ADHD Center for Success

Listen to the AUDIO MP3 version of the WCQS radio interview as CoachRudy discusses the topic “Adults with ADHD”. The LIVE radio interview occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 with WCQS Public Radio commentator, David Hurand.

Click here: wcqs-intervew-with-coachrudy-adult-adhd1

In recognition of National ADHD Awareness Week, CoachRudy will be highlighted in a LIVE radio interview on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. He will interviewed by local commentator, David Hurand on WCQS Public Radio in Asheville, NC. The topic is “Adults with ADHD”.

You can listen to the LIVE interview from the Asheville area on WCQS at 88.1 on the dial. You can also listen to WCQS Online at: www.WCQS.org and connect via your preferred media player.

Michael Phelps has suddenly become THE poster child for Attention Deficit Disorder – diagnosed at the age of nine and told by a teacher that he would never achieve in life. Of course, Michael proved his teacher wrong. Through pure dedication, persistence and a clear, unobstructed vision, Michael DID achieve his Olympic goal of winning ‘Nine Gold Olympic Medals’. Michael is truly a wonderful inspiration to youth and adults with ADHD.

Here’s what Michael says on ‘Sacrifice and Learning from Mistakes’:

On Sacrifice
“Growing up in high school, I wasn’t hanging out with friends every day or on the weekends. Doing normal high-school things was something I was willing to give up.”

Phelps stepped out and devoted himself to a seemingly unachievable goal. Hard work does in fact pay off, and by applying your talents and avoiding the temptation to divert along the way, you’ll reach your own podium.  

Learning from Mistakes
“Having my DUI happen was a learning experience. Being in a college environment, it’s my job to try and help make sure people don’t make the same mistake I made. I’ve learned so much, just from having an experience like that, and I think I’ve gown up more from that experience than from before.”

Much like your own, Phelps’ life isn’t without setbacks, failings and challenges. Following his DUI arrest at 19, Phelps visited several elementary schools, warning children about the importance of making good choices. By accepting responsibility for his actions, Michael learned from his mistake and made the best of an unfortunate situation.

I came across this interesting article titled: “Skepticism suddenly disappears when list of symptoms hits home”. The author makes some interesting points worth honest consideration so I thought I’d pass it along to my readers.

Skepticism suddenly disappears when list of symptoms hits home

I was thumbing through an old issue of Newsweek waiting for my daughter at the orthodontist’s the other day and came a cross an article about adult ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It turns out it’s not just for kids anymore.

I read the article with some skepticism. I have thought for a long time that ADHD is over-diagnosed. When a kid has trouble sitting through a school day or can’t seem to connect with his teachers, there’s the temptation to slap the ADHD label on him and prescribe medication.

Read more: http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080828/OPINION02/808280301

In recognition of ADHD Awareness Week ADDClasses.com is hosting the first ever week long ADHD Awareness Marathon www.adhdawareness.org.

Beginning on Sunday, September 14, 2008, at 12:00 am EDT all the way through Saturday, September 20, 2008, at 11:59 pm EDT, ADHD experts will answer Your Attention Deficit Disorder related questions!

You will have the choice of submitting your questions by:

Telephone
Electronic Message Board Forum
Chat Room

Not only can you get your questions answered from the comfort of your own home but in recognition of ADHD Awareness Week the ADHD Awareness Marathon is completely FREE.

The majority of adults who now know they have AD/HD were not diagnosed until they were adults. This means they have had to suffer through much of their lives without knowing the reason for the difficulties they have had. Without having the advantage of understanding their disability, most have developed strategies on their own to help them cope with their AD/HD-related problems. The pressure of dealing with these issues can lead to depression, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed and a loss of confidence. Some become isolated and withdrawn.
 
Once they have a diagnosis, however, adults have the opportunity to examine their lives and open the door to change. Through treatment and therapy, adults have the opportunity to realize their strengths and weaknesses, and decide what they want to do in order to grow and become the person they want to be.

While the Americans with Disabilities Act protects employees with AD/HD from discrimination in most job settings, the disorder can lead to problems in the workplace. Blurting out inappropriately can compromise the ambience and energy of a work team or relationship with a boss. Disorganization can cause friction between team members. Lost items and missed meetings can lead to loss of professionalism. Lack of good social skills can interfere with client interactions and effective networking opportunities.
 
ADDA recommends some simple, effective interventions that can lead to relationship (and professional) success on the job, including:
 
> Written agendas before meetings and written  minutes afterward to keep assignments straight.
 
> Frequent communication and accountability by email, phone and face-to-face meetings.
 
> Written assignments rather than quick hallway discussions.
 
> Clear job descriptions with specific deadlines.

When students leave the parental nest and head off to college, they have to take a lot more responsibility for themselves. While academic issues might be expected, there are also relationship issues that often arise. High frustration levels can lead to poor self-esteem and isolation, while lack of social skills can lead to inappropriate behavior, such as spending too much time socializing.
 
According to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), supportive strategies such as practicing good self-care, getting enough exercise and rest, and learning ways to reduce stress can help keep academics and relationships on target. Additionally, working with a coach (see sidebar) or peer study group can keep the student with AD/HD on an even keel, providing a steadying influence in the free-for-all of college life.
 
College students also often embark on their first serious romantic relationships, which can be negatively impacted by their AD/HD. (See Affairs of the Heart, below.)

It all starts in childhood, with the relationship between parent and child. The average onset of AD/HD is age three, and this is also the time when parents begin seriously working on expectations and discipline. But due to the impulsivity, inattentiveness and over-activity of the child, behavior problems and conflicts often ensue, and the parent-child relationship may suffer.

Once your child is diagnosed, CHADD recommends that you always work closely with a treatment professional. The best in research shows that the most effective treatment includes:

· Parent training
· Behavioral intervention strategies
· An appropriate educational program
· Education regarding AD/HD
· Medication, when necessary

Parents may try a variety of strategies to help engender and maintain a healthy parent-child connection, including the following:

· Give unconditional love
· Be clear about expectations
· Establish a proactive discipline system
· Identify and build upon strengths
· Seek help as needed

Interacting with childhood peers
Children with AD/HD may appear shy and withdrawn or overly aggressive, depending upon their behaviors, which may lead their peers to stay away. Additionally, AD/HD children may not have picked up social skills that are usually acquired through incidental learning. In these and other ways, AD/HD often has a negative impact on childhood relationships with peers, which are important to a child’s happiness and long-term development. Research indicates that children with peer problems may also be at higher risk for anxiety, behavioral and mood disorders, substance abuse, and delinquency as teenagers.

The teen years – difficult for any child
Almost no child comes through adolescence unscathed, and these years can be particularly painful for children with ADHD as they become more self-aware and the acceptance of their peers becomes paramount. While continuing the strategies started in childhood, keeping a close lookout for depression, anxiety and other mental health strategies can help your teen through these difficult years.

Parents need to keep adequate structure and supervision for their adolescent, while encouraging appropriate independence-seeking. Enforce key rules consistently, but be open to negotiation on issues that may be flexible. The idea is to help your teen move toward responsibility for him or herself while providing a supportive, encouraging, positive environment.

Additionally, check into peer advising programs that may be offered at your school or in your community, which can be particularly helpful for teenagers.

Many people think of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) as a condition that only affects children, and primarily impacts school and learning. Individuals and professionals active with Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) know that AD/HD can persist throughout a person’s lifetime, and can affect every aspect of one’s efforts to build and sustain relationships.
 
In recognition of AD/HD Awareness Week (September 14-20) ADDA, Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), and ADDitude Magazine have joined forces to raise the public’s understanding of the impact that AD/HD can have on personal relationships throughout an individual’s lifetime.

This year’s theme- “From First Years to Golden Years: AD/HD and Life’s Relationships” – focuses on the key times in one’s life that AD/HD poses relationship challenges and provides resources and recommendations for addressing them. Areas addressed throughout this year’s awareness campaign will include childhood, college, workplace interactions, romantic relationships, and adulthood.
 
“There is so much the public does not understand about AD/HD that the stigma, myths and misinformation surrounding this disorder are rampant,” stressed Linda Anderson, ADDA president. “Education via awareness-building is the key to providing understanding and hope.”
 
The ADHD Center for Success will publish a series of articles from this awareness campaign throughout the month of September highlighting those issues pertaining to adults with ADHD. Topics will include: “Off to College”, “Workplace Interactions”, “Romantic Relationships”, and “AD/HD In Adulthood and Beyond”.