CHADD Introduces Spanish Parent to Parent Program
CHADD’s newest educational resource, the Spanish version of its popular Parent to Parent Family Training on ADHD, will be available free of charge through December 2020.
Learning that your child has been diagnosed with ADHD can be overwhelming for any parent. Many find themselves at a loss regarding where to turn for reliable information and proven approaches to enhance their child’s success. To meet this critical need, CHADD created Parent to Parent: Family Training on ADHD (P2P). Developed by parents for parents, P2P provides a comprehensive understanding of ADHD and essential strategies for improving life at home and at school. The English version of this eLearning program was first introduced in 2019, and CHADD is pleased to announce that the Spanish version is now available.
“The Latinx and Spanish-speaking community faces numerous obstacles when seeking information about and access to care for ADHD, as well as other mental health concerns, because of language barriers and a lack of familiarity with the processes involved,” explains Alondra Perez, a bilingual health information specialist at CHADD. “We want to make it easier for Spanish-speaking parents of children diagnosed with ADHD to obtain the resources they need, and to feel comfortable reaching out for support. Offering our P2P program in Spanish is an important step in increasing access to services and building a greater understanding of ADHD.”
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of inappropriate levels of attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. When not properly identified, diagnosed, and treated, this disorder can have serious consequences. Research shows that children with untreated ADHD have higher rates of academic failure and high school dropout rates, substance abuse, unintentional injuries, and emergency department visits.
ADHD affects 10 percent of all school-age children in the United States, as well as more than four percent of adults. For children of Hispanic or Latino dissent, ages two to 17, six percent have ADHD―a number that equates to over one million children. Studies indicate that Latino and African American children are less likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis and treatment than white children. It is important to know that ADHD is highly manageable using an individualized, multimodal treatment approach that can include behavioral interventions, parent and patient training, educational support, and medication.
“Early intervention is key to positive outcomes,” says Perez, who was instrumental in creating the Spanish language translation of CHADD’s P2P program. “Learning how to effectively manage the symptoms of ADHD can affect both the severity of the disorder and the development of more serious issues over time. We want parents in the Latinx and Spanish-speaking community to know they’re not alone in surmounting the challenges associated with ADHD, and ensure they have access to critical resources.”
Perez reports that CHADD receives a multitude of calls to its National Resource Center Helpline from Spanish-speaking parents who were previously unable to access the services and resources they need, primarily due to the language barrier.
“I know when I was growing up, there was a lack of healthcare resources available for families like mine,” says Perez. “Many parents relied on pediatricians for information, but were often unable to understand what they heard. CHADD’s Spanish P2P program helps Latinx and Spanish-speaking parents to support their children with ADHD, and to advocate for them emotionally, mentally, and academically. And now, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, with schools going virtual and medical appointments often conducted through telehealth visits, the P2P program is more important than ever.”
CHADD’s Parent to Parent program provides support and information from the parents’ perspective. Parents learn what ADHD is, its probable causes, the process of diagnosis and assessment, the components of a multimodal treatment approach, complementary and alternative treatment options, strategies for creating an ADHD-friendly home environment, and how to support a child with ADHD at school. The curriculum incorporates information on managing the impact of ADHD on a family, behavioral interventions that work, and effective parenting strategies. School issues are also covered, such as special education and IDEA, classroom accommodations and Section 504, and how to work with school administrators.
The Spanish P2P program is a flexible, self-paced, online course delivered in five modules. Individual modules can be purchased for $19.99 each, or the complete bundle of five modules can be purchased for $79.99. The modules are accessible for a full year from the date of purchase. CHADD is pleased to share that from December 1, 2020, through January 1, 2021, the Spanish P2P program is being made available free of charge to the general public.
CHADD offers several other resources developed specifically for the Spanish-speaking ADHD community, including a series of podcasts and webinars that focus on diagnosis and treatment, and address the specific challenges faced by the ADHD community during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, callers contacting CHADD’s National Resource Center Helpline at 1.866.200.8098 or through email at NRC@chadd.org can ask to talk with a Spanish-speaking health information specialist who can answer questions and offer guidance.