Attention Deficit Disorder

[Marijn]

Can you recommend any books etc about Attention Deficit Disorder? My son is 18 and in the middle of A levels (and has only just been diagnosed), can anybody recommend any self-help info. He needs coping strategies for organisation skills and coping mechanisms in general.
PS He hasn't got hyperactive disorder, he has A.D.D.
Thank you

[Marijn]

Any ideas anyone. Have I put this question in the right section?

[daffy654]

He may benefit from a course of CBT (Cognitive behavioural Therapy),he needs to be referred for this by your GP.

[ganesh]

Having a daughter,now 19,who was diagnosed at 14,I really sympathise. I have tried desperately to get help from doctors and psychiatrists to no avail.Unless they have adHd they really dont know how to deal with it. My daughter is very intelligent and articulate too and that didn't help either. She still has severe concentration and organisational problems and life is hard!
The best you can hope for is the extra time for exams.
There is a book I used to have with goldfish on the front. I'll try and find out what it was called.
Good luck!

[ganesh]

Its called ADD-the unfocused mind in Children and Adults by T.E Brown,though there are lots out there. They all say that help is needed and veer towards medication and the dangers of not having any,but in England now it is impossible to get anything unless the kids are bouncing off the walls.

[Marijn]

Thank you both very much. I will look in the library for that book. My son is definitely not hyperactive, he's the most placid person you could imagine, also very intelligent. It would be a great pity if the ADD keeps holding him back. If you have found anything that works, from your own experience, please let me know. Thanks again

[ganesh]

I have read enough about it to know that it is really a physical problem (to do with connections and chemicals in the brain) and not a psychological one.That is why I think it needs medication,but I was unable to get anything from the doctors in this country because she was not hyperactive and because of potential side-effects. The psychological side-effects of untreated ADD are,however,immense,especially with intelligent young adults trying to pass exams and competing against others with better memories,concentration and organisation.
Forgive my bitterness,as I have had to watch my daughter struggle with it over the years.
I'm sure there are self-help techniques out there and if your son has only just been diagnosed he must have coped with his GCSEs and will probably manage A levels with a bit of extra coaching and proffessional help.

[Marijn]

Thank you Ganesh, for your answer. I understand your bitterness. The college my son attends diagnosed ADD some months ago, but have done nothing to help him. They said they would help him with organisation etc, but have done nothing at all. They nag him about his lack of organisation and concentration, so I said to his personal tutor, "perhaps that's got something to do with ADD". She said "oh, maybe", but still just nags him, the silly moo!
I have ordered the book you recommended, from Amazon and will try to help him myself.
If you come up with anymore advice, I will be happy to hear it, thanks again.

[ganesh]

My advice would be to get a good 'planner',write everything down (like things I need to do today) in a diary,remind him constantly of what to take to school on certain days,and keep ahead of the game concerning homework. It's very hard to do this without 'nagging',I know. My daughter was at quite an academic school and most of the teachers didn't know how to deal with her,,but I did ask them to sit her at the front always and make sure she wrote down exactly what the homework was and when it was due in.
Be patient and understanding when he forgets things and loses things (I lost count of how many mobile phones and pens we got through!)
I hope you both find the book useful,good luck.

[Marijn]

Thank you very much for your help.