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Vital Signs

Educating Hispanic Parents About AD/HD

According to the 2003 National Survey of Children’s Health, more than 300,000 Hispanic children have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), a condition that can affect kids’ ability to learn successfully in school and perform other daily activities. To help Hispanic parents learn more about AD/HD symptoms and treatment, and determine if their child should be evaluated for AD/HD, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health offers a variety of helpful bilingual resources. These tools include an AD/HD fact sheet (available online at www.hispanichealth.org/healthfacts.lasso) and personalized assistance through the Alliance’s Su Familia National Hispanic Family Health Helpline (866-783-2645).

The Alliance has also published a new bilingual booklet, Educational Rights for Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD): A Primer for Parents. Developed in collaboration with the National Resource Center on AD/HD, the booklet explains the federally mandated policies and procedures that public schools must follow in order to provide education to children with disabilities, and how parents can become effective advocates to ensure their child gets the support services he or she needs. To obtain free copies, call the Su Familia helpline number listed above.