Empowering Creative Solutions for ADHD Challenges
My clients with ADHD are brilliant and creative. They have often found innovative solutions to some of their ADHD challenges such as being on time, managing paperwork, or eliminating tedious, boring tasks.
Getting to work on time
Instead of leaving late each day and driving herself, my client wanted to be eco-friendly and get to work on time. Since she lives close to a Metro stop, she decided to ride the bus to work daily to get to work. Not only is she always on time, she has contributed to the greater good.
Getting dinner done
According to my client, variety is overrated for dinner! She choose to have a 2 week set of dinners that she could prepare from pantry staples each evening. A simple meal plan made for happy family dinners.
Getting homework done
After school homework time can be a challenge for families. My creative client partners with 2 other families where they rotate homework time for their daughters. The girls rotate between homes to complete homework each afternoon. The parent in that home is available to answer questions, check online for assignments and check the girls’ planners.
Getting ready each morning
Make your morning easy by creating a “uniform” dress for work. The uniform for my client is a dress. Rather than matching tops and pants, she wears a dress every day to make it easy to get ready for work. Peter Shankman, podcaster of Faster than Normal, wears black shirts and jeans each day. Simplify your dress to make it easy to get ready each day.
Keeping one simple task list
Evernote or a simple notebook are your solution to having your list in one place. Decide if you are going digital or paper, then keep all your tasks on one list. Having one list for my clients means that you can find all your information easily.
Working with a partner
Organizing and productivity can be isolating. My client knew that she worked better if someone is in the same space working on a project too. She invited her assistant in to work alongside her each day for an hour at a time to get her project completed. She was so surprised to learn this strategy, known as body doubling, could make her work more productively. It works!
What are some of the creative ways you have made a difference and made it easy to get stuff done?
That is interesting, how your client used the metro time restriction to make herself be on time. Finding a way to bring in accountability is so helpful for ADD. Likewise that rotating of homes for homework. Very smart. We are less likely to let down when we are home than in someone else’s home. Great tips Ellen!
I love how resourceful my clients are!