December 14, 2010 Meeting Notes

Ed Keeter presented a summary of a presentation he'd attended in October, "Very Best Treatment for ADHD and the Processing Disorders" by David Nowell, Ph.D. You can find out about Dr. Nowell at his web site, http://www.drnowell.com/.

You can view the slide show from Ed's presentation and download the helpful checklists and related forms that he shared at the meeting here:

• 12/14/2010 ADHD Presentation



• ADD & Related Problems Checklist for Adults



• ADD & Related Problems Checklist for Children



• Sample Letter - Request for 504 Assistance



• Sample Letter - Request for Special Education Services



• Strength & Weakness Profile



• System Overlap in Select Childhood Syndromes

We also discussed how most of the major pharmaceutical manufacturers offer free or deeply discounted rates on their prescription medications for people without health insurance and/or with limited incomes. Three sites to check out regarding this include:

Astra Zeneca: www.astrazeneca-us.com/help-affording-your-medicines/prescription-saving-program

Shire: http://www.shirecares.com/

Forest Pharmaceuticals: http://www.frx.com/

Next month: Exercise & ADHD -- don't miss it!

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Video Podcast: ADHD & Self-Employment

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition that many people live with that can pose serious challenges to performing well in the world of work. Most employers place high value on a worker's ability to focus, pay attention to detail and handle complex tasks in a consistent manner, most people with ADHD tend to struggle with those kinds of activities more than the rest of the world. Meanwhile, a lot of the special attributes that people with ADHD tend to possess in greater levels than the rest of the world - energy, creativity and a love of novelty and variety - can often go unnoticed or at least under-appreciated by many employers. Not surprisingly, I've encountered a lot of people with ADHD who want to know how feasible and/or desirable it might be for them to become their own boss, choosing self-employment over traditional employment. Everyone's situation is unique, of course, but the video podcast included in this blog entry covers a lot of the considerations that are shared almost universally by people with ADHD who would like to run their own business.



What has your experience been with self-employment? Is/was it better suited to how you operate as a person with ADHD? Did it introduce new challenges? How did you handle them? What other advice or considerations do you have for other aspiring entrepreneurs with ADHD?

Post-Meeting Discussion: Technology & ADHD

For our November meeting, Ed Keeter (yours truly) presented on the topic of Technology and ADHD. The discussion/presentation focused on what some of the "tech" tools are that can be helpful in managing some of the effects of ADHD. Gadgets ranged from simpole alarm watches and digital recorders and GPS units to desktop PCs and smart phones. Discussion focused on how to best select and use the right tool(s) for your unique situation.

The second half of the meeting was a review and discussion of the soon-to-be updated FOCUS+ web site and blog. (note: the site is now available at www.focusplus.org - Ed)

All members were encouraged to share their thoughts on what would make the site more user-friendly and useful. One suggestion was to add a "So I (or someone I know) have/has ADHD: Now What?" tab to help newly diagnosed people determine and weigh their options. The new blog will be divided into four key areas:

1. Information about the upcoming meeting topic (where members can pose questions and find pre-read material if available);
2. Information about previous meetings/topics (where members can continue the discussion);
3. Ideas for future meetings: topics, presenters, activities, etc.; and
4. More specific topics, e.g. "ADHD and Teens" or "ADHD in the workplace", where members with shared areas of interest can collaborate.
   

What "tech" have you found to be helpful in managing your ADHD symptoms? Do you find that sometimes technology can be counterproductive, like when your cell phone interrupts you when you're concentrating on an activity?