This is in response to a post from a ADD website I made on June 28, 2011:
My Story
I, too have a similar life line, except I was diagnosed in my early 20s. Discovering I have ADD, first by myself (I’m studying Social Sciences) and soon after confirmed by doctors, I made sure I looked into my campus services. For example, I was put in touch with Disability Support Services and they informed me of the services offered, if any. The referred me to the campus Psychologist and she and my regular Psychiatrist became sort of a tag team for me; this was because I also work.
In grade school, I was the “smart girl”, really, this is how people (students, parents, and teachers alike) would refer to me. Not that I’m saying people call me dumb now, but my intelligence was better proven in those years. I was a Talented And Gifted (TAG) student and always was at least a grade level above in classes. I played piano, danced and maintained my grades. Nowadays, I sometimes just feel dumb.
I find it necessary to compartmentalize my life (Work, School, Church, family etc) and try not to blur the lines too much, or it seems as if my life is like an ABC piece of gum (yucky). I am not on meds- I use dance, yoga and some water exercises to calm my nerves and center my train of thought along with other coping mechanisms. I see a counselor regularly and try to maintain some sort of a routine (I don’t have a cow when it doesn’t end up as planned... well…not too much).
How I Cope...
I make lists, using pen and paper, and literally cross items off as I complete them; I sometimes make one of what I done, like a reverse to do list-surprisingly this helps too.
I also set up a reward system for my day, or when I need to complete a certain task-including studying. The rewards aren’t like $$$ or even a new pair of shoes, it’s more like the following:
At work:
When a task, a portion of a project is complete or I’ve been working consistently for say, 45minutes… my treat is a walk around the office to get a piece of candy off a co workers desk.
…a glass of water
…I may actually take a break and walk around the block, make a phone call, send a personal email, read an online paper, playing a round of online Scrabble, etc.
…Facebook
…Twitter ( @Blk_Thumbelina)…etc
In the Classroom
In terms of my coursework – and it’s helped me at work as well- I had to realize my learning style. I’m more of a audio-tactile. I find writing down what is heard or needed to be remembered (this is how I get to “touch” the info) helps. When studying, my tutor, mother, friend or even I would read aloud directly from the textbooks, and study guides while I took notes or made index cards. Depending on the class subject, I may ask the professor I can record the lecture, if not already done so via the class or the university Disability Support Services.
Most important:
My Story
I, too have a similar life line, except I was diagnosed in my early 20s. Discovering I have ADD, first by myself (I’m studying Social Sciences) and soon after confirmed by doctors, I made sure I looked into my campus services. For example, I was put in touch with Disability Support Services and they informed me of the services offered, if any. The referred me to the campus Psychologist and she and my regular Psychiatrist became sort of a tag team for me; this was because I also work.
In grade school, I was the “smart girl”, really, this is how people (students, parents, and teachers alike) would refer to me. Not that I’m saying people call me dumb now, but my intelligence was better proven in those years. I was a Talented And Gifted (TAG) student and always was at least a grade level above in classes. I played piano, danced and maintained my grades. Nowadays, I sometimes just feel dumb.
I find it necessary to compartmentalize my life (Work, School, Church, family etc) and try not to blur the lines too much, or it seems as if my life is like an ABC piece of gum (yucky). I am not on meds- I use dance, yoga and some water exercises to calm my nerves and center my train of thought along with other coping mechanisms. I see a counselor regularly and try to maintain some sort of a routine (I don’t have a cow when it doesn’t end up as planned... well…not too much).
How I Cope...
I make lists, using pen and paper, and literally cross items off as I complete them; I sometimes make one of what I done, like a reverse to do list-surprisingly this helps too.
I also set up a reward system for my day, or when I need to complete a certain task-including studying. The rewards aren’t like $$$ or even a new pair of shoes, it’s more like the following:
At work:
When a task, a portion of a project is complete or I’ve been working consistently for say, 45minutes… my treat is a walk around the office to get a piece of candy off a co workers desk.
…a glass of water
…I may actually take a break and walk around the block, make a phone call, send a personal email, read an online paper, playing a round of online Scrabble, etc.
…Twitter ( @Blk_Thumbelina)…etc
In the Classroom
In terms of my coursework – and it’s helped me at work as well- I had to realize my learning style. I’m more of a audio-tactile. I find writing down what is heard or needed to be remembered (this is how I get to “touch” the info) helps. When studying, my tutor, mother, friend or even I would read aloud directly from the textbooks, and study guides while I took notes or made index cards. Depending on the class subject, I may ask the professor I can record the lecture, if not already done so via the class or the university Disability Support Services.
Most important:
DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP. REWARD YOUR TRIUMPHS AND LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES. ASK FOR HELP ALWAYS (just for back-up).
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