This Week's Brain Challenge: Attention Deficit Disorder

Summary: Starting off our series on overcoming brain challenges during communication, we address ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) in both adults and children. This overview provides some great tips and links.

Brain challenges can be categorized under almost every letter of the alphabet. Let's start off our series on the unique communications strategies needed for people with "challenged brains" at the top of the alphabet: with ADD, or Attention Deficit Disorder.

Also sometimes called Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), ADD is prevalent in children and adults who have an obviously hard time sitting still for any lengthy period. Children "fidget" frequently when they're young. But after the age of 7, it's common for them to begin learning to sit still when appropriate, such as during school lessons or worship services. Adults also wiggle and squirm when their minds are on something else--extreme worries about their children in the next room, for example. However, if you are an adult (or the parent of a child) who cannot be still on any given day, you may consider learning more about ADD.

Those with the ADD diagnosis also face other challenges:
- lack of focus / inability to concentrate on one subject at a time;
- high energy levels;
- chronic disorganization.

What this looks like to the outsider is:
- distraction away from the conversation or task at hand, either by looking elsewhere or by regularly asking the speaker to repeat what's just been said; making simple mistakes in work;
- extreme "playfulness" (jumping, skipping, and general horsing around of a physical nature that can sometimes unwittingly violate another person's space boundaries); also loudness of voice;
- constantly losing items or forgetting dates and times and other important information.

As a business professional, parent or otherwise responsible adult, how do you overcome the extreme challenges of ADD to be successful in the world? How do you communicate with others appropriately--especially when you have a hard time even hearing them in the first place? Below are some practical tips for minimizing your own communications struggles with ADD.

(1) Be aware of yourself. The more you know your limitations, the more you're able to expand them. Later this week, we'll discuss some specific ways you can become more self-aware.

(2) Improve your concentration. There are a number of online games to help you on this front. Brain games are an excellent way to mitigate brain challenges. Check out this one from Lumosity that's designed to train your attention.

(3) Rely on external resources. You can stay organized better by using organizational tools. Most smart cell phones have alarm clock and calendar applications that come in very handy (pun intended) when you use them on the go wherever you are. If you are less electronically inclined, you can purchase a datebook and carry it with you to stay on track. Some styles even have pockets and pouches for important items like credit cards, keys, and whatever else you prize (but can't seem to find).

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

Check out LiveScience.com!

Summary: For all you'd ever want to know about the brain (and more), check out this amazing site.

Yes, I've mentioned it before, but forgive me for saying again that I'm the author of an e-book called "Speak Your Truth: How to Say What You Mean to Get What You Want." It's actually part book and part workbook in that it contains more than a dozen different in-depth exercises to help you become more self-aware--and self-honest--so you can then be honest with the world around you, whether at home or at work. And if that weren't enough, I host a study group online where readers of the book can gather to put these exercises into practice and help each other grow.

We meet on Facebook. (Click here if you're interested in joining us!) And this week, we've been learning a little more about our brains. In doing so, I stumbled across an awesome site called LiveScience.com. Let me tell you why I like it so well:

- The writers and editors of the 6-year old site are a nice blend of journalists and scientists.

- The articles are set up in an interactive way--with videos, photo images, and places for you to comment on what you've learned.

- Subjects range from outer space, health and wellness, medical advancements, the human brain, technology, computers--to you name it!

- There are a lot of quizzes (like this one) to help you retain this new info.

- A whole series on the brain exists on the site--including (my favorite, of course) the Lumosity brain training games that improve memory, vocabulary, reaction time and more!

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010