| When I was a child ADD/ADHD was not a diagnosis | | | | most productive by setting up simple systems |
| that had been identified. Iwas considered hyper active | | | | forcompleting daily tasks and follow the same daily |
| and was the child who presented a challenge tothe | | | | routines. For instance:getting ready for the day, |
| teacher because I could talk to my neighbor, and at the | | | | cleaning the house or finishing up the day attheir office. |
| same time knowwhat question the teacher was | | | | They need to have a lot of reminders if they tend to |
| asking and then answer the question. If youwere in my | | | | forget appointments, getdistracted, or lose their train of |
| school I could have been the one sitting in the hall so I | | | | thought. It may help to have an organizingbuddy or |
| couldn'ttalk to my neighbor. | | | | friend to support them in their goals to stay on track. |
| It used to be that anyone who couldn't stay organized | | | | Setting analarm on their watch, putting up sticky notes, |
| was easily distracted,and tended to be overly | | | | or making a running list ofthings to-do in a single |
| energetic. Children were labeled "problems" andadults | | | | notebook or planner will help. Sticky notes can belost |
| were thought to be lost causes. But today, we realize | | | | or become clutter so a notebook or planner can be |
| there is anorganic brain condition that causes some | | | | the most effective wayto keep track of things that |
| people to think and functiondifferently than the majority | | | | need to be done and appointments to keep. |
| of the population. These people are often verycreative | | | | Those with ADD are accomplished people and need |
| and intelligent people when they are in a supportive | | | | to focus on those things theyhave accomplished, not |
| environment. | | | | focusing on the 15,000 things they haven't done yet. |
| Here is some information to help us learn more about | | | | As with everyone they need to pat themselves on the |
| Attention Deficit | | | | back for what they havedone in any given day and |
| Disorder -- also known as ADD to the general public. | | | | know there is always another day to accomplishother |
| Those who have been diagnosed with Attention | | | | things that need to be done. |
| Deficit thrive in a structuredenvironment. They can be | | | | |