In working with a family with an ADHD child, the family was totally against the use of common stimulants. They were afraid of their child becoming a 'zombie'. Even though I told them that while that was possible, the effect was not probable.
I remember reading years ago that there was a lower incidence of ADHD in England, which was thought to be due to children drinking tea all day. I do'?t think this hypothesis proved viable, but I asked the family if they wanted to try caffeinated tea instead. They readily agreed, and later reported positive results.
Recently, a lab technician I coached had tried all the available stimulants at different doses, but found poor results. He's a regular coffee user, but only had coffee in the morning. He d etermined the times of the day that he loses concentration, and I suggested that he take a cup of coffee right before the time he has to concentrate. Although caffeine lasts a short time, it did help him accomplish the task at home. Of course, there are problems with high caffeine intake, but reportedly, it has known cardiovascular benefits.
Have you ever tried caffeine at various times of the day, when you need to focus and not be distractible? Does it work?
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
10 Ways an ADDer Can Distract From Accomplishing a Task
1. Do a household chore that can be done at another time.
2. Before beginning the task check all e-mails.
3. Call a friend you just spoke to yesterday and waste some time.
4. Convince yourself that you can wait until later because you have plenty of free time.
5. Start an arguement with a friend or significant other.
6. Worry about your future goals.
7. Decide you have to read the newspaper before you begin the task.
8. Go make a snack.
9. Make lists.
10. Get upset thinking about how hard it is to begin the task.
There are many other ways to distract an Adder. What do you do? Do you need a coach to help you with strategies?
2. Before beginning the task check all e-mails.
3. Call a friend you just spoke to yesterday and waste some time.
4. Convince yourself that you can wait until later because you have plenty of free time.
5. Start an arguement with a friend or significant other.
6. Worry about your future goals.
7. Decide you have to read the newspaper before you begin the task.
8. Go make a snack.
9. Make lists.
10. Get upset thinking about how hard it is to begin the task.
There are many other ways to distract an Adder. What do you do? Do you need a coach to help you with strategies?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
INCONSISTENCY IN THE ADDER
When I worked with children who had AD(HD) their parents did not understand that inconsistent behavior was one of the hallmarks of this disorder. Rather, parents reported that their ADD child did not try hard enough and was lazy and irresponsible. Actually, it is now realized that children with ADD are unable to be consistent despite their efforts. One day, an ADDer brings his completed homework to school, and the next day he loses it. Exam grades in a subject can be A one day, and F the next day--very confusing.
Now we know that arousal and attentional levels are variable in ADDers. If stimulant medication and/or serious consequences are used, attent ion to detail and focusing improves. The fact is that ADD children do much better when tasks are truly stimulating to them. Likewise, ADD adults find if the job or school is not stimulating, they are likely to do poorly, and others will say 'He has potential, but is not motivated.'. Often many jobs do not have deadlines , which are necessary for the ADDer. The ADDer can take stimulant medication to maintain a consistent level of alertness and arousal. However, he/she must use strategies as well. ADDers work wel l with a high level of arousal, and when consequences are negative.
One recommendation for ADDers in the workplace is, of course, to find a job that is generally stimulating and a good fit for their brain style. Then the ADDer has to set deadlines by meeting at regularly scheduled times with his professor at school or boss at work.( Failure to show up would be disastrous). This approach can prove successful even if the work is done at the 11th hour ( since ADDers tend to procrastinate). Hopefully, this will help to maintain consistency, especially if he has a coach to remind him of various effective strategies. What do you do to maintain consistency at home, school or work?
Now we know that arousal and attentional levels are variable in ADDers. If stimulant medication and/or serious consequences are used, attent ion to detail and focusing improves. The fact is that ADD children do much better when tasks are truly stimulating to them. Likewise, ADD adults find if the job or school is not stimulating, they are likely to do poorly, and others will say 'He has potential, but is not motivated.'. Often many jobs do not have deadlines , which are necessary for the ADDer. The ADDer can take stimulant medication to maintain a consistent level of alertness and arousal. However, he/she must use strategies as well. ADDers work wel l with a high level of arousal, and when consequences are negative.
One recommendation for ADDers in the workplace is, of course, to find a job that is generally stimulating and a good fit for their brain style. Then the ADDer has to set deadlines by meeting at regularly scheduled times with his professor at school or boss at work.( Failure to show up would be disastrous). This approach can prove successful even if the work is done at the 11th hour ( since ADDers tend to procrastinate). Hopefully, this will help to maintain consistency, especially if he has a coach to remind him of various effective strategies. What do you do to maintain consistency at home, school or work?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)