October is ADHD Awareness Month (By Dr. Karen MacMillan) ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) impacts approximately 5-10% of the population and is most commonly caused by heredity. A quick internet search of the topic demonstrates that ADHD is a highly misunderstood disorder in the eyes of the general public. In public forums speculation abounds about whether the disorder exists and the appropriateness of established treatment methods, such as medication. Although our complete understanding of the disorder continues to evolve, it is important to know that ADHD has been identified within the medical community under various terms for more than 100 years! ADHD is not a problem of intelligence or bad behaviour, rather, it is more specifically related to an individual’s inconsistent ability to control their focus, attention, and effort towards their goals. ADHD can have a wide-range of impacts on an individual’s social, emotional, and cognitive functioning throughout their lives, which can affect them in the workplace, educational settings, and in relationships. The Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada (CADDAC ) is having their annual conference in Calgary this month, and Foothills Academy is excited to host. The conference speakers include a variety of knowledgeable professionals, including prominent author Dr. Thomas Brown . The sessions have been created for individuals and families dealing with ADHD, as well as for professionals who want to learn more about how to support them. ADHD is a disorder that can be very stressful on a daily basis in homes, classrooms, and the workplace. Properly addressing the disorder requires good quality information on the topic, so I sincerely hope you can join us on October 14th & 15th! Do you want to know more about the conference or want to register? Click here. Karen MacMillan, PhD, R. Psych Executive Co-Director, Foothills Academy (and a member of the CADDAC Board of Directors)

Thomas E. Brown Coming to CADDAC conference in Calgary If you're not familiar with Dr. Thomas E. Brown, here's a video that he did for Understood.org about ADHD. He's also written a number of books that are essential reading about ADHD and Executive Functioning .

The Impact of ADHD on Learning Thursday, October 12, 2017 6:30 -9:00 pm at Foothills Academy Have you wondered why children with ADHD struggle in the school environment? While ADHD is not a learning disability ADHD can significantly impact a student’s ability to learn and impair their academic achievement. Research on general academic outcomes will be reviewed during this presentation as well as the impact of ADHD symptoms on classroom functioning, typical presentations of ADHD symptoms seen in the classroom and some that may be commonly overlooked will be covered. Typical executive functioning impairments and other cognitive deficits will be discussed in detail. Key elements to assisting your child find success at school will also be covered.  Come to this free session presented by the President & ED of CADDAC on Thursday, October 12th presented by Alberta Health Services & CADDAC at Foothills Academy. Registration is through the CES website.

Parent Workshop: Tuesday, Oct. 17th 25 Things Kids with ADHD Wish Their Parents Knew Most parents of kids and adolescents who have ADHD try very hard to be compassionate and understanding of the nature of ADHD and its various effects on behaviour, mood, academic performance, and so on. What we can all forget, sometimes, is that somewhere in there is a kid who understands ADHD better than anyone else. This presentation is based on hundreds of conversations with kids with ADHD and their response to the basic – but critically important – question “What do you wish others knew about you and your ADHD?” Using their own words is a great place to engage in truly understanding the condition and developing more effective ways to work with kids, adolescents, and young adults who have ADHD while also framing the symptoms in a much more positive manner, so the focus is on strengths as opposed to focusing on the negative effects of ADHD. Strategies developed in collaboration with kids with ADHD will also be discussed. Presenter: Dr. Brent MacDonald, Ph.D. (Registered Psychologist) Click here for more details.

October is LD Awareness Month Too! Dyslexia and the Brain Here's an interesting video explaining the differences in the brain of someone with a reading LD compared to someone without an LD.

Amicus Recreation Fall Programs Space Still Available in Creative Expressions Our fall Amicus Recreation programs are well underway. We still have space for a few more people to join us for Creative Expressions Saturday mornings starting on October 28th. Participants will release their inner artist with music, art, clay, large murals and fine art activities. Click here for more details or if you want to begin registration, email Anna Mason or call 403.270.9400 ext. 252. Winter Amicus Recreation programs will be available for registration starting in November.

Additional Ongoing Programs & Services Read/Write & Math Individual Instruction Psycho-educational Assessments Individual or Family Counselling Online Study Skills Workshop

TEACHERS' CORNER

Foothills Academy Professional Development Workshops Did you know that Foothills Academy Society offers professional development workshops that can be booked for your school, conference or another occasion?  Our Professional Development Workshops and Training focus on strategies and programs that have been proven successful within our school. Although our focus is assisting individuals with Learning Disabilities, the ultimate goal is to assist and support staff in meeting the diverse needs of all learners. For more information, check out all the workshops that are available.

Inside Learning Disabilities: For Professionals Coming in January! Get ready for the launch of our updated online course for Educators and other professionals which will begin January 18th. Inside Learning Disabilities for Professionals  will take you inside the world of Learning Disabilities (LDs) at school: from facts and diagnosis to co-occurring conditions and LD strategies for the student and the classroom. It has been designed for professionals to increase your understanding and familiarity of LDs, the impact LDs can have on academics, behaviour, and well-being; and the evidence-based strategies and tools to increase student success and your success as a professional. The content of the course will include: Introduction to Learning Disabilities Examination of Specific Learning Disabilities The relationship between Learning Disabilities and executive functioning The impact that Learning Disabilities can have on social/emotional functioning Strategies for instruction and assessment The disorders that frequently co-occur with Learning Disabilities (i.e., Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, depression, anxiety, etc.) Planning for Learning Disabilities at school Setting students up for success (e.g., transitions, planning, etc.) For more information, click here.

Join Us for Fall Funtasia - Nov. 3rd Buy Your Tickets by Oct. 9th and be entered into the Early Bird Draw!  The 33rd Annual Fall Funtasia is taking place on Friday, Nov. 3rd at Hotel Arts. Tickets are on sale now through Eventbrite . All tickets purchased by midnight Monday, Oct. 9th will be entered into a draw to win our Gala Pamper Package which includes a one night's stay at Hotel Arts (2 people), breakfast buffet the next morning at the Yellow Door Bistro, valet parking and more! This fun evening event will help children and adults with Learning Disabilities and ADHD reach their full potential by helping them to access specialized programs and services. All net proceeds will be directed to the Foothills’ Academy Society Bursary Fund to ensure that a family’s financial circumstances are not a barrier to accessing the programs that they need. Sponsorship opportunities are available . Contact  Jan Haggeman  for more information.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND LINKS

ADHD Conference - October 14 & 15 In just over a month's time, the annual CADDAC conference will take place in Calgary on October 14 & 15 at Foothills Academy. There are lots of great speakers including Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D. who has just released a new book called Outside the Box: Rethinking ADD/ADHD in Children and Adults . Other speakers include Foothills' own Tanya Keto plus other local experts.

Workshops & Educational Opportunities Community Education Service (Alberta Health Services)   has upcoming  free workshops  on topics of interest related to LD, ADHD and related disorders. Some workshops are available online on-demand. CADDAC online ADHD webinars  Past webinars are archived and available on demand. Topics include Emotional Regulation and the use of the ABC Chart, ADHD in the home, Parenting and Behavioural Strategies   and more. Webinars are $10 each or free with a CADDAC membership. Information Resource Links Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada (CADDAC) National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) Understood.org Childmind.org ADHDfamilies.ca Learning Disabilities Association of Canada Spring 2017 Newsletter Support Groups ADDults Calgary Support Group: A Support group for adults in Calgary with ADHD and/or their spouses. Meets the last Wednesday of the month (excl. July & August Cochrane Parent Support Group - FOCUS for Attention ADHD Links Calgary - Jamie Gelfand (ggelfand@shaw.ca or 403-253-2988) or Katie McCumm (kmccunn@shaw.ca or 403-278-5182) FOCUS for Attention: Sept 12, Oct 3, Nov 7, Dec 5, from 7 - 9 pm Free support group offered through North Central Family Support Program held at the Huntington Hills Community Centre. Registration is required. Call 403.275-6668 ext. 232. For more information, contact Lorraine at lorraine@weconnectyou.ca.

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