Social situations may be very difficult for some people with ADHD (Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder). They don't seem to have the type of antenna which picks up the nuances and undertones of social interactions. They often are not aware of how other people are feeling or how they appear to others.
1. Stop, look, listen, repeat
Listening is difficult for many people but especially people with ADD.
* Stop what you are doing. If you are a hyperactive motor mouth, you are talking. If you are inattentive, you are probably in a reverie about yesterday's mishap or tomorrow's party.
* Look make eye contact with your interlocutor to show him/her that you are listening. Eye contact helps to keep you focused on what is being said.
* Listen to what is said.
* Repeat back the essentials of what was said to verify your understanding.
Many years ago two air planes collided, one was taking off as the other landed. The plane taking off had received a command from the control tower: "You are cleared for take off". The pilot couldn't know that the transmission system had blinked like an ADD brain by losing the little word "NOT". But the pilot failed to follow established protocol to repeat back the command received.
2. Bodies talk. Learn to understand them
Body language conveys more than 65% of your message. Does your body say what you mean? Do you understand what other bodies are telling you?
* Eye contact. The eyes point to where your attention is.
* Body posture relaxed turned toward your interlocutor.
3. The tone of your voice says more than your words
Voice tone conveys your emotions and counts for about 30% of the message. Listen to yourself; do you sound angry, whining, or bored? Listen carefully to others. People with ADHD often misinterpret the emotions of others. If in doubt ask quietly "Are you angry with me?"
4. Be interested in others
People with ADHD may be so engrossed in their own world that other people seem like blurs. Stop, take the time to say "Good Morning. How are you?" and listen to the response. Find out if they have children, what their favorite activity is. This does not mean that you need to become bosom pals; this is just normal social discourse which helps to make life a bit more comfortable for everyone.
5. Use names
You don't remember names? Here's an exercise to help you remember people. Cut pictures of people out of a magazine. Study each face for at least five minutes. Learn something about the person: something unique or unusual.
6. Count to ten before you explode
Many people with ADD have problems with anger. They tend to see the world through their own unique glasses; when others don't agree with them, they get frustrated and blow up. Do a post mortem on one of these occasions and identify the triggers which led to the melt down. Were you hungry? Tired? Have a friend or spouse make a video of you. When you recognize the feeling of an impending disaster, take a walk.
Sarah Jane Keyser worked for many years with computers as programmer, analyst, and user trainer, but her struggle with inattentive ADD kept getting in the way of her plans and dreams. Once ADD was identified and the great need that coaching filled, she added ADD Coach training (ADDCoach Academy) to complete her preparation for a new career as ADD Coach.
Learn more about ADHD at http://www.CoachingKeytoADD.com or sign up for Zebra Stripes, a free E-zine for ADHD at Click here
Solutions to ADHD
It wasn't a surprise to find out that Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) has ranked as one of the most frequent neurological impairments all over America as it mostly hits on children. The disorder has affected more or less five percent or in figures it is roughly 2 million of the entire population. As a justification, experts have hypothesized that in every American classroom you could anticipate to find a child suffering from ADHD.
Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD as it is more commonly known, is characterized by restlessness and impulsivity. Though extensive studies have been done and are ongoing, much is still to be learnt about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder). Symptoms vary so greatly in different individuals that it makes the diagnosis and treatment of ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder) very difficult. ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder) can occur in childhood, but so many of its symptoms are associated with the growing pains of childhood and diagnosis is often delayed. If treatment of ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder) is not begun in childhood then the conditions will usually continue into adulthood and then manifest themselves in ...
Understanding The Glyconutrients Adhd Link - Not All Sugars Are Bad
It is a common notion today that too much intake of refined sugar could lead to health threats such as diseases, disorders and a number of conditions that could adversely affect our normal living. Because of this, food manufacturers have produced products that are now low in sugar. However, the problem with processed foods whether they are low in refined sugar or not is that when food is processed, many of the essential nutrients, minerals, acids, and natural sugars and Glyconutrients are lost. So how does this impact the Glyconutrients ADHD link?
Some Thoughts on Counseling Goals for ADHD
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Every therapist will have their own opinions, but I'll give you some of my thoughts.
First, it is important to teach the child or teen with ADHD how to recognize problems and how to solve problems.
ADHD: A Dialogue With a Non-Believer, part three
Dear Sir,
It was with some interest that I read the article What You Should Know About Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward W. after having it handed to me by a member of our church.
Diagnosing ADHD in Children, an Introduction
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children or adults is going to have their own opinion on how Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADD or ADHD - should be diagnosed. Some clinics take the perspective that "more is good," and will recommend a large battery of tests, often costing many thousands of dollars.
Designing a Calm ADD / ADHD Home Atmosphere
Attention Deficit Disorder is a mild brain disorder that
is passed down from parent to child.If one parent has Adult ADHD, then their child has a 50%
chance of inheriting it.
Online Business Podcasting Expo Jan 19-21, 2007 Offers Seminars For Overcoming Challenges for ADHD Entrepreneurs, Quickbook Training, Outlook Tips, Po
The Business Podcasting Expo is an Online Audio/Visual Business Conference with seminars including ADHD Challenges for Entrepreneurs, Quickbook Training, Outlook Tips, and Installing WordPress. The BizPodExpo also offers introductory classes on Podcasting, and how to increase your search engine ranking using this audio/video social media. There will be thousands of dollars worth of giveaways and prizes, and a Data DVD of all recorded seminars is included with full Admission. The event is sponsored by Co-Op World and PodcastDirectories4Sale.com
Is ADHD a Real Disease?
The vast majority of Ritalin and Adderall is given to school children to treat an alleged disease called ADHD. Children who suffer from ADHD are said to be inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive.
Using Behavioral Therapy For The Relief Of Adhd
Children who suffer from ADHD often experience difficulties at home or in school. What can be seen as unruly behavior in young children can become overwhelming in children as they reach their teens. They may perform badly in their academic work, become involved in fights or struggle to make friends. Some end up being moved from one school to another due to disruptive behavior. So it?s important to try and find relief of ADHD while children are young.
The Three Best Alternative Treatments for ADHD
There are a LOT of alternative treatments for sale out there for people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder who would rather not have to use a strong medication such as Ritalin. Some of these are good, some are fair, and some are bad.
A New Affordable Therapy for ADD/ADHD
All the research over the past 40 years shows clearly that EEG biofeedback training (aka Neurofeedback or Neurotherapy training) is by far the most effective therapy for ADD/ADHD with a "cure" rate of 85% or greater.
Fish Oil May Improve Behavior for Children With ADHD
A study published in the Nutrition Journal reveals that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can improve their behavior with daily supplements of purified fish oils. The eight-week study demonstrated that children who received between 8 and 16 grams of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils per day were observed to have significant behavioral improvements.
In Response to Recent Survey on a Natural Remedy for ADHD, NourishLife Announces a Free Sample Give-Away
Due to a lack of public awareness concerning the relationship between omega-3 deficiency in children and ADHD, NourishLife is giving away free samples of Learn - its omega-3 product specifically formulated for school-aged children.
The Most Innovative New Approach for ADHD, a Natural Remedy
What's new and effective in the treatment of Attention problems? A powerful intervention that is clinically tested with computerized testing, not merely parent reports, has been available to the public since 1997, but is little known.
It is an over the counter product that contains specific Amino Acid combinations, Essential Fatty Acids, Phospholipid complexes, and Homeopathic Medicines.