Vol. 7• Issue 1

Download the Spring 2003 Newsletter in PDF format. If you don't have the free Acrobat Reader you can get it here.

InFocus - Spring, 2003

• Dr. Ibis Glass Introduces Testing and Case Management
• Save the Date!
• From the Executive Director
• Russell Barkley Shares Expertise with Over Five-Hundred at LMC’s Annual Conference
• Board and Staff Pay Tribute to Founder Kitty McEaddy
• Meet LMC’s New 2003 Board Members
• Learning How to Learn: A Messy and Active Process
• 2002 Gifts to LifeManagement Center
• News About Strattera
  

Dr. Ibis Glass Introduces Testing and Case Management

Dr. Ibis Glass

LifeManagement Center is pleased to introduce our newest staff member, Ibis Glass.

Dr. Glass received a doctorate in education in 1988 from Rutgers University and an M.A. in behavioral disorders from Teachers College, Columbia University. She also received training in counseling psychology from Seton Hall University. Dr. Glass was a staff member of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and an instructor at the Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University. She taught the learning disabilities sequence and trained learning consultants. Dr. Glass developed and delivered to various school districts and private schools, workshops in Learning Strategies, School-based Behavior Management, Stress Management, and Renzulli Model for Gifted and Talent and Inclusion.

Her work at LMC includes educational testing, program development, tutor training and informational workshops for parents and teachers.

Thanks to Dr. Glass’ extensive experience and education, she has developed two new programs which LMC is pleased to offer the Charleston community: Educational Evaluations and “Complete Care,” a case management approach to service delivery.

Educational Evaluations measure overall intellectual ability as well as achievement, modality processing and attention. Each assessment is a four to five hour exploration of the factors that enhance or interfere with optimal achievement in an academic setting. The assessment report identifies learning disabilities and/or attention difficulties and provides a remedial plan for use by a client’s physician, school and family.

“Complete Care” is a case management system that is designed to help families navigate the challenges of ADHD/LD. The “Complete Care” plan begins with an initial consultation in which critical information is gathered and a proposal written for review by the client. The proposal may recommend educational testing and a series of follow- up consults. It may also include school visits and/or referral for other professional services. The plan may recommend parent education and provide additional sources. The plan is designed to maximize follow-through on the part of the parent or adult and thereby increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. It is designed to be a team approach, that includes physician, family, school, counselor and others.

We hope you will enjoy Dr. Glass’ “Learning How to Learn” article in this issue of InFocus. We are extremely pleased to have Dr. Glass as part of LMC’s staff.

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SAVE THE DATE! November 10, 2003; 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Special Education Expert Rick Lavoie, M.A., M.Ed. LifeManagement Center’s 8th Annual Conference at the Citadel’s Holliday Alumni Center Topics will include: • The Key to Effective Behavior Management • Motivating Reluctant Learners • Strategies that do and don’t work with Learning Disabled Children. Call LifeManagement Center at 577-2277 for further information. Registration materials will be mailed in late spring.

Board and Staff Pay Tribute to Founder Kitty McEaddy Kitty McEaddy and Bob Kunes   LifeManagement Center Board Members, staff and friends of Kitty Tilghman McEaddy gathered on December 10 to recognize Kitty’s retirement as President of the Board and to thank her for her untiring work on behalf of children and adults who learn differently. At the Annual Meeting of LifeManagement Center John Saalfield, Fundraising Chairman, surprised Kitty with the announcement that over $4,000 had been contributed in her honor to the Kitty Tilghman McEaddy Scholarship Fund at LMC. Contributors included Board members and staff, Kitty’s friends and family and LifeManagement Center speakers Ned Hallowell, Robert Brooks and Russell Barkley. Scholarship funds are used to defray the expenses of tutoring and testing for families who cannot pay for services. New Board Chairman, Bob Kunes, provided Kitty with another surprise when he announced a board resolution that named her “Chairman Emeritus” of LifeManagement Center, a position that will keep Kitty with us as a permanent member of LMC’s Executive Committee. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Kitty for her marvelous work and wish her happiness as she assumes a new and important role with LifeManagement Center! LMC Welcomes New Coordinator of Tutoring Colleen Tully joined the staff of LMC in December and serves as our Coordinator of Tutoring and Coaching. Colleen brings with her a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland and a wealth of experience. She moved to Charleston last summer from Maryland where she was a full-time teacher at Frederick County’s alternative school. Colleen taught sixth, seventh and eighth grade language arts and social studies to students with behavior problems and/or learning differences. She also served as Chairperson of the English Department, prepared and conducted workshops for staff development and was responsible for training and mentoring new English teachers. Colleen has also taught tenth and eleventh grade English, directed after-school programs, assisted in pre-kindergarten classes and given tennis lessons. She enjoys working with children of all ages and is very excited to be a part of LifeManagement Center.

Meet LMC’s New 2003 Board Members Eight outstanding individuals were elected to LifeManagement Center’s Corporate and Advisory Boards at the annual meeting of the corporation in December 2002. They are: Corporate Board Members Julius J. Anderson, Jr., B.A. Anderson Insurance Associates, LLC; S.C. Independent Agents; Broker of S.C. & America; Trustee, Limestone College   Maxine Smith, Ed.D. Director, Burke Community School; President, Maximum Consulting Services; Board of Trustees, Ashley Hall; National Community Education Association   Janice D. Waring, M.A.T. Secretary, Governors School of the Arts Foundation Board; Past President of the Board, Carolina Art Association at the Gibbes Museum of Art       Advisory Board Members   Sally M. Coen, B.A. Board, Children’s Museum of the Low Country; Governor’s Mansion Foundation; Community Volunteer   D. Scott Cutting, Ph.D. American Psychological Association; NC Psychological Association   Rhonwyn V. Huff, M.A.T. Community Volunteer; President, Charleston Day School Parents Council   James E. Mobley, Ed.S. Headmaster, Mason Preparatory School   Laura Rames, M.D. Private Practice, Psychiatry; V.P. SC Psychiatric Association

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Learning How to Learn: A Messy and Active Process
by Dr. Ibis Glass

Parents take the role of preparing their children for their place in the world quite seriously. Sometimes the scope of this role overwhelms parents. Rightfully so, the informal and formal education of our children is of utmost importance. And, not surprisingly, it is the center of much controversy. Are we giving our children too much stimulation or not enough? Are we giving them too much responsibility or not enough? Do we talk to them enough? Do we give them enough of our time? Too much, too little, too soon, too late. One thing is certain, not much is certain. So what does make sense? How do parents ensure that their children become good learners?

Relax
Many experts have expounded and expanded on what it takes to provide the best environment for learning. And for certain, there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when discussing the “optimum” environment for learning. But few would argue about the importance of parents in this process. Relax—living with and loving your children sets the stage for continuous learning; it is built into the survival of the species.

Parents prime the pump for the learning process
Parents are the primary models for thinking and discovery. They set the foundation for learning. Is this a formal process? Absolutely not, it is a living process. Parents can communicate, in the best sense, that learning and living are one. How? Here are some tips:

Learning is not about perfection.
Learning is messy. It is full of trial and error. Try learning something new with your child. Show by example that it takes thought, effort and patience to learn. Show your frustration, along with your enjoyment. Take pleasure in the process. If you can help your child develop this attitude towards learning, it will be a lifelong bonus. Interestingly enough, children start out with this attitude. Work with your child to maintain it. If your child is not enthusiastic about new learning, find ways to regain it.

Learning is an active process.
Learning on the most basic level involves the meaningful organization of the world. At first, that means taste, touch, observation and action. All this ordering is followed by a verbal representation—language. Language is the currency of the mind. Talk to your children. Talk aloud about what you are doing, about your thoughts and feelings. Express opinions. Ask for their opinions. Respect their thoughts. Let them see what you do to be organized. Let them see your system of organization. Yes, you do have some organizational systems even if they are not readily apparent. For example: How does one go about planning for a trip? What are the steps? How do you compare one trip with another? How do you compare prices and airlines? Talk about the budget. Have them plan grocery lists. Compare prices. How does one choose one product over another? Talk about the amazing variety in dogs and how they got that way. Do research about dogs with them. Take advantage of the cultural events the community offers. Give your child a calendar. Use symbols to represent activities if they are pre-readers. Above all, include your child in the day-today reasoning that you unconsciously engage. Make it verbal, make it conscious.

Learning and school
Early learning is about mastering the mechanics of symbols. Early reading is recognizing that letters have sounds and sounds blend to make words and words represent thought. All this learning assumes that your child is ready to understand symbols, their sequence and their meaning. Schools provide the instruction and exposure as well as the homework. Homework should be practice, not punishment. Its purpose is to reinforce new learning. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is gained by torture. Pay attention to when it is the best time for your child to tackle homework. Set aside an area for homework, make it an important area. Fill it with all the necessary items for study--pencils, pens, markers, notebooks, folders and good lighting. Establish the RULE: this area is always NEAT, try to impose the same time, same place rule. Let routine take over. Never let a homework session end without review. Ask your child to tell you what he or she just practiced.

Learning Problems
Children must see themselves as learners, and if you notice that they are retreating from that position, it is time to investigate. Not every child learns the mechanics at the same rate and pace, but a child must not be made to feel that he or she is less than able. You know your child; early learning problems must be managed. It is much easier to remediate a lagging skill than to heal self-esteem. The role of home and school is to build a confident and aggressive learner. You are your child’s best advocate.

Finally
Children need to understand how they contribute to their own learning. Until around the age of eight, they rely on parents and teachers to provide the tools for learning. They seek your acknowledgement on whether they are learning correctly. Children don’t actively realize that they contribute to the process. After the age of eight or so, they start to recognize that their effort counts. Learning how to learn is paramount in today’s world. Our children need to be independent in their ability to gain and evaluate information. You are the first step in providing the tools they need to forge ahead with confidence. Walk happily with your children along that path to independence, but remember the path wasn’t designed to be smooth. It was designed to build problem-solvers.

Coming in our next issue: Learning and the Adolescent

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2002 Gifts to LifeManagement Center
The Saul Alexander Foundation Ann and Tom Anderson Lynda and Jules Anderson The Barkley Foundation Sallie and Scott Barnes The Beach Company Helen Read Bertrand Ted and Virginia Brush Steve and Ginger Blanchard Barbara and John Boatwright Frank and Blanche Brumley Clarence and Frankie Calcote Robert and Leslie Calcote The Citadel The Citigroup Foundation Sally and Richard Coen The Community Foundation Serving Coastal S.C. Marty Whaley Cornwell Glyn Cowlishaw Priscilla Cuthbert Mary Beth and Paul Dacey George and Betty Debnam Lawrence Derthick Memorial Fund Disher, Hamrick and Myers, Inc. Jim Edwards and Eve Spratt Ellison Kibler and Associates Strait and Charlotte Fairey Horace and Jeri Ford Jane and Donald Furtado Henrietta and Palmer Gaillard General Engineering Laboratories		Vernon and Andrea Glenn Carol Graf Lawton and Betsy Grimball Lisa Hand Myron and Ann Harrington Batson and DeeDee Hewitt Marcelo Hochman Hoover Chrysler Plymouth Jeep Janet Hopkins J. Jilich Design Ellison Kibler and Associates Jeannie and Wayne King Janie and Neil Kruse Bob and Noel Kunes The Lane Foundation Melinda and Chip Laurens Dorothy Leland Liberty Corporation Bobbie and William Lindstrom Suzy Little Susan Marus Patrick McArthur Tei McCurdy Catherine McEaddy Kitty and Hunter McEaddy McNeil Consumer Pharmaceuticals/ Johnson & Johnson The Medical University of South Carolina Jim and Ann Muir Eileen and Gary Myers Kathy and Pete Nistad Margaret Ann Pearson Novartis Pharmaceuticals Michael and Millie O’Shaughnessy Linda Perry Susan and Dean Porter		Post and Courier Foundation Dale Poulnot The Pritchard Law Firm Charles Propst Sara and James Purcell Suzanne and Richard Query RBC Centura Bank Lou and Robert Rainey Heidi and Arthur Ravenel Kathy and Dan Ravenel Lynne Ravenel Shannon and Hal Ravenel Mary and Tommy Rivers Martha Ann and Rob Robertson Katharine and Randal Robinson John and Mary Saalfield Shire U.S. Pharmaceuticals Cotesworth Simons Elizabeth Simons Van Noy and Leigh Smith David and Ruthie Smythe Susan and Henry Smythe Special Properties, Inc. Karen and Bob Sywolski Trident Academy Joan Ustin The Wachovia Foundation Mary Whisonant Sarah and James White Angela Williams John and Libby Winthrop John Winthrop Charitable Trust Jack and Rebecca Work Conrad and Barbara Zimmerman The Jerry and Anita Zucker Family Foundation		GIFTS IN KIND A & E Digital Printing and Copy Center Audio Visual Headquarters Steve Broderick John Cook Cousins Details, Details Evans, Carter, Kunes and Bennett The Harbour Club T. Hunter McEaddy Landscape Architects Medical University of South Carolina The Natural Hideaway GE Seaco Magnolia Gardens Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health Porter-Gaud School R.S.V.P. Salomon Smith Barney DONORS TO THE KITTY TILGHMAN MCEADDY SCHOLARSHIP FUND Russell Barkley Sallie and Scott Barnes Helen Read Bertrand Robert Brooks Mary Beth and Paul Dacey Suzanne Galloway Saida and Marshall Huey Jane and Neil Kruse Salley Lesley Margaret and Ian MacDonald Ann Tilghman McEaddy Caroline McEaddy Catherine McEaddy Hunter McEaddy Kitty McEaddy Margaret Lee McEaddy T. Hunter McEaddy Susan and Henry Smythe Sarah and James White Angela Williams
Newsletter Coordinator: Paula Spedale Newsletter Designer: Craig McLaughlin CHECK-OUT THESE SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES AT LMC! Learning Styles Workshops for Middle School and High School Students Tutoring for all ages and in all subjects Offered June 23 to August 1 Intensive Reading Enhancement Call 577-2277 for information and registration

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Every time you turn it seems there’s a new medication for ADHD. One important principle is that there’s no right medicine for everyone. We have learned that there is more than one neurotransmitter approach to the problem. Not to get too scientific, but it seems that in some ADHD individuals nor-epinephrine reuptake is important, and Strattera (atomoxetine) is the first relatively pure nor-epinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) to hit the market. Methylphenidate and amphetamines, the traditional choices, have primarily a dopamine reuptake inhibiting effect, with Adderall having some NRI effect.

In the past, NRI’s have been linked to antidepressants in drugs such as Effexor and Wellbutrin. This drug has been shown to work for ADHD. It has other differences from the stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and amphetamines (dexamphetamine, Adderall, AdderallXR). It is usually meant to be administered once daily, but its effects are longer lasting, and though some efficacy is seen after one dose, the full efficacy relies on daily dosing and lasts through the following morning. Seven day dosing is recommended and though not mandatory, is ideal. ADHD is, of course, known to be a seven day a week disorder.

Strattera is not contraindicated in tic disorders or anxiety disorders, so it may afford relief to patients who suffer these side effects with stimulant use. Other side effects include appetite suppression in some individuals, stomach upset, and dizziness, as well as a clinically insignificant increase in blood pressure and pulse (very important to monitor in any individual who has hypertension or heart disease; usually the adult population). Sleepiness is another side effect that usually wears off with use, but can be limiting. Timing of the dose is a flexible option that can help with the sleepiness problem.

So, Strattera is one more addition to the helpful options for ADHD. As with any new drug, time will lend us more knowledge and expertise with the place the drug will hold. Though no one drug is best for everyone, it will be a valuable option for many.

Dr. Bertrand is a pediatrician with Stono Pediatrics and chairman of
LMC’s Medical Committee.

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628 Saint Andrew’s Boulevard
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