The month of October is ADHD Awareness Month.  It also marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of Driven to Distraction.
       
How far we've come since 1994 in our nation's collective awareness of ADHD.  But how far we have yet to go!
       
I think it's deserved for us all to pat ourselves on the back a bit for joining together to educate the public about ADHD.  But the timing is also propitious to sound the alert as to how much more there is to be done.
       
Stigma still retards progress.  Factions still prevent the unified efforts that would bring greatest success.  Children still suffer in schools unnecessarily, and millions of adults who have ADHD still don't know they have it.  New non-medication treatments are emerging, but we need more research to validate them and develop new ones.

Place a call to one of our new patient specialists:

New York City:  212 799-7777

        
Boston, MA: 978 287-0810 

San Francisco: 415 967-0061 

Start the School Year Strong:

• Organization
• Goal Setting
• Time Management
• Focusing
• Problem Solving

London, UK ADDSpark Workshops Dr. Hallowell's workshop features his Strength based approached.

Are You ADD - A new film about ADHD by Director Wes Gray is currently in production. The documentary will be focused on the personal stories of several individuals who have ADHD (or ADD) some not knowing until they were adults.The damage ADHD can cause when it is not diagnosed will be explored as well as the oftentimes amazing turnaround that treatment can bring. You can play a role in helping make this film a success! Can we count on you? We want to change the way people think about ADHD. Click here for more: areyouadd.com

Q: I have concerns about a child in my classroom. Do you have a list of characteristics that someone with ADHD may exhibit? I would like to share that with his parents.
 
A: Diagnosing ADHD can only be accomplished by a trained medical professional, however, in Driven to Distraction, Dr. Ratey and I list twenty common symptoms in a person with ADD or ADHD.

20 Suggested Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD:

1. A sense of underachievement, of not meeting one's goals (regardless of how much one has accomplished)
2. Difficulty getting organized
3. Chronic procrastination or trouble getting started
4. Many projects going simultaneously; trouble with follow-through
Read More

 

much has changed, but much still the same ...

We asked our Facebook Family what ADHD means to them. Here are some of the responses:

"To consider what it would feel like to have no leg and people are telling you that you don't have something wrong and just to walk."

"My husband and daughter have ADHD....A room can go from zero to 110%....In 2 seconds flat...just by walking through the doorway"

"Everyone should be so lucky to be born thinking outside of the box!"

"It means I can do a lot of things at once. ( yes I know it doesn't mean I will finish them all, but I try my best.) It means I am different and unique... I am special. I wouldn't change a thing about me. I am a better ADHD person because of you, and your books which helped me to do this all naturally, I try my best to pay attention, make list,and do things right.( the Adhd way)"

"It means I have the most awesome 10 year old granddaughter who is amazing and very very creative!"

 

"It's a double-edged sword - a curse & a blessing. But it's in school that it seems to be the worst - perhaps because it's the least flexible/accommodating environment."

Many more on Facebook!  

Rebecca Shafir, M.A., C.C.C.

Unresolved conflict can be destructive. It polarizes thinking and leads to morale problems, secrecy, reduced flow of information, wasted time and money and decision-making paralysis.

The longer we wait to resolve the issues, the more destructive it becomes. Conflict is just plain uncomfortable and when it comes to disputes and arguments with family, friends and co-workers, we tend to procrastinate and stuff the bad feelings.

We have four basic needs, that when violated, spark conflict:

• to feel valued and recognized for our contributions
• to be in control
• to have self-esteem
• to be consistent and save face

Those of us with ADHD have distinct advantages when it comes to resolving disputes? From our point of view:

1) Conflict and differences of opinion are interesting and keeps one's attention.
2) There are many creative ways to re-frame adversity - it is a learning experience, a way to build bridges, etc.
3) It's an opportunity to use one's intuitive gift to go beyond the words to a level of better understanding of the others needs.
4) Whether the conflict can be resolved or not, it makes possible the chance to open the eyes and ears of others to understand you.

Take action. Start with yourself. How do you manage conflict?  Do you...  Read More
Rebecca Shafir, Speech/language pathologist, and the Coordinator of Alternative and Complementary Services at the Hallowell Center, can be reached for consultation at the Boston Hallowell Center 978 287 0810.  

A few months ago I sent you an email about Focus@Will an internet based audio service, which improves focus and attention substantially. Since that first email, I'm happy to report that many of my patients have begun using Focus@Will with great success and I, myself, have remained a devoted customer.

The science behind the service is simple. Using specially designed audio streams, Focus@Will triggers a more relaxed brain state, and the result is greater focus for extended periods of time. Needless to say, for those with ADD or ADHD, this is a potential "game changer". I've had several patients integrate the service into their lives, and it has had tangible, meaningful benefits. Here are a few testimonials from some Focus@Will customers:

"There are a very few services that I can claim have changed my life. Focus@Will is one of them. Hyper-focus, extreme productivity. A++."

"I am a computer programmer with a serious ADHD based focus problem and I really dislike meds, thank you guys for what you are doing, it works."

I believe in Focus@Will so much that I've agreed to advise the company and help them market the product for which I am compensated.

Now the really good news. Focus@Will is free. Well, free for 30 days at least. To sign up for your 30 Day Free Trial, please click here. There is really no downside. If it works (and it does for most), you've changed your life or the life of your loved ones for the better.

I hope you'll try Focus@Will and please send me success stories, if you have them.
Ned Hallowell