Adult ADD Help... Get Control Of
Your Adult ADD Life!
Henry...A perfect example of Adult ADD: Although he loves puttering around in his shop, for years Henry has had dozens of unfinished carpentry projects and ideas for new ones he knew he would never complete.
His garage was piled so high with wood, he and his wife joked about holding a fire sale. Every day Henry faced the real frustration of not being able to concentrate long enough to complete a task. He was fired from his job as stock clerk because he lost inventory and carelessly filled out forms.
Over the years, afraid that he might be losing his mind, he had seen psychotherapists and tried several medications, but none ever helped him concentrate. He saw the same lack of focus in his young son and worried.
Adult ADD Coping strategies:
1.) Continue educating yourself regarding Adult ADD, strategies, and accommodations that might be useful, as well as about legal rights and advocacy techniques.
2.) The use of note takers or tape recorders in classes or meetings can be invaluable when it comes to making sure you get everything, and will remember the important issues later on.
3.) Take time to get to know your peers, and any disability support staff and seek them out to request any assistance you need. Find help as soon as you experience difficulties. Consider working with a counselor or advisor to help you learn additional, personalized coping strategies.
4.) Keep a planner (or electronic scheduler) in which you record your assignments, projects, meeting and appointment dates, your plans for completion, your personal deadlines for steps to completion, dates and times of appointments
5.) Pick a quiet and comfortable place to do work that requires concentration and take frequent breaks to get physical movement and refresh yourself.
6.) Set aside 15 minutes at the end of your concentration/work time to review where you are on your various projects and to plan the next day.
7.) Select projects, and tasks that are high interest and a good fit for your learning style. Consider taking a reduced course load. If possible, request course substitutions to fulfill requirements that pose great difficulty for you because of your disability. If you must take a difficult course, consider taking it during the Summer or during a semester in which you have a light load.
8.) Request needed accommodations for special activities.
9.) Remember, since your an Adult add, ask questions if you do not understand a topic. If you remain unsure, write your question down, then proceed to complete the task to the best of your ability and understanding.
Additional Articles:As more research was done, it was discovered that symptoms of ADD ADHD continue into adulthood and many an adult began to realize, that while some of the behaviors had changed, the symptoms themselves had not.
