So, why does Mind Mapping help with the writing process? In light of the idea that we are asking our brains to do too much at once when we are writing and organizing our thoughts at the same time, it makes sense to separate those processes and focus on one at a time. If we front load the process with all/most of the planning, when we get to the writing it is much easier, faster, and the end product is far better… with far less editing. I’d like to put in an important note about why ADHDers tend not to engage in this planning process of their own volition or even acknowledge that they should. Well, the planning, focus, executive function part is the hardest for us. Yes, the writing precess without planning can be torture. But, at least we get to try to express ourselves, argue a point, and play with language. (Things that many of us enjoy at least a little.) We tend not to want to do all the boring and difficult planning stuff first. Plus, anxiety often plays a role and it feels urgent to just start writing… even if there isn’t much direction there, it can emotionally feel like more is being accomplished because there are words on the page.  I liken it to being  lost in the woods. You can just start walking. It may give you a sense of progress and self determination. You are, in fact, going somewhere! But, what if you aren’t going in the right direction? What if you’re just going in circles? What if you are walking away from the search part? You are much better off taking the time to formulate a plan, even if it means leaving later, but making sure you are going in the right…

It is very hard to get into to see a behavioral health doc at MGH. But, signing up for a clinical trial is an excellent way to get treatment. If they trial drug doesn’t work, they don’t kick you out. You’re their patient then. Check out the link:

I feel that working is the most interesting, most misunderstood, and most important to compensate for of all the executive functions. What working memory is is the ability to hold things in you mind and manipulate them. On a cognitive assessment that would likely be measured by number recall and reverse number recall. (The latter being the most interesting.)  So, what does this have to do with writing a paper? Imagine a hypothetical student who is writing a 7 page history essay. That essay needs a thesis and a conclusion. But in between it need, say, 10 points to prove the thesis. To be a really good paper with a persuasive argument, those points need to be clearly articulated in a logical, linear fashion and transition from one another smoothly without redundancy. And, all of this needs to be done in the context of a well written piece that strongly proves the thesis.  Essentially, what is being asked of the brain is to create language, make a good argument, and organize our thoughts. Without some sort of organizational preparation, we are asking our brains to do all of that at once! This is particularly difficult considering or lack of working memory. Consider trying to put those 10 points in order is you could, literally, only hold 5 of them in your head at a time. (Because that is exactly how our lack of working memory can/does manifest.) It would be nearly impossible. And, without the clarity that organization and structure provide, the writing process is frustrating, laborious, and excruciating. Not to mention the hours of avoiding it in the first place or the hot mess which is editing a totally disorganized paper. Why Mind Mapping? Check back in the next few days for the next tantalizing installment… My Blog Disclaimer:…

What is Mind Mapping? Mind Mapping is a simply a way to organize your thoughts in a visual way. It has many incarnations and many names. I learned it as a “spidergram” when I was young… back in the day. A “Brain Frame” is similar to a Mind Map. I guess you could put them all under the umbrella of “Graphic Organizers.”  So, why are these important and useful tools, particularly for those of us with ADHD? In my experience, writing is usually one of the hardest things for ADHD students, and some adults. I believe that our struggles with writing have little to do with knowledge or content. On the contrary. More often than not, we have plenty of good stuff to say. It is the act of organizing those thoughts in to a coherent, linear, structured narrative that is difficult. Why do ADHD students have such a hard time organizing those thoughts? First, there is always the issue of attention. But for the purpose of this piece, we are assuming that the student has his/her attention affectively managed, likely with medication. But, medication does not directly affect executive functions. In this case the executive functions that are most needed are organization and working memory.  Check out the example of woking memory in the next post. (And, FYI, this has turned into a 12 part “series.” so keep checking back every few days!)

So, I used to be a professional chef. My degree is in culinary. I have been cooking for nearly 20 years. But I still have to use external structures to keep myself on track. As you can see from the picture, I still start my day with a detailed prep list and a detailed schedule. And, I take notes about anything I’m doing for the first time, may not remember, am trying to perfect, or might not make for a while. (And I use a timer!)  Bottom line: I start with structure that is well thought out and leaves wiggle room. Then I track my progress and capture all the data I need to be as successful or more successful the next time… even if it’s a year later. (How often to you make stuffing?) Hope the picture is good enough.

ADHD INERTIA 1 a :  a property of ADHD people by which they remain (indefinitely) at rest or in (constant) motion (rarely) in the same straight line unless acted upon by some external force b :  An ADHDer in motion tends to say in motion; an ADHDer on the couch tends to stay on the couch

I have had a pill fob on my key chain for 20+ years. I recommend it highly. It’s “key” to have pills with you on the go incase plans change, forgetfulness happens, etc. I recommend this one from the Herrington catalogue: http://www.herringtoncatalog.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=fob&button=search They seal great and last forever. Get the larger one if you have any larger pills like Metadate or Concerta. The skinny one is great for regular acting tabs. I sometimes put a crumpled up tissue in the top to make sure the pills don’t go flying around and get ground into powder.

This is the term I use to explain how we priorities what we decide to do when we are not managing our attention particularly well. We will pick activities to avoid other activities, even if the first one is something that we don’t want to do. I think of a college kids who avoids his/her laundry for weeks and weeks… until it is time to study for mid terms. Suddenly, laundry seems like a good idea because it is ever so slightly better than studying. That kid then does a whole day of laundry and doesn’t get any studying done.  What do you avoid? What do you do to avoid the hard stuff?

Life is the ultimate Choose Your Own Adventure book. (Remember those?!) We are always making decisions about what path to follow. Sometimes letting go of the path we are on is the right decision. Personally, I have quitting and giving up on anything. I think it is an overcompensation for my inherent lack of follow through. Like the typical ADHD person, I used to have trouble finishing what I started and would often jump from one thing to another when I got bored or something got challenging in certain ways. In an effort to overcome this part of my ADHD personality I went really far in the other direction. I’m pretty militant about following through on what I start. Problem is that sometimes I start stuff that I should give up on and stick it out way to long. This applies to big things and small things. I certainly stayed with my first career as a chef for way to long. I was afraid to change and didn’t want to admit that I hated my job and my life because of it. Somehow that felt like a failure, a defeat. What I recognize now, looking back (many years later) was that my almost maniacal desire to keep on the track I had chosen, robbed me of (potentially) years of happiness. Being a Chef was great for me when I was 25 and hyper. It was not great for me at 30 with a family. And that’s okay! Things change. Leaving that profession doesn’t mean I screwed up, made a bad decision or failed. (And, even if it had been correcting a bad decision, we don’t really need to follow through on a bad decision to prove a point, right?) My career is a larger issue, obviously. But, learning to let go some of…

No system is fool proof, lasts forever, or is devoid of the need for maintenance. I’m sure I’ve referenced my favorite Thomas Jefferson quote on the blog before, “No one axiom can be deemed wise and expedient for all times and circumstances.” I bring it up again because it has relevance on this topic. Just because something worked for 5 years, or 20 years doesn’t mean that it will work forever. Per usual, here’s an example from my life. As I’ve mentioned before, I had some struggles with anxiety and depression over the winter and through the summer. (I’m doing really well now though, thanks for asking!) I know enough about myself to know that when I’m struggling getting exercise is as important as ever. If I can work out every day I feel a sense of accomplishment, even if everything else is a struggle. And, form a physiological standpoint, working our will help my brain chemistry by producing more of the dopamine and serotonin that I need. I’m normally very disciplined about getting my exercise.  That changed as my mood cratered earlier this year. My previous m. o. had been to keep one block free in my client schedule in the middle of the day to take a break and work out. This had been successful for years. But it stopped working. I found that if I got to a certain point in my day I simply couldn’t muster the “motivation” to work out. By the end of the day I would feel the lack of exercise and would feel worse. It took me a little while, but I realized that my system wasn’t working anymore. One of the variables of my life had changed and I needed to adapt.  I realized that I felt the best right after getting out of the shower in the morning. I…

It has been my experience that as ADHDers we can see the potential in so many situation and in so many items. We don’t see a toilet paper roll. We see an art project. This is at once one of our greatest strengths and one of our most present challenges. What I have found is that we often ignore the process that will get to our desired end result in favor of focusing on the pleasing idea of the result. We will often get lost in all the wonderful possibilities and not actually follow through on many or any of them.  I find it helpful to help my clients refocus on the process. Because if we are not interested in engaging in the process, we will never achieve the end result. Here are two examples from my life. I have always been an athlete. Sports have been my “happy place” since I was 3 years old. And, one of the reasons that I’m very good is that I love the practice as much as the games. I love doing drills, honing my skills, and doing the things that it takes to be better. On the other hand, I’ve always wanted to play an instrument. For a long time it was guitar. I bought myself a guitar with my graduation money from culinary school. I took some lessons… and flamed out. I just didn’t enjoy practicing. I want to play guitar, but not enough to actually practice.  This really illustrates my point, but also the idea that if we are not interested, our brains don’t set us up for success at pushing though the boring part. There has to be an intrinsic desire for the process or the end result has to be so powerful that it pushes us to get through the…

I recently received this email from a colleague, Joe Moldover. Joe is a great resource. If either of these topics piques your interest, I would consider attending. First, on Wednesday October 7 from 7:15 to 8:45 I will  be speaking on the topic of Nonverbal Learning Disability, Asperger’s Syndrome, and High Functioning Autism: Why the Confusion? This will be hosted at the Academy Metrowest in Natick. It is free of charge. RSVP to the Academy at 508 655 9200 or info@academymetrowest.com. Then, on Tuesday October 27 from 7-9 PM I am excited to be joined by Attorney Dan Heffernan and Dr. Scott McLeod for a free online webinar: Educating the Whole Child: Advocating and Caring for Students with Social/Emotional Disabilities. We had two very successful webinars last year; if you missed them they are posted online at www.drmoldover.com. One of the nice aspects of these events is that they are held live, and you will be able to submit questions and comments for Dan, Scott and I from the comfort of your home!