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Press Release: June 1, 2006

Landover, MD --- The National Resource Center on AD/HD, a CDC-funded program of the patient advocacy group Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance) released today a free bilingual booklet, Educational Rights for Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Primer for Parents. The booklet is a joint publication by the two organizations to increase the availability of information about laws protecting educational rights of eligible children with AD/HD. This new publication will serve as an important tool for Hispanic/Latino parents of children with AD/HD to ensure free appropriate public education (FAPE) for their children.

"Hispanic children with AD/HD have unique needs," said Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, president and CEO of the Alliance. "Our hope is that this guide will help Hispanic parents face the challenges they meet when their children are diagnosed with AD/HD and who may be eligible for services in the public school system." According to the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), 7.8 percent of children ages four to 17 have a history of AD/HD; that figure correlates with the national incidence of the neurobiological disorder. Typically, symptoms of AD/HD arise in early childhood, although the disorder may not be diagnosed until later.
 
The 52-page Spanish/English booklet guides parents through the process of identifying the disorder for their children, and understanding federal laws that assure specialized education and related services for eligible children with AD/HD.  Written in a question and answer format, the booklet responds to the most frequently asked questions parents have about AD/HD and includes case studies, a flow chart illustrating the step-by-step process to evaluate a child for especial education services, a list of available resources, and a glossary.

"Developing informational materials in English and Spanish is a critical part of our outreach efforts to the Latino community and we're pleased to have this opportunity to partner with the Alliance on this important publication," said Phyllis Anne Teeter Ellison, PhD, president of CHADD. "It’s CHADD’s responsibility to ensure information about the diagnosis and treatment of AD/HD is available to everyone affected by the disorder, especially in terms of educating our children."

Publication of the Primer was made possible by a cooperative grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which funds the National Resource Center on AD/HD (NRC) through CHADD.  Single free copies of the guide are available on request by calling the NRC at 1-800-233-4050 or the Alliance's Su-Familia Helpline at 1-866-783-2654.

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (NAHH)

The National Alliance for Hispanic Health is the nation's oldest and largest network of Hispanic health professionals. The nation's action forum for Hispanic health, Alliance members deliver services to over 12 million persons every year, making a daily difference in the lives of Hispanic communities. For more information, visit the Alliance's website (www.hispanichealth.org) or call 1-866-SU-FAMILIA (1-866-783-2645).

About CHADD

CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the nation’s leading non-profit organization serving individuals with AD/HD and their families. CHADD has more than 14,000 members in 200 local affiliates throughout the U.S. Local CHADD groups offer support for individuals, parents, teachers, professionals ad others. For more information on the National Resource Center on AD/HD, visit the Center's site at www.help4adhd.org  or call 1-800-233-4050.