| Do you know why you have ADD/ADHD? | | | | a hard time creating structure within their own |
| Because you are extremely intelligent! No, I am | | | | minds, so they must rely on structure from |
| not being sarcastic. In fact, I could not be more | | | | outside sources and develop habitual routines to |
| sincere. Most people with ADD/ADHD (herein | | | | help them keep track of their responsibilities and |
| called ADHD) have such a strong interest in a | | | | belongings. For example, one man I know with |
| great variety of things, they have a hard time | | | | ADHD explained, "I was always leaving things |
| maintaining focus on one thing at a time. Of | | | | behind in restaurants and stores; my wallet, keys, |
| course, there are additional reasons too, but I am | | | | jacket, briefcase, diaper bag, etc. So I started |
| here to tell you that every person I know with | | | | getting in the habit of looking back every time I |
| ADHD (friends, relatives, and students) have an | | | | left a table, seat, or check-out counter to make |
| extraordinary number of talents and are all | | | | sure I didn't leave anything. It works well. I |
| extremely bright. So, why do so many students | | | | haven't left anything behind in years!" |
| with ADHD struggle in school? | | | | Good routines to develop for school include using |
| The traditional school environment is not very | | | | a planner, taking a few minutes at the end of |
| exciting for most students, but especially students | | | | every day to clean garbage out of your book bag |
| with ADHD. What they (and some of their | | | | and put papers in your folders, and gather |
| teachers) fail to realize is that school is not boring | | | | everything you need for school the night before |
| because the information is too complex. On the | | | | so you don't forget anything in the chaos of the |
| contrary...school is boring because there is often | | | | morning. |
| not enough activity to keep their active minds | | | | Find a mentor. When you are trying to develop |
| engaged. | | | | routines and change habits to be successful in |
| One common characteristic of people with ADHD | | | | school, it is always helpful to have someone who |
| is that they learn best by doing; they prefer to | | | | can be your "sounding board," who can help |
| get their hands on something and figure out how | | | | motivate you, and keep you focused. A good |
| it works rather than read about how it works. | | | | mentor should be a responsible and trusted adult |
| They typically represent the epitome of "hands | | | | or older student whom you trust; perhaps a |
| on, minds on" learners. However, in most school | | | | neighbor, aunt/uncle, tutor, personal coach, |
| situations, there is way too much idle time sitting | | | | community volunteer, peer counselor or student |
| at desks. | | | | from a local high school or college. Try to avoid |
| Many parents of students with ADHD say that | | | | having your parent fill this role because you are |
| their children do best when they can be involved | | | | likely to quickly perceive your parents as "nagging" |
| in class by helping the teacher or having some | | | | you rather than encouraging you. A mentor may |
| type of leadership role. They thrive on projects | | | | sometimes "nag," but is often easier to take it |
| and the opportunity to investigate the answer to | | | | from someone other than a parent. |
| a problem. | | | | Your mentor will help you identify some goals and |
| Is ADHD Really a Disorder? | | | | check in with you every other day or two-three |
| I have always hated the term "Attention Deficit | | | | times per week to see what you are doing to |
| Disorder!" My observations, from knowing and | | | | reach those goals and offer you encouragement. |
| working with dozens of friends, relatives, and | | | | They should be available to listen to you vent |
| students who have ADHD are that they just | | | | when you are frustrated and may have some |
| have to make some additional accommodations | | | | suggestions to help you. Of course, your mentor |
| to function in our modern society. | | | | will also be on hand to help you celebrate each of |
| For example, I am left-handed and the whole | | | | your accomplishments along the way, even the |
| world is backwards for me. I can never use | | | | small ones. |
| scissors without looking like I have a physical | | | | Take it one step at a time. Try to figure out the |
| disability. I always get ink smears on my hand | | | | one area that is causing you the greatest problem |
| when I write because my hand glides right over | | | | and work on this first. You may want to talk to |
| the freshly written words. When I have to sign | | | | your parents, teachers, and even your mentor to |
| my name on a credit card machine, the stylus is | | | | determine where to start. For example, if your |
| always on the wrong side of the machine and my | | | | teachers tell you that the main reason that your |
| signature looks like that of a kindergartner. The | | | | grades are falling is because you are not turning in |
| desks in college were all backwards for me so I | | | | your assignments, then you know that this is |
| had to learn how to write on my lap and looked | | | | what you should try to improve first. Get help |
| like I was hunchback. | | | | from your teachers, guidance counselors, parents, |
| Does this mean I have a disorder? Of course not! | | | | your mentor, and the free Homework Rx® |
| It just means that I need to make some | | | | Toolkit at our website to help you determine |
| accommodations and accept the fact that people | | | | strategies that will help you with this one problem. |
| will make fun of me when I use scissors or try to | | | | Give it one or two months and then identify the |
| pay for my groceries. Technically, ADHD is a | | | | next problem. |
| disorder because it is a medical condition caused | | | | Do not give up! Everyone has moments when |
| by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain and can | | | | they fall backwards as they try to reach their |
| be treated medically, but the word "disorder" | | | | goals; everyone from straight-A students to the |
| makes it sound as if there is something wrong | | | | CEO of a major company. This is a natural part |
| with people who have ADHD. On the contrary. | | | | of life. The key for anyone to be successful, |
| For most people, it is simply a process of making | | | | however, is to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, |
| some adjustments. | | | | and keep moving. You'll see positive results very |
| What Are Those Adjustments? | | | | soon! |
| There are an infinite number of strategies and | | | | © 2006 Susan Kruger, All rights reserved. You |
| tricks that may be helpful for people who have | | | | are free to use this article in whole or in part in |
| ADHD and most will be a matter of what works | | | | print, on a web site, or in an email newsletter, as |
| best for each individual. However, there are three | | | | long as you include complete attribution, including |
| factors that are key to making any strategy | | | | live web site link. Please also notify me where the |
| successful: | | | | material will appear. |
| Develop healthy routines. People with ADHD have | | | | |