10 Keys to Conquering ADD in the Office by Sandy Maynard

10 Keys to Conquering ADD in the Office

Time management and organization help for adults who want to conquer ADHD at the office and advance at work.

If you're ready to climb the corporate ladder but feel like someone tore the steps to success out of your company handbook, don't worry. Women (and men) with attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD) often encounter procrastination, communication, and organization problems both professionally and personally, but that doesn't have to mean you're perpetually doomed to entry-level work.

ADHD can indeed cause problems at work, but here are ten ways you can conquer them:

1. Communicate Clearly

Ask questions to understand your assignment fully. Repeat directions that you are given to make sure you have heard them correctly. Ask for specific deadlines, so you know that what is being asked is really doable. If not, address the issue immediately. Do not wait until it is too late and you are forced to bring work home.

2. Get a Handle on Procrastination

Don't let perfectionism thwart your ability to get things done. Ask yourself how you can make it quick and simple. Try bulleting items in memos and calling instead of e-mailing.

3. Limit the Length of Phone Conversations

Time flies when we're on the phone. A call that should take five minutes can easily turn into 45. Preface each call with a time limit by starting out with, "Hi, Thomas. I have only five minutes, but I wanted to give you a quick call to let you know... " The person on the other end will most likely respond appropriately by making their comments short and to the point.

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I found this website today and created a login and gave it a try. 

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Perfect for adults and kids alike. 

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Introduction (Part Three)

(Cont'd from Part One and Part Two)

This part of my story will be a sort of "fast-forward" through about 13 years. In a nutshell, many years went by without anything being done about the "supposed" but very suspected diagnosis. Fears such as, "What if the medication doesn't work?" or "What if things don't really change?" might have kept hubby from pursuing help. In the meantime, I began harboring resentment. Because, again, if he really cared more about me, he would go and get some help. (I was still living under the false pretense that a simple pill would cure all.) We were both acting out of selfishness and refusing to see our situation through the other's eyes. What I didn't understand then that I am beginning to understand today is that ADHD cannot be avoided or helped. The person with ADHD is not to be at the center of blame. ADHD is not something that will be outgrown, so this person will be dealing with this challenge for a lifetime to come. The person(s) who live with a diagnosed ADHDer cannot stick their head in the sand and take a "hands off" approach. Frustration will come, believe me, but keeping things in perspective is a must. There are days when it will be very difficult and there are days that will be very rewarding.

Another concept I am beginning to embrace is that ADHD doesn't have a "uniform". It can manifest itself in different ways within different people. The "box" doesn't exist. Therefore, treatments will vary in success as well. As we are in the beginning of the journey of diagnosis and treatment, patience for me is a must as we go through trials and studies and strategies. Hubby must find what works for him and I must learn that it is probably not going to be what works for me. It doesn't even have to make sense for me as long as it works for him and helps him to be successful.

As we move into testing in the next few weeks for our child, I am anxious, but maybe not for the reason you suspect. I am not anxious about the outcome as we are fairly certain of what that outcome will be. I am anxious about being the right kind of mom, gaining enough understanding and compassion to be able to be helpful and not hurtful, and strengthening our relationship rather than causing damage.

I feel as if I can't soak in enough information. I have four books on the way, I'm constantly scouring the internet for articles. I am learning, which I know is the first step for me. One thing I consistently find...ADHD is highly manageable given the right relationship with medical professionals who lead to successful strategies. Don't settle for anything less.

What You Need to Know About the Americans with Disabilities Act by ADDitude (Magazine) Editors

The Americans with Disabilities Act includes ADHD as a disability. Find out what it means for you.

What is the ADA?

The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, was established by Congress in 1990. The purpose of the law is to end discrimination in the workplace and to provide equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

What employers are covered by the ADA?

The ADA applies to businesses with 15 or more employees. This includes:

• private employers
• state and local governments
• employment agencies
• labor organizations
• and labor-management committees

Is ADHD included in the ADA?

Yes. The ADA provides for "mental" conditions or mental illnesses, but as with physical impairments, the diagnosis of a mental illness or mental impairment is not sufficient to qualify an employee for protection under the Act.

The following conditions must be met for ADHD to qualify for coverage:

• It must cause significant impact or limitation in a major life activity or function
• The individual must be regarded as having a disability
• The individual must have a record of having been viewed as being disabled.
• The applicant must also be able to perform the essential job functions with or without accommodations to qualify as an individual with a disability under the meaning of the Act.

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The Key to the Best Outcome by Dr. Edward Hallowell

The Key to the Best Outcome

People often ask me, “What’s the key to getting the best outcome in working with ADD?”

There is no one key.  Watch out for simplistic solutions and the people who offer them.  There is no one best remedy, there is no one best system, there is no one best medication or nutritional supplement.  And what works for one person will not necessarily work for you or your child.

However, having treated ADD in children and adults for over 25 years now, and having ADD as well as dyslexia myself, I can say with absolute certainty that while there is no one key, we do have a marvelous assortment of keys that open many of the doors untreated ADD can seem to close.  The doors to success, personal fulfillment, joy, health, and lifelong satisfaction.

“The key” is to find the various keys that work for you.


"The great mistake people make as they work with their ADD or their child’s is settling for less than the best outcome.  Please don’t make that mistake yourself." - Dr. Edward Hallowell


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Introduction (Part Two)

(Cont'd from Part One...)

As I was driving home that day, I was trying to figure out a way to breach this subject and to let hubby know that I had made a new discovery and this would definitely solve all our problems! (Remember, I was also living in a "false" reality.) It was several days before I was able to approach hubby with my findings as communication wasn't our best feature. Most discussions ended up in a fight with me giving out a generous serving of the silent treatment (at least, until I felt better) and hubby internalizing more reasons why I must really regret having married him.

The conversation actually went much better than I expected. Hubby was also surprised to see the information I shared as he had struggled through school as a child, not understanding why school was so difficult. I could see the relief in his eyes as he began to catch just a tiny glimpse of the answers to some of his questions he'd carried for years. Hubby promptly made an appointment with our general doctor and was required to fill out a questionnaire. (Keep in mind, this was 15 years ago.)

Let me just insert here that it is SO important to be seen by the right type of doctor as the knowledge has grown immensely in the past 15 years, but it seems that many doctors still are not as knowledgeable as others when it comes to ADHD, be it diagnosing and/or treating.

Back to the doctor visit...The doctor flippantly agreed that hubby probably had ADHD, prescribed him a medication and sent him on his way. Hubby was told that he would need to call the doctor's office for refills on his medication as the doctor would only be able to prescribe 30 days at a time. That is all that was done for him that day.

Now, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that sending a person with ADHD home with a bottle of pills and telling them to take one each day and call in a month for a refill and actually expecting the person to do so is more than a high calling.  This would require the person with ADHD to remember on his/her own to 1.) take the daily medication and 2.) remember to call for a refill and 3.) be motivated to do all the above. Fifteen years ago, made perfect sense to me and if it was as simple as that, hallelujah, things were going to change!

It wasn't long until days went by without hubby taking his med and, um, about that call back to the doc for a refill...yeah, it never happened.

You see, what I understand today is that persons with ADHD (adults and children alike) need much more support than a prescription placed in their hand. They need explanation and understanding as to why they are the way they are. It is not their fault or stupidity at play, it is simply the way their brain is wired and it absolutely can't be helped. This is the first step in understanding for them. Another component to grasp is that ADHD is not something that will go away after a few rounds of meds. One may become successful without meds through other interventions, such as coaching, therapy, etc. Most importantly, a person with ADHD needs help in tackling daily challenges. The medication is not magic and is not a cure, but is a tool by which challenges can be faced head on when before, challenges were too overwhelming.

(To be cont'd...)

Keep reading:
Part Three

The ADHD Diagnostic Bubble by Manuel Mota-Castillo, MD

The ADHD Diagnostic Bubble.

“My hometown has this problem, when they don’t know what is wrong with your child, they say it is ADHD”(A frustrated mother)

“He will blurt things out; he does not know when it is time to joke around and when it is not… He will ask the silliest questions, like: What if an elephant can stand on mom’s head?” “What if a person comes out of a comic book, what would happen?”

With these words a Floridian mother described the behavior of the child whose story I chose to begin my debate over the inflated ADHD statistic. I perceive this case as a portrait of maternal courage and determination because when the question was:

Should I allow the school official to scare me or stand firm for my son’s well-being?

She opted for the latter and stopped the 30 mgs of Ritalin their pediatrician was prescribing for an alleged ADHD diagnosis that was actually made by the boy’s teacher. The busy physician didn’t hear the mother’s concerns about the worsening of behaviors, after the medication was started and decided to rely on the educator’s judgment. Frustrated but vindicated, the mother said:

“The school wanted him back on Ritalin. His teacher threatened to send him back every day that he misbehaved. I told her: do it!.”

Then she gave the following family history:
“His Dad is exactly like him… my father-in law has depression and on my side of the family, my mother had “manic-depression” and she died 3 weeks ago… my aunt has depression and my brother is a bad case of OCD.”

This boy’s Mental Status Examination showed an above average intelligence and good concentration. His artistic skills are evident in this drawing of a “new Picachu.”
After one sees a talented boy with a clearly elevated mood and a family history loaded with mood problems, the question is:

What kind of rationale could have been followed to diagnose a child like this with ADHD?


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