It is logical that anyone who knows someone who has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) would want to help, but might not know the way to go about it. Of course, every situation is different. Yet, there are a few things that will apply to most of them.
First, if you are wondering what the difference between ADHD and ADD, there isn't one. "Attention Deficit Disorder" was the term first used by the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual published by the American Psychiatric Association. The organization has since changed the term to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Today, some refer to ADD to refer to the ADHD primarily inattentive subtype, but the correct term is ADHD.
Instructions
The Basics
1. Educate yourself. There are so many misconceptions and misunderstandings about ADHD. Also, the ADHD world changes very quickly (all that hyperactivity?) with new findings coming out every year.
2. Don't expect a pills to magically cure someone. ADHD experts love the saying "Pills do not teach skills." People with ADHD may improve on medication, but often still have problems until they learn manage the condition.
3. Allow explanations but not excuses. ADHD should never be used as a free pass for bad behavior. Actions have consequences, even when someone has ADHD. The electric company allows people with ADHD to pay their bills late, but they still charge them the reconnection fee like everyone else.
4. Don't ask people with ADHD to "try harder." Ask them to "try differently." Unless you feel that they did not make an effort, chances are the method they used to complete the task did not work for them. Instead of trying the same thing over and over again expecting different results, try something new.
5. Think outside of the box. People with ADHD generally do things differently than people without ADHD.
6. Focus on the results and not the process. If the person with ADHD gets more work done with the radio on then with the radio off, allow it even if you think it would be more distracting.
The Right Attitude
7. Have high expectations. There is nothing that a person with ADHD cannot do in comparison to a person without ADHD. It may take longer and be more difficult, but it can be done.
8. Don't look at ADHD as a negative. With the words "deficit" and "disorder" in its name, it may seem that ADHD is a horrible thing. However, many people with ADHD actually like having ADHD and would not consider being "cured" if it was possible. Hyperactive can become energetic, impulsive can become spontaneous and inattention can become dreamer or visionary.
9. Avoid saying "I am a little ADHD" or "I feel like I have ADHD sometimes." While it may seem like you are trying to be sympathetic, it actually comes across as dismissing. Like most neurological disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder, anyone can have one or two of the symptoms on occasion Only when you have them every day, all the time, to the degree that they are causing major problems in your life can you understand what it is like to have ADHD.
10. Never ask "Have you taken your medication today?" as a response to negative behavior. If you can't tell if they have taken the medication, then you either don't understand how the medication works or the medication isn't work. People on ADHD medication may still be hyperactive and impulsive even if the medication is working (just like people who are not ADHD).
11. Never suggest someone should take ADHD medication if they are not. The only exception to this rule are people who are very educated about ADHD and the ADHD medications. If you cannot answer the questions "What behaviors would decrease on the medication?" and "What are the risks and side effects of the medication?" then you don't have that knowledge.
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