Read an article today that said that some researchers in the UK have found a genetic link to ADHD. While they cannot say for sure to what extent the disorder is caused by genetic vs. environmental factors this is still great progress! One step closer to removing the ADHD-related ignorance & discrimination!
Remember that praise works better to motivate people w/ADHD to do the right thing than coming down hard with punishment & threats. Science has proven that ADHD is not caused by deficiency of character or morals, or poor parenting but that is a neurological disorder, like autism, or depression or OCD. Now go say something nice to that ADHDer in your life!
Larry says,
ADHDers are well suited for keeping pace with our DSL high speed society. Ben gets more done in a day than any non-ADHDer I know. HE’s like the energizer bunny. His energy can be contagious & often ignites me to greater productivity. His high quantity of work is matched by high quality. Ben does need to be encouraged to focus on prioritizing & completion. Once again, that’s when I show up.
Larry says,
ADHDers are entrepreneurs at heart. They ooze resourcefulness and creativity. Ben not only sees most everything with his physical eyes, he also sees possibilities in his mind’s eye that most people never consider. I love nearly all of his ideas but sometimes he experiences a brain overload. His mind becomes a tangled web of ideas. That’s where I come into the picture. 
Larry says,
People with ADHD notice and hear just about everything that’s being done or said around them. They seem to have an internal sensor that is attentive to sights and sounds that those of us without ADHD do not have. Ben is more sensitive to detail, rarely gets lost, sees the funny in places & situations I normally miss, observes beauty in the obscure, and can be entertained by walking around Wal-mart.
Larry says,
Just like the grocery store tabloid, people with ADHD have “curious minds that want to know”. Ben is rarely satisfied with what he knows about any given subject. He loves knowledge whether it’s pertinent or trivial and anything he learns he remembers. Those with ADHD also have an insatiable hunger for having fun. Ben’s a big kid and would just as soon play all day if he could. Our travels are an adventure.
This week I thought I’d let Larry (my traveling buddy aka The Old Guy) do the Thought for the Day. Larry doesn’t have ADHD, but he gets to observe me up-close & personal + he’s worked with kids his whole life (as a pastor, counselor and teacher). I think he has some great stuff to share!
Larry says:
People with ADHD display a heart that is sensitive and generous to the needs of others. I saw this often in the students I used to teach who struggled with ADHD. They were the peacemakers, the ones most willing to share, and those students who consistently expressed compassion. That’s Ben; he hurts when others hurt and he loves to share his resources with those who are struggling.
I get a lot of questions from parents of kids about whether or not, the child should be medicated. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Each child (or adult) has to be evaluated individually & thoughtfully. Usually, it is a matter of trial & error. Finding a knowledgeable Doctor is crucial. If you have any doubt that your Doctor is less than an expert, find someone else.
Here is a helpful article from ADDitude Mag that helps sort through some of the considerations when you are contemplating meds vs. no meds for yourself, your child or your spouse.
People with ADHD tend to get stressed out easily & this often leads to a mental/emotional shut/melt-down. One of the best ways to prevent this cycle is by having direction. If you have ADHD, ask your spouse/parent/teacher to help you prioritize. If you’re the spouse/parent/teacher, know the warning sighs & be prepared to step in with a plan.
Assuming that the ADHDer is open to being directed and has someone to “oversee” them, it all comes down to timing. People w/ADHD can go from 0-99 on the frustration scale very quickly and if you’re not paying attention to the cues, you’ll miss the window to steer them clear of a shut/melt-down. Not surprisingly recovering from the rapid downward spiral and getting back on track is much harder than preventing it in the first place.
