Diane Ladd's ADD to Life CoachingFinding Focus and Fun

ADHD/ADD (for our purposes here, I’ll call it ADD) is a biological, nuerobiological brain difference that has many symptoms. Not all people with ADD have the same characteristics, and ADD almost always manifests itself differently in each person.

One symptom of ADD is inattentiveness. The crazy thing is, children and adults with ADD can pay attention to things they enjoy doing and sometimes do this to the point of hyperfocus. “She doesn’t have ADD,” a loved one, teacher or parent might say, “She can pay attention when she wants to!”

Unfortunately, some things that people with ADD find uninteresting, boring or difficult can be impossible to listen to, look at or do. I know this lack of attention happens to everyone at some point, but those with ADD experience it most of the time, and it has a major effect on their day-to-day life. Parents are baffled when their child is able to spend hours in front of a video game, but can’t sit for ten minutes to do homework.

People may not even realize that their attention is being diverted. All they know is that they “never have enough time,” or that “things take them longer” than other people.

If you feel your attention is being diverted, or you find yourself never having enough time, try Your 3 Steps to Attention:

1. Estimate how long your task may take. This is a very important step! Those with ADD do not have a good grasp of the passage of time and usually have NO IDEA how long it takes to do things. You don’t have to be right or perfect, just take a guess and write it down.
2. Schedule the task. When do you have enough time to begin and complete this task? Pencil it in.
3. Time yourself.  Set a timer, start your task and complete it.

Whether or not your first attempt at Your 3 Steps is successful, is not the important part. The important piece of this is what you learn from the experience. You may want to contemplate the following coaching questions:

• Was the estimated time accurate?
• Did you overestimate or underestimate the time?
• What kept you on task?
• What caused you to get off task?
• What worked to get you back on?
• What strategies can you use to stay on task?

ADHD/ADD Coaching can help you to become aware of how ADD is affecting your day-to-day life and to build strategies. Your 3 Steps to Attention is a tool I use with my clients to build awareness and develop workable techniques. The coaching piece is vital for accountability, brainstorming strategies and reworking the plan to get the best results for you. If you want to learn more about ADHD/ADD Coaching, contact me!

ADHD coaching is about moving forward and creating structures that support this process. When a client contacts me for coaching, I want to determine if this person is ready to move forward and take steps to create a more fulfilling life.

Here are some things to consider if you are thinking about hiring an ADHD Coach.

 You’re ready for coaching when you can:
• Admit that ADHD is causing some trouble or disruption in your life
• You want change and agree to spend the necessary time and energy to create change
• You want to learn about ADHD and how it affects your life
• You want to learn about yourself

Here are some signs that might tell me that you’re not ready:
• You won’t admit that there is a reason to change or are resistant to change
• You often blame others and make excuses for your misfortune
• You think you’ve already learned everything there is to know about ADHD
• You abuse alcohol or drugs and refuse to receive help
• You struggle with a mental illness and refuse to seek help

When talking with you in our initial meetings, I want to hear:
• Curiosity
• Realistic expectations
• A vision for the future
• Taking responsibility for past shortcomings and a desire to move forward
• A willingness to try new perspectives
• An open mind and an open heart

If you think you are ready for coaching, I would love to talk with you! Send me an e-mail or give me a call.

Well, it’s that time of year. The kids are back in school, sports and other activities, and we’re getting into the routine of fall again.

Q: What structures have you set in place for this new schedule?

It may help to schedule time to schedule. Choose an hour a week to review the family’s comings and goings for the week to come. Allow everyone to become involved.

It’s important to aniticipate when scheduling glitches may occur. Others in the family may offer solutions, if given the opportunity to become involved.