ADD Training

[missy]

I am looking for some type of hands on training for my 21 year old son and myself. There is no type of training offered here where we are. The psychiatrist didn't have any suggestions except to start our own support group. Does anyone know of anything offered online or the best books available now on ADD?

[bugsmom]

Hi Missy ;D

I'm not sure what type of ADD training that you are looking for. Can you be more specific as to the type of help or training you and your son need? I know my son gets a lot of help from his therapist, not his psychiatrist. They work one on one in the areas that are tough for him. He see's her once a month, but will see her more if issues arise. Over the summer he goes every two weeks to get geared up for the new school year.

As for books, my favorite is still "Driven to Distraction." Its been around forever, but is still my favorite. I know a lot of hospitals or University's have support groups for ADD. Our church even has a support group for ADDers, so maybe a large church in your area might be an idea to look at.

I know its hard to find support sometimes. When my son was younger, there was not much out there. It seems like there is a lot more support in my area now.

[missy]

bugsmom,
I don't know how to help him besides fussing about what he needs to be doing. He has tried college at two different universities but failed many of his classes. My husband told him he was going to have to pay for college from now on. Well, he doesn't have a job and is not aggressively looking for one. That may sound like he is lazy and unmotivated and while this may be true, it's not that simple. He never got in trouble in school. He just said he felt stupid and didn't do his work most of the time, but he did enough to get by and graduate high school with a lot of pushing and demands from us, his parents. I feel like if I were somewhat educated, and I am not, daydreamed in school, didn't do well at all, and didn't go to college. I just finished technical college but it was hard for me. I have a lot of trouble with memory. So while I made good grades for the most part at technical college I can't remember what I learned. Also if I were to say read an article, I would not be able to repeat to you what I had read. So, reallly, it would be like the blind leading the blind I guess. I thought that maybe someone would have certain strategies they have used to help their child succeed. First though, I need to learn all I can about how the ADD mind works.

[charliegirl]

Welcome Missy!

Have you tried medications for you and/or your son? They can make a world of difference. You could also try Omega fatty acids as they help some also.

As for doing anything you can't concentrate on well enough to remember, try very small amounts at a time. If you need to learn from a book or article, try taking it a paragraph or even 1 thought at a time. Make sure you understand that, then take a break to give it time to sink in. Go back and deal with another little bit.

The trick for me is to break everything down into manageable amounts. Even with cleaning sometimes I have to decide on several small steps to accomplish what I want, then do them one at a time. That way I am getting something done, I can recognize something completed and have the motivation to go on to the next step. Its much less overwhelming.

There is a lot more to dealing with ADHD than this but its a start and please post about specific things you are dealing with. We can advise you one step at a time.