Professional response to ACTIVE’s teenagers’ tape 'Do what You Want To Do' has included some surprises. The tape was designed specifically for teenagers. It aimed to address the problem, reported by a number of specialists, that many ADD teenagers feel overwhelmed and isolated by the difficulties they are experiencing at school and at home, and many decide, for various reasons, not to take prescribed medication, even though it is benefiting them.

In commenting on the effectiveness of the tape in putting medication in a positive light, Dr Rick Jarman, Director of Clinical Services at the Centre for Community Child Health and Ambulatory Paediatrics commented:

"I have already lent my copy of the tape to a few teenagers who have demonstrated significant compliance problems with medication, and this has had a much more powerful influence on their subsequent behaviour then anything I could have told them during the sessions in my office. I have no hesitation in recommending this tape highly."

It was a bonus to find that three other reviewers thought that the tape would have wider uses than originally envisaged for it. Dr Ernest Luk, Associate Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Department of Psychological Medicine at Monash University saw the tape as:

"an excellent educational material for both parents and teachers."

Ms Jenni Blake, Visiting Teacher to the Visually Impaired for the Directorate of Education, saw yet other uses for it. She commented in an unsolicited review:

"Do What You Want To Do is an excellent resource, not just for teenagers with ADHD, but also for other teenagers, and for teachers to learn what it’s like for those who have ADHD. Until now, taking medication for ADHD has often been a secret thing. This tape opens up the issue so that those who need to take it will realise that they are not alone. It will be particularly useful for teachers who are teaching about issues of self-management, health and human relations under the Curriculum Standards Framework".

Mr David Stokes, Director of Clinical Neuropsychology at the Austin Repat Medical

Centre agreed that it would have multiple uses:

"I found this an excellent production and a useful contribution to a difficult issue. It will be particularly informative and reassuring to both children and parents who are grappling with medication and ADHD. It may also be of benefit to teachers in helping them to understand ADHD from a student’s perspective. What especially impressed me was the portrayal of the benefit of medication on social as well as behavioural and academic achievement."

.Do What You want To Do is a 23 minute audio cassette tape in which six Melbourne teenagers talk frankly about their experiences with ADD. The discussion is moderated by Dr Chitra Chandran and Dr Sam Ginsberg. It is introduced and concluded with rock music composed and played by Melbourne teenager Matt Nicolaides. ABC TV news presenter Cathie Bowlen reads the introductory and concluding remarks. Participants were Kelcey Crawford de Koning, Courtney Hall, Michael Elliott, Timothy James Lawson,, Richard Moore and Sarah Richards. The sound engineer was Jim Nicolaides. Stephen Moore did the artwork. Marketing advice was given by Mike Trueman. All the participants donated their time for the project.