"Backdoor" into MGHDec 9, 2015It is very hard to get into to see a behavioral health doc at MGH. But, signing up for a clinical trial is an excellent way to get treatment. If they trial drug doesn't work, they don't kick you out. You're their patient then. Check out the link:
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Mind Mapping, Part II: Working Memory as Writing ChallengeDec 7, 2015I feel that working is the most interesting, most misunderstood, and most important to compensate for of all the executive functions. What working memory is is the ability to hold things in you mind and manipulate them. On a cognitive assessment that would likely be measured by number recall and reverse number recall. (The latter being the most interesting.) So, what does this have to do with writing a paper? Imagine a hypothetical student who is writing a 7 page history essay. That essay needs a thesis and a conclusion. But in between it need, say, 10 points to prove the thesis. To be a really good paper with a persuasive argument, those points need to be clearly articulated in a logical, linear fashion and transition from one another smoothly without redundancy. And, all of this needs to be done in the context of a well written piece that strongly proves the thesis. Essentially, what is being asked of the brain is to create language, make a good argument, and organize our thoughts. Without some sort of organizational preparation, we are asking our brains to do all of that at once! This is particularly difficult considering or lack of working memory. Consider trying to put those 10 points in order is you could, literally, only hold 5 of them in your head at a time. (Because that is exactly how our lack of working memory can/does manifest.) It would be nearly impossible. And, without the clarity that organization and structure provide, the writing process is frustrating, laborious, and excruciating. Not to mention the hours of avoiding it in the first place or the hot mess which is editing a totally disorganized paper. Why Mind Mapping? Check back in the next few days for the next tantalizing installment… My Blog Disclaimer: As a way to encourage myself to actually post entries, I have made a conscious decision not to go back and edit much, if at all. I do not apologize for any typos, grammatical errors, or things that could be better! Done & posted is always better than not done perfectly.
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Mind Mapping, Part I: Intro to Mind Mapping for the ADHD brainDec 4, 2015What is Mind Mapping? Mind Mapping is a simply a way to organize your thoughts in a visual way. It has many incarnations and many names. I learned it as a “spidergram” when I was young… back in the day. A “Brain Frame” is similar to a Mind Map. I guess you could put them all under the umbrella of “Graphic Organizers.” So, why are these important and useful tools, particularly for those of us with ADHD? In my experience, writing is usually one of the hardest things for ADHD students, and some adults. I believe that our struggles with writing have little to do with knowledge or content. On the contrary. More often than not, we have plenty of good stuff to say. It is the act of organizing those thoughts in to a coherent, linear, structured narrative that is difficult. Why do ADHD students have such a hard time organizing those thoughts? First, there is always the issue of attention. But for the purpose of this piece, we are assuming that the student has his/her attention affectively managed, likely with medication. But, medication does not directly affect executive functions. In this case the executive functions that are most needed are organization and working memory. Check out the example of woking memory in the next post. (And, FYI, this has turned into a 12 part “series.” so keep checking back every few days!)
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Thanksgiving Dinner... with a planDec 01, 2015
Bottom line: I start with structure that is well thought out and leaves wiggle room. Then I track my progress and capture all the data I need to be as successful or more successful the next time... even if it's a year later. (How often to you make stuffing?) Hope the picture is good enough.
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Quick ADHD wisdomNov 30, 2015ADHD INERTIA1 a : a property of ADHD people by which they remain (indefinitely) at rest or in (constant) motion (rarely) in the same straight line unless acted upon by some external forceb : An ADHDer in motion tends to say in motion; an ADHDer on the couch tends to stay on the couch
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Pills to goOct 29, 2015
http://www.herringtoncatalog.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=fob&button=search They seal great and last forever. Get the larger one if you have any larger pills like Metadate or Concerta. The skinny one is great for regular acting tabs. I sometimes put a crumpled up tissue in the top to make sure the pills don't go flying around and get ground into powder.
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