My presentation on Attachment Disorder

So instead of writing about the presentation on attachment disorder that I gave to Noah's teachers etc. several weeks ago, I wrote about the Race for Education labels and the principals reaction.

As an aside, I'm apparently somewhat infamous because of that. One of Noah's therapists told me she was talking with a Mom at a school in another district that is doing the fund raiser and the Mom told her she heard that someone in our school district had turned in a sheet of addresses that had the president on it and other famous people. I'm like the underground hero of the "I'm not a PTA mom" crowd. Ha!

But anyway, that day was really about the presentation. And for everyone but the principal it was.

I had 45 minutes to educate about attachment disorder and get them to understand why I think it is Noah's primary issue. I did a Power Point presentation to try and make the best use of my time. Plus, then I could give them hard copies.

I filled it with pictures of Noah, interspersed amongst the information on the brain and the symptoms and behaviors. I really wanted to grab them emotionally while at the same time I was educating them.

Since one of the primary goals was also to get them to understand why I think his behaviors have to do with attachment disorder than with PDD I wanted to make an impact with the science of the brain and really get them to understand how devastating the first six months of his life were to him.

I want to thank Corey from Watching the Waters who responded to my angst filled email asking for help. I first found Corey shortly after I wrote Return Receipt Requested last spring. I believe someone commented on my post and that comment led me to another post, which then led me to Corey's blog. It was definitely one of those moments that happened at just the time for me that I needed it to. Reading Corey's blog is what made me realize that Noah was showing attachment disordered behaviors like her kids do. In some ways Corey saved me.

I also need to thank Diana at Gold to Refine who had recently done a presentation of her own to her kids school. She graciously gave me some of the graphics she used and some wording suggestions. Such a wonderful woman. She didn't know me at all, yet immediately jumped to my aid when I asked.

Although I haven't received feedback from everyone there, I do believe it was well received. No one was rushing to leave at the 45 minute mark, and I didn't see anyone checking their iPhones, etc. It was very clear that the younger teachers bought into it emotionally. One of the therapists said it was like an in service and was worthy of CE credits.

I was pleased with what I put together and how I presented it, even if the principal didn't seem to buy into it at all.

Some of the therapists have asked for copies and if they can take some of the information from it to use in training.

I've also given the presentation to Noah's karate instructors to look at.

My next thought is to shorten it and maybe even simplify it a bit, so I can give it to the nonprofessionals that work with him, such as the bus drivers, his soccer coach, etc.

If any of you are considering doing the same thing and would like to look at mine let me know.