By Coralie Rogez

The Kitty Petty ADD/LD Institute has scheduled its annual symposium 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The symposium, presented by Dr. Patricia Quinn and Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., will focus on women and girls with ADHD.

Discussion topics will include the diagnostic challenges involved in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders and Learning Differences (ADD/LD) and their high-risk connection with drug abuse, neurocognitive therapy, challenges faced by young women, why symptoms increase with puberty and the social and physiological differences between males and females with ADHD.

The institute, located in Palo Alto, was founded by Kitty Petty in 1995 as a public non-profit corporation dedicated to providing resources and support to those diagnosed with ADD and other learning disorders.

In addition to its 200 members, KPI has the largest referral network in California.

“Whatever help you need, we can match you with a referral,” said Petty, president and CEO.

Petty started the institute after learning that her grandson was diagnosed as ADD. She said the motivation came easily, “when you discover you have it in four generations in your family.”

This institute is atypical in its focus on the positive effects attributed to ADD, frequently overshadowed by the stigma associated with it.

Petty said, “There wouldn’t be a stigma with ADD if people understood it.”

Some common strengths in ADD personalities are musical talent, unlimited energy, artistic ability, observant and creative qualities, heightened awareness, sensitivity to the needs of others, enthusiasm and a variety of interests.

“I strongly believe in positive behavior programs,” said Petty. “For example, a problem with people suffering from ADD is their inability to plan. However, in the same manner, you could say they are very spontaneous individuals. There’s a positive side to everything.”

According to the KPI Web site, ADD impacts a person’s ability to learn. Although it isn’t generally considered a learning disability, an estimated 10 percent to 33 percent of children with ADD also have learning disabilities. Symptoms include the inability to remain still for short periods of time, inattentiveness, inability to focus, impulsivity and distractibility.

“If they’re distracted and can’t focus, they’re not learning! With the proper treatment and combination in school, children can excel and minimize their limitations,” said Petty.

According to Petty, people with ADD have difficulty envisioning consequences and thinking of the future.

For more information, call 329-9443 or logon to www.kpinst.org.