ADHD at Work

Earlier in the week we had evening plans after school, so I decided to take the kids to the library to do their homework where we would be closer to our scheduled destination. But in a new environment, it was fascinating to watch Carson and his ADHD doing homework in an unfamiliar setting.

In the middle of doing math, he found a light on the ceiling

Sitting on our feet, don't think he knows how to sit on his tush pockets

Giggling, trying to hide it from me, while he should be writing something with his pencil

Karate chop

On to both feet crossed on our knees

Needless to say, homework is a challenge for sure, the more patience I have with him the better, and I have to pull out my inner therapist tools and ask myself what advise would I give one of my client's parents.

And since I love watching human nature at work, especially those who are not neurotypical, I have to saw this little guy and his sister fascinate me

Kudos

At work, and sometimes in my personal life, I feel like I am a hamster just running in my wheel. With all the clients I see, I do not always feel like I am making progress with the children in therapy, and some clients leave therapy before we can get to the real "work" of therapy. I feel like many days are spent just assessing and planning, with clients not returning. I do not always get to see the positive progress along the way, or end result of some clients.

But yesterday, I received the best message I could have received, and it was so needed to boost my morale before heading to work tomorrow, It was only three sentences but so poignant.

This mom wrote; "We are SO happy and feel extremely fortunate to be working with you! You take the time to listen to our concerns and ideas and understand (name of client)! You are WONDERFUL and we can't thank you enough!"

I first have to say a huge thank you to this mom, because I needed it. Second, I give this mom kudos herself. Her 6 year old daughter has been diagnosed as selectively mute, although my diagnosis is Asperger's and anxiety. Either way, she has been able to leave her job, home school her daughter and has researched every avenue for possible treatment. She brings in a notebook to our therapy sessions to take notes on ideas I have to try with her daughter, and actually goes home and uses them! So refreshing, I as a therapist cannot fix your child alone in my 50 minutes every two weeks session, it takes work at home. If parents would do the work now, while their child is young, it will make it easier for both the parents and the child when they are older.

New Approach

I have decided in the new year (since I do not make new years resolutions) that I am going to take a new approach with my husband. He is Bipolar with many characteristics of ADHD that the bipolar medicine has not been able to alter, so we just live with it. It is much easier to cope with attention issues then true periods of clinical depression and hypo manic swings. Yes, we did try ADHD medication first when we thought that was his primary diagnosis, but the stimulant medication either sent him into a deep depression or increased his irritability and anger.

Back to my point though, I am going to change the way I see his behaviors, it will only help our marriage and my attitude. My poor husband has zero common sense which leads to some of my issues I have with him, the other issues are his periods of hyper focusing, and either lack of attention (I hope) or laziness.

I am thinking that if I change my approach and attitude, his behaviors will not bother me as much. I won't go into instant anger when the trash is sitting in the garage and he does not take it out, or he texts me to ask if we have food in the house, when clearly we do. I am thinking I will keep a running list of what my friend calls "Man Syndrome" and maybe my husband and I can chuckle about them instead of me getting upset and resentful about it. Nothing like putting my use of cognitive behavioral therapy to work. I did not go to college for nothing!

Stay tuned!!