ADD Summary Sheet
(This information is summarized from the well-known book, “Driven to Distraction”.)
Origin of ADD
- May be related to family dysfunction, dietary causes (esp. for hyperactivity), or genetic make-up.
- May not be a “disorder” at all, but rather a personality type.
Characteristics of Individuals With ADD
Distractible
- Short attention span (but can focus intensely on some things)
Impatient
- Poor planner (disorganized, impulsive)
Difficulty following directions
- Has distorted sense of time (knowing how long a task will take)
Daydreams
- (bored by routine tasks) Acts without considering consequences
Lacking in social graces
- Does not easily convert words to concepts or concepts to words
To Be a More Successful Student:
Break Tasks Into Small Bites
- Break jobs into small tasks or short-term goals (organize your time around these tasks)
- Prepare “to-do” lists, and cross off items as they are completed
Increase Your Attention Span
- Train yourself to attend for longer periods of time (spider technique)
- Learn to convert auditory input into visual pictures (during lectures, conversations)
- Practice paying attention when people talk to you
Create study/work “zones” Which are Free From Distraction
- Close the door, turn off the radio, tell people not to disturb you, and do one thing at a time (this may entail getting away from your room or office to a “secret” location)
- Clean your desk at the end of each day; keep your college room clean and organized (this will greatly minimize distractions)
Exercise Every Day
- 30 to 60 minutes of daily aerobic activity seems to help some people as much as Ritalin
Stick With Tasks In Which You Excel, Where Possible
- When you get a job or start your own business, learn to stick to the things you are best at; pair yourself up with someone who is highly organized and likes to manage details
Harness your Strengths
- Compensate for your short attention span (creativity, interest, environmental monitoring)
To Control Your Impulses
- Postpone implementing snap decisions by one day - write them down and evaluate them later
- If you feel very (self) driven to a snap decision, try concentrating on another goal for awhile
- Consider Ritalin-type medication.
Some Jobs in Which You Might Excel:
- Police Officer
- Private Detective
- Freelance Writer
- Reporter
- Airplane Pilot
- “Spy”
- Military Combat Personnel
- Safari/Expedition Leader
- Explorer
- Disc Jockey
- Salesperson
- Consultant
- Entrepreneur
- Trial Lawyer
- Politician
- Surgeon
- Trauma Care Specialist
- Senior Executive (if position requires more creativity & risk taking and less management).
When Working With a Person With ADD:
- Make specific, definable measurable daily goals. Give one priority at a time
- Have the individual fill in a daily report
- Set up a short-term reward system (while not ignoring long-term rewards)
- Help create a “system driven” work environment (i.e. structuring their work completion).
- Systems should include daily definition of job, performance, goals, and self-measurements.
