Re: ADD Behavior etc.

Ian and all,

Take it easy Ian, we are all here to learn and share our experiences in
an effort to improve ourselves and our groups. If we all "know it all"
or were all perfect there would not be much need for the group other than
for mutual admiration perhaps.

Often times people will write comments here out of frustation because they
know others here have been through the same thing. Sometimes I suspect it
is a way of saying I do not know how to handle this without coming right
out with the words. Start a discussion and see where it leads so as not
to flavor the discussion. Other times people are just not up to speed.
This is understandable. If you have not been around something or someone,
studied it, etc. it is unlikey you would be sensitive to it other than
through common sense. To many people a boy or girl suffering from ADD may
seem like a rotten kid. Then it is time for those in the group more
knowledgeable to provide information, understanding and set us on the
right path.

I have encountered two children so far who have ADD. Neither has been in
my Pack. One was a friend of my son and the other attends the same music
school as my son. The first boy was very difficult to deal with and was
put on Ritalin by his parents. The second I only have to deal with for
an hour at the school and I learned how to get him to sit still somewhat
and to deal with him without getting angry. It was not easy. Heck, it
is not easy to deal with any kid for that matter when they do not want to
do what you want them to!

I want to thank you and the other posters for enlightening us on ADD. I
know it is real and I know it is a difficult problem.

I would like to make one point though. Parents of kids with any problem
or disorder have to make a bit bigger commitment then most when their
kids are involved in Scouting. While I agree with you that we should all
know how to deal with kid's problems we can not devote too much time to
any one child. This is where the difficulty lies. I signed on to be a
Cubmaster; not a babysitter, doctor or child psychologist. I want to be
fair and knowledgeable and do the best job I can but, no one can be all
things to all people. I treat my boys with respect, listen to them and
try to do my best for them.

Yours in Scouting, Jess

Jess Olonoff, CM Pack-206 | Eagle - 1970, T-10 Tulsa, Okla.
Riverglades Elem. - Parkland, Fla. | Ta-Tsu-Hwa - Ordeal '69, Brthrhd '70
Lighthouse Dstrct - S. Fl. Council | Scout in NYC-Brooklyn 61-66, Tulsa 66-71
"We just might all be right!" | Boca Raton 73-74, Parkland 94-?

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