Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder impacts millions of people, both adult and children. A contest just announced by a local business that specializes in helping people with the disorder seeks personal essays from parents, middle school students and high school students who are living with AD/HD.

“How AD/HD Has Impacted My Life” is the topic of the essay contest, sponsored by A.D.D. with EASE, a company co-owned by a South Portland woman. It offers group and individual coaching sessions, primarily for children, parents and their families, in person, via the Internet or over the telephone.

Essays should be no more than 750 words. There are three categories: Middle school students; high school students; and parents. The deadline is Oct. 27. A winner will be chosen in each category, and will be eligible for two free coaching sessions with A.D.D. with EASE. Entries, which must include the author’s name, category, address, and telephone number, should be sent to: Attn: Essay Contest, A.D.D. with EASE, PO Box 3851, Portland, ME 04104-3851. Winners will be chosen Dec. 1, and notified by phone.

Laurie Moore Skillings of South Portland and JJ Stuart of Gray, owners of A.D.D. with EASE, plan to hold the contest as an annual event, timed to coincide with National Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Awareness Day, which this year is Sept. 20.

AD/HD is a neurobiological disorder that affects 3 to 7 percent of school-age children. Until recently, it was believed that children outgrew AD/HD in adolescence as hyperactivity often diminishes during the teen years. It is now known that AD/HD nearly always persists from childhood through adolescence and that many symptoms continue into adulthood. Current research reflects rates of roughly 2 to 4 percent among adults. Because it is a lifespan disorder that impacts so many areas of an individual’s daily functioning, AD/HD is a serious public health issue.

Children and adults with AD/HD are often creative and energetic. Building upon these strengths, a person can have a sense of pride and accomplishment. They can also be very successful and productive when they learn to use their gifts and talents to address their problems in a positive way. That is the focus of the work done by A.D.D. with EASE (an acronym for Advance Day by Day with Encouragement, Accountability, Support and Empowerment), established two years ago and located for the past 13 months on Forest Avenue in Portland.

Both Skillings and Stuart received their AD/HD coaching from Susan Sussman, who holds a master’s degree in educationm, is director of the American Coaching Association and co-founder of A.D.D. Coaching in the United States.

“We hope to post the winning personal essays – anonymously if winners wish – on our Web site, as one way to give some help and encouragement to people with AD/HD, particularly parents who have a newly diagnosed child,” said Stuart.

“To know that they (parents and children alike) are not alone”, said Skillings, “can make such a difference in and to their lives.”

For more information, call the firm at 878-ADHD, or log on to www.addwithease.com.