AD/HD School Caravan 2015

In October, 2002, the ADHD Society of the Philippines held its First Educational Conference at the Ateneo de Manila University with more than 200 educators in attendance. Motivated by the knowledge they have gained, the participants expressed the need to inform their fellow educators about AD/HD and suggested that the Society conduct seminars in the different schools across the country.

Taking the suggestions in mind, the groundwork for the project was laid right after the Conference in 2002. Initially, the project had the following objectives: 1) To inform the public in general, and the parents, teachers and school administrators in particular, about AD/HD through seminars to be held in strategic areas in the country; 2) to provide a positive perspective of AD/HD and remove the stigma placed on the individuals with the condition; 3) to provide training to teachers, guidance counselors and school administrators for the proper management of children with AD/HD in the classroom; and 4) to invite parents and teachers to join and actively participate in the AD/HD Society of the Philippines, a support group for parents, teachers and caregivers of individuals with AD/HD.

The project basically consisted of two (2) modules: 1) the awareness seminars; and 2) the teacher training. The awareness seminars were intended for parents, teachers, school administrators and other allied professionals. For a greater “multiplier effect”, The Society identified “host schools” in strategic areas in the country and these schools in turn, invited other schools in their localities to join the seminar. The program featured a lecture on ADHD by a medical practitioner, videos, testimonials (by a parent or a child with ADHD) and a panel discussion (with the medical practitioner, a school administrator or sped teacher, a parent and/or a child).
On the other hand, the teacher training was a one-day training module designed exclusively for teachers and school administrators. The seminar aimed in giving educators a better perspective on how to handle children with AD/HD, hence, the training seminars were conducted by highly-qualified facilitators who were trained by the Society on the effective management of students with ADHD in the classroom.

School Awareness Campaign
In August, 2003, the Society conducted an initial dry-run of the ADHD School Caravan project in Claret School with the consortium of Quezon City and Marikina schools (which included Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College, Stella Maris College, Claret School, among others). The positive response inspired the organizers so much that the next day, the School Caravan held another awareness seminar to a large crowd of parents and teachers at the Mater Carmeli School in Novaliches.

Buoyed by the financial assistance from then PCSO Chair Honey Girl de Leon, the very first ADHD School Caravan was officially launched on September 13, 2003 at the Philippine Christian School of Tomorrow in Paranaque City. After which, weekly caravans were held in the following schools: September 20 in Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City; September 27 in Assumption, Antipolo; October 4 in St. Theresa’s College, Quezon City; October 11 in La Salle, Greenhills; October 17 in St. Scholastica’s College, Manila; and October 24 in University of Santo Tomas, Manila.
Since its launch in 2003, the ADHD School Caravan has made its way to schools not only in the National Capital Region but also as far as Isabela, Baguio and La Union in the North; Cebu, Leyte and Roxas City in the South; and key cities in Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and the Bicol Region.
The School Caravan also received warm reception in some public schools like the Mandaluyong Integrated School; the Tala High School in Novaliches; Librada Avelino School in Tondo, Manila; and Gen. Roxas Elementary School in Quezon City among others.

Teacher Training
In November, 2003, the very first teacher training seminar was held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary College in Quezon City. The school requested for an exclusive awareness seminar for its parents and teachers and opted to have a teacher training seminar for its teaching staff and school administrators right after.

This set-up is ideal because educators who have identified ADHD cases in their classrooms thru the awareness seminars would often ask for a more comprehensive and “hands-on” training in handling these children. The teacher training module aims to equip teachers with skills in managing the child with ADHD in the classroom with topics ranging from an overview of ADHD, basic principles, placement options, instructional and evaluation schemes, collaborative practices and behavior management techniques.

A workshop usually caps the whole-day lecture with different scenarios presented to the participants for the evaluation and recommendations.

The public response to the project was encouraging with participants in general, eager to learn more about ADHD and how it affects a child at home and in school.
Parents sincerely appreciated the Society’s efforts to finally give a “face” to this disorder which was quite unknown or unfamiliar for sometime. Most of them said they understood ADHD better after the seminar and had a more positive perspective of the disorder. Some who were still apprehensive on getting an official diagnosis eventually decided to seek professional help. More importantly, these parents also joined the Society, eventually finding comfort and knowledge through its support group meetings, parenting seminars, parent training workshops, among others.

Educators on the other hand, learned that there was such a disorder and kept an open mind to it. Some even requested that awareness seminars be conducted in their respective schools. School administrators asked the Society to conduct teacher training seminars exclusively for their teaching staff. Worth noting too, is that some educators went as far as joining the caravan as it travelled in the different parts of the country.

On a personal level, the School Caravan has brought me to places I’ve never been in my entire life. Travelling to beautiful yet unknown places, taking long bus rides, enjoying the warmth and hospitality of the hosts, are among the memories I will always treasure. But what remains forever etched in my mind are the scenes of parents who gave me a warm hugs and tears of joy for inspiring them and giving them hope; the teachers, nuns, administrators, guidance counselors, etc turning emotional during my testimonials; and the teachers who asked for forgiveness , “I might have hurt a child with ADHD unknowingly and I am truly sorry if I misunderstood or hurt them in the process”.

Here is to hoping that the School Caravan will continue to make its way to schools to ensure that every ADHD child is protected, cared for and understood.

We've finally re-launched and we're ready to go!

The occasion also marked the unveiling of the official logo of the School Caravan by members of the ADHDSP Board of Trustees headed by Pres. Pong Tee and Dir-in-Charge Barbie Urgino, Advisory Board Member Dra. Marie Arranz-Lim, School Caravan advocates Grace Flores-Osio and project chair Ditas Martelino, Bonifacio Mem. Elem. School Reps and Special Guest, NCDA Info Chief Zaldy Sanchez.

In attendance were a hundred public school teachers from the different districts in Quezon City. QC Council Mayen Juico also graced the event and gave brief remarks. She was very enthusiastic in working together with the ADHDSP in spreading awareness about AD/HD.

Guest speakers were no less than Dra. Marie Arranz-Lim, who gave an overview on the disorder; and Teacher Grace Flores-Osio, who gave a very interesting talk entitled, " View from the Chalkboard". A panel discussion followed with Celine (a young adult with ADD) and Ditas Martelino (a parent with 2 kids with AD/HD) joining Dra. Marie and Teacher Grace.

Here's a toast to a fresh start and for more "stops" ahead! =)

(Photos courtesy of ADHDSP Board Sec Snooky Abaya.)

Part of the success of the AD/HD SCHOOL CARAVAN lies in the selection of a host school for our Awareness Seminars. The AD/HD Society of the Phils. invites the participants from other schools, provides the program content and other logistics support; while the host school shares in some of the duties and responsibilities.

If you have a school in mind, kindly email us at [email protected]. Thank you! =)

First meeting of the Working Committee for the AD/HD School Caravan 2015 held last Saturday at Pizza Hut, Katipunan Ave., QC. In photo (L-R) AD/HD-SP president Pong Tee, Grace Flores-Osio, Dir-in-Charge Barbie Urgino, AD/HD-SP Past President/Project Chair Ditas Martelino, Weng Bautista and ADHD-SP staff Jo Esteban.

Our special thanks too for those who have volunteered to help us with this project! =)

ATTENTION: Notice of Postponement ---- Upon the request of the school principal of Bonifacio Memorial Elementary School, the AD/HD School Caravan Committee has decided to move the Re-Launch to Friday, September 4, 2015. Please be advised accordingly.

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Brief History