Attention

ADHD Friendly Ways to pack for a trip

Overstuffed Stuffed Suitcase

Do you have a trip planned sometime soon? Travel can often be very stressful for someone with ADHD. There are a lot of new things to remember outside our normal routines. If you’re anything like me, the stressful thing about packing is that it’s one of those open-ended tasks that relies heavily on me remembering things.

At best, that can be a source of huge stress for ADHDers and at worst can be a recipe for disaster. – Gotcha there – remember the ADHD Weekly Podcast episode Words Matter? Actually the chances of disaster are relatively small from packing mishaps. When we use language like Disaster, we create a monster in our minds that adds to the stress. I do recall the time I went on a long trip and left “the hanging clothes” on the bed at home. I ended up having to buy a shirt and borrow a tie. (and ultimately did not die:-)

But I digress. Open-tasks are a challenge for me in general. The trick is to turn them in to LOT’s (less open-ended tasks). More on that in a future post.

Read the rest here!

Our Coaching Philosophy at Hyperfocused Coaching Systems

Many people that have ADHD or ADHD traits are unaware of the common thread that runs through both the challenges and successes in their lives. My coaching philosophy is designed to identify and explore each client’s unique gifting and strengths, so that they can build on them. I include the word System in the name of my company because I believe it’s possible to co-develop systems that support the client in building layers of success on a daily basis.

I want my clients to achieve success in all the important areas in their lives. I believe this can be achieved by understanding our dreams and passions, our strengths and abilities, and our personality characteristics as well as understanding how our ADHD manifests itself. As a person with ADHD myself, I understand the challenges that we go through; sometimes decades of looking for that missing ingredient that lets us live our full potential.

As a professional coach, I work with creative entrepreneurs and professionals to identify their dreams and passions and to begin living out their potential.

There are several characteristics that set me apart from other coaches. First, I have over 20 years of business experience from small entrepreneurial companies to Fortune 100 corporate giants. I know what it takes to be successful in the business/career part of our lives. Second, I have studied personal productivity and success principles for over 25 years. This has helped me to develop a system for achieving success in life. Finally, having been diagnosed with ADHD, I am a walking testimony to life change through having a great coach.

Should I be diagnosed?

There are many reasons to obtain a formal diagnosis of ADHD. However, it’s not always necessary.

A diagnosis of ADHD means that some of the ADHD traits that a person has are significant enough to have a negative impact on their life. It is certainly possible sometimes to get help with creating structures or finding just the right niche that allows a person with ADHD to live in the area of their strengths and not have their ADHD be a significant problem.

There are three main reasons for getting an official ADHD diagnosis. The first and probably most important is that a person just wants to know definitively what has been causing the challenges that they’ve had throughout their life in this area.

Another reason is that a person might want to try and ADHD medication as part of the treatment plan.

A third reason, is that a person, child or adult, may need an accommodation in school work to help them be as as successful as possible in their chosen endeavor.

70% – 80% of my personal clients have an official diagnosis of ADHD.

How is ADHD diagnosed?

How is ADHD diagnosed?

A diagnosis of ADHD is reached after an assessment by a doctor. The doctor might be an M.D., psychiatrist, or a psychologist. Currently, when evaluating any mental health concerns, doctors use something called the Diagnostic Statistical Manual DSM-IV to help them reach a diagnosis. The traits of inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity are often traits that all of us have, the difference for people with ADHD is that these symptoms are pervasive to the extent that they have a negative impact on the person’s life.

There is no such thing as adult onset of ADHD, we either had as a child or we don’t have it. For this reason one of the most important parts of the diagnostic process is gathering historical information from the patient, as well as parents, family members, and spouses. It’s important to get information from various sources is often the person with ADHD may not be as aware of the symptoms as someone who has spent significant time with them. Often old report cards and comments from teachers provide good objective evidence. In addition to the patient’s history, there are also some test of attention, and even some new brain mapping technology that can help doctors reach a conclusion.

It’s important when seeking a diagnosis, that we find a doctor who is experienced with ADHD and has a good foundation in making an ADHD diagnosis. Sometimes, it’s difficult to find doctors who have experience with ADHD in the adult population.

Build Foundations for a Great New Year