NNSL (DEC 18/96) - Helena Bacchus and Karri Nolting met in Grade 10 at St. Patrick High School and have been friends ever since.

Not only do they share the past but they each have sons with an attention deficit disorder. And they want to share their experiences and new information with other parents.

Kids with the disorder used to be called unruly. Every class had one. He was the class clown perhaps, the cut-up, the wiggler. He fought and wouldn't wait his turn.

One minute he would be working on his math. The next minute he'd be day dreaming out the window even if the teacher nagged.

"Having a child with an attention deficit can be exhausting, frustrating and very upsetting for the parents as well as the child," said Baccus

When Brendon Baccus was three or four years old, he destroyed his room and set his sister's teddy bear on fire.

Children with attention deficit disorder are characterized by symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and sometimes hyperactivity, which starts before they are seven.

"One or more instructions at a time and he can't remember what he's supposed to do," said Nolting, mother of two boys, one with ADD.

These children comprise approximately three to five per cent of the school-age population with boys significantly outnumbering girls.

"No one knows what causes attention deficit, but it's not the parents," said Nolting.

"It's such a relief when your child is diagnosed. There is a real problem even if no one can see it and I'm not some awful parent," said Baccus.

Over the years ADD was associated with food allergies, fetal alcohol syndrome, lead toxicity, prenatal trauma or maturational delay. Recent studies show specific metabolic abnormality in the brain.

Parents struggle for answers usually until the child goes to school and that's where the problem comes to a head said Baccus.

Medications work to a degree and you have to raise kids with ADD differently Nolting said.

"Most require strict routines. But some people think ADD is just an excuse for bad behaviour," she said.

Up to 70 per cent of ADD children will show symptoms in adulthood but they will be milder.

It's been a tough go for these mothers. But they want to help others in the same boat.

"Maybe some people don't have anyone to talk to, maybe they don't have a Karri in their life," said Baccus.

A group of about 10 parents have had two informal meeting but will meet formally mid-January and form a local chapter of Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders or CHADD.

The organization will offer support and information. Dr. Andrew Gee and Dr. Marie-Claude Lebeau are involved and teachers are enthusiastic.

For more information call any school.