The Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Support Group of Southern Africa (ADHASA) Soweto Branch is encouraging Soweto residents to utilise the services on offer at their office.
ADHASA Soweto was started in 2004 by Elizabeth Maseke.
According to Mandla Mnikati who is the coordinator of the Soweto Health Desk, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity (ADHA) mostly starts in childhood and can go into adulthood.
He said their ADHASA Soweto Branch offers counselling and support to family with members suffering from ADHA, they do free referrals for members, provide contact with others facing similar challenges and give recommended food list of brand names and products unlikely to affect adults or children with ADHA.
Mnikati said they further have a library of books for their members, give branches that help in your relevant areas, work with therapists, have annual conferences and seminars and have talks by professional speakers and talks in schools and universities about this illness.
He said: “People can call and make appointment to come and see us and then we do counseling and referrals for them.
“We are not doctors so we don’t do diagnosis but we visit schools to educate teachers on ADHA and offer workshops if school doesn’t understand a child with ADHA.
“We also give them tips on how to handle the condition.”
ADHASA Soweto also has support groups for parents to share their difficulties they face with their children’s condition and they also use at platform to advise one another.
Administrator at ADHASA Soweto Branch, Annah Monamodi said they are thinking of starting support groups for children in their centre as they already have fun activities for them.
She said residents should know that their services are for free.
“We have a team of professionals who assist us including our therapists and doctors.
“We also work with two staff members and three volunteers who are trained to do field work.
“Another part we assist in is educating parents on diet and medication as these work together because you find that some foods trigger this condition especially in children.
“This is why we encourage parents to monitor children’s diet,” Monamodi.
Anyone who has a problem can go to the ADHASA Soweto Branch which opens on weekdays between 10am and 3pm and for more information residents can call 011 986 5067.
ADHASA Soweto can also be found at 291 Rockville, Mapheto Street.
