina T. Teodoro became the next head of the organization.

The Society was envisioned to be a venue for organized efforts by parents, professionals and concerned individuals in promoting the welfare of persons, particularly children with AD/HD. The organization identified priority areas that need to be addressed: 1) information campaign on AD/HD through media to make people aware and recognize that AD/HD is a disorder; 2) education and training, particularly among teachers and school administrators because many of the affected children are enrolled in schools and are discriminated upon; 3) local research on AD/HD; 4) strengthening support groups by expanding membership, and 5) establishing a support center for persons with AD/HD.

Among the first programs of the Society was the bi-weekly Support Group Meetings for parents and other persons who work with children with AD/HD to learn about the proper handling and management of the condition. For many parents, the support group meetings not only gave the condition a name, but also put them in touch with other parents who were either struggling with or were successfully managing the condition. Above everything else, the support group meetings gave parents access to various resources for understanding and managing ADH/HD.

Every two years, the Society organizes a national educational conference to address the concerns of AD/HD management. The conference brings together international and local experts on AD/HD to discuss different approaches to the treatment of the disorder.

Pursuant to its mission to improve public information about AD/HD, the Society regularly conducts a School Caravan. Launched on August 9, 2003, the program has reached more than 4,000 parents and teachers from 300 public and private schools in the National Capital Region (NCR). The program consists of two modules: an awareness program featuring a panel forum of doctors, parents, educators, and school administrators and a comprehensive teacher-training program on the instructional management of learners with AD/HD conducted by education specialists. The Society also publishes its newsletter quarterly. The Newsletter contains a report on the various activities conducted by the Society and interesting articles on AD/HD. Diagnostic clinics for indigent communities and family days are also regularly sponsored.

A major boost to the AD/HD Society's advocacy was the issuance of Presidential Proclamation No. 472 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on September18, 2003 as "National Attention Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) Week."

The AD/HD Society is headed by a Board of Directors whose members are elected by the general membership during its annual meetings. The Board of Directors elects its officer. Membership is open to all individuals and institutions who are concerned with improving the condition of individuals with AD/HD.