AD/HD (attention deficit/hyperactive disorder) is a “neurological and developmental disorder, most often inherited, characterized by recurrent difficulties attending to tasks, and following them through to completion, yet lead highly successful and happy lives. I also believe the AD/HD community are “gifted” individuals that are a little hard to unwrap.
AD/HD tends to run in some families more than others affecting children, adolescents, and adults of all ages throughout their life. Not every person with AD/HD displays all of the symptoms, nor does every person with AD/HD experience the symptoms of AD/HD to the same level of severity or impairment.
Some of the workplace challenges and characteristics of AD/HD are:
- Difficulty completing tasks
- Difficulty getting started on tasks
- Excessive and chronic procrastination
- Excessive forgetfulness
- Excessive impulsivity: saying or doing things without thinking
- Frequently losing things
- Physical restlessness or hyperactivity
- Poor attention and excessive distractibility
- Poor organization, planning, and time management skills
The upside to the workplace strengths of AD/HD individuals are:
- Accepting and forgiving
- Creative
- Hyperfocus abilities
- Innovative
- Inquisitive
- Inventive
- Lots of energy and ideas
- Observant
- Resilient
- Resourceful
- Risk takers
- Spontaneous
AD/HD techniques of getting organized are really no different than it is for any other individual. The systems to staying organized might be unconventional, but the basic methods to getting organized are the same.
It’s about time that people remember that this gifted community really doesn’t have a “deficit,” but a “difference” in their thinking. There are hundreds of AD/HD famous people we know that have this gift. Perhaps, you may know these individuals: Thomas Edison, Mozart, Winston Churchill, Cher, Bruce Jenner, just to name a few..these are successful, gifted individuals!
