Being the parent of a child with attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (AD/HD) is not an easy thing on a daily basis. This is even more the case in our province since there are not many structures to help these children and their families.
In Fauvillers, Laurie Buchet learned of ADHD from her young son just three years ago. “The process of meetings with various professionals then began, explains the mother. But very quickly, I felt lost and helpless. I had a diagnosis but very few solutions and answers to my many questions. Medication was considered but I refused immediately, seeing this solution as a failure..
Laurie Buchet then began to do research and came across a support group organized by parents of ADHD children. But the non-profit organization in question is based in Brussels and no structure of this type exists anywhere else in the country.
The idea then came to him to develop such a tool in the province of Luxembourg. “Through searching, I came into contact with several mothers of ADHD children in the region, continues Laurie Buchet. We started meeting in June last year. Together, we share our experiences, our experiences and try to answer the many questions. It feels good to support each other, to be able to talk without being judged and to see that we are not alone in this situation.
These monthly meetings between parents always took place in the presence of their children. It is the area of Oisefagne (Fauvillers) which was chosen for these meetings. A place allowing children to let off steam while mothers can get together to chat and exchange ideas.
“We welcomed many new parents, eager to have urgent answers to their questions, continues Laurie Buchet. DDuring these exchanges, everyone brings their experience, their skills and their tools to try to help the other..
From May, similar meetings will be organized without children. In fact, many parents need to be alone, to breathe, to be able to express themselves freely.
“These meetings between adults will also provide answers to another phenomenon, explains the resident of Fauvillers. With the discovery of their child’s ADHD, parents are themselves diagnosed with ADHD, the disorder being very often hereditary. Many wives or husbands therefore find themselves with questions about their spouse, in addition to having to manage their child. Among the mothers present in our discussion group, several have ADHD. Hearing them share their experiences allows us to understand them better.”
The collective will also set up videoconference sessions in order to highlight local actors in the province who work remotely or closely with people with ADHD.
Laurie Buchet was always convinced that her son was different from the others. Always advanced compared to children his age, he also slept very little. “Now that he’s older, you have to constantly repeat things to him and the smallest details capture his attention, explains the mother. These are children who live life 1000% and who have no limits. At the beginning, several teachers we met described us as bad parents, blaming us completely”. It was the family’s attending physician who helped resolve the situation. “The first appointment with the neuropsychologist was a real relief, she explains. It’s important to break the first date barrier. Acting quickly and putting tools in place will provide relief to the entire family.”
Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity is a neurological disorder. Of genetic and neurobiological origin, this pathology is mainly found in children and evolves throughout life. It cannot be cured but will change depending on the compensatory strategies put in place. 5% of the population is affected by AD/HD. Three factors will help determine if a person suffers from this neurological disorder: attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The fundamental principle of diagnosing ADHD is that it is a clinical diagnosis. This means that it requires an exhaustive history based on the patient’s story told by him and his loved ones. There is no radiological examination, blood test result or other which, unlike hypertension, diabetes or a fracture, allows the diagnosis of attention disorder to be made.
Wednesday April 24: Online video with Thomas Étienne at 8 p.m.
Sunday April 28: ADHD parent-child meeting at Domaine d’Oisefagne (Fauvillers) at 10 a.m.
Wednesday 22 May : online: Free discussions on ADHD in adults
Wednesday May 29: Video online at 8 p.m. Your turn: Free discussions: tips and tricks from super parents for our hyper supers.
More information: Facebook page TDA/H Belgium Province Luxembourg or via [email protected]
