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Acceptance and Change

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  • ADHD is not One-Size-Fits-All

ADHD is not One-Size-Fits-All

  • Posted by Duane Gordon
  • Categories Acceptance and Change, Non-Member, Stories
  • Date July 26, 2016
  • Comments 5 comments

When I first started to figure out my ADHD (and this wasn’t easy, but that’s another story) I thought I had solved the problem for my ADHD daughter as well. My youngest daughter was diagnosed with ADHD before I was – in fact, as is often the case, I only discovered my own ADHD through my wife’s and my efforts to understand what her diagnosis meant. With each new strategy or approach I tried that worked, I’d excitedly tell my daughter that, “From now on, you do it THIS way.”

Together, somewhat painfully, we discovered that each person’s ADHD is unique. I was upset when my new discovery didn’t work for my daughter. Maybe she wasn’t doing it properly. Maybe she wasn’t trying hard enough? I’m embarrassed to admit how long it took before I realized I was acting just like all those people who’d insisted I do thing their way (the RIGHT way, they’d insist!) and worse, judging my daughter as lacking if my strategy didn’t work for her.

It wasn’t until someone observing our relationship from the outside pointed out that I was assuming, as everyone had always done to me, that there was a right way and a wrong way of doing things. When it comes to ADHD, there are strategies that translate or adapt well from person to person, but there’s no easy solution. You need to discover what works for you on your own, by trying things.

The good news is that there’s no wrong answer. The right answer is always whatever works for you. If one approach doesn’t work for you, even if it was suggested by the most successful ADHDer you know or the expert with the most letters after his or her name, there’s nothing wrong with you. It’s just that it’s not the right approach for you.

My daughter, now grown, living on her own, holding down a job, succeeding on her own terms, is doing just fine going her own way. I’m very proud of her. What works for her may not work for me, but it’s obviously working for her. I’d like to take some credit for her success, and I guess I will, even if the biggest contribution I made was learning to get out of her way and letting her figure out what works for her on her own.

As an adult with ADHD, you too must find your own way. Go to a support group (or attend a virtual support group). Consult a professional. Talk to other people living with ADHD. Take in all their ideas, but don’t assume they’re right. Try things, accept what works for you and leave the things that don’t. And never, NEVER, think that because something doesn’t work for you that there’s anything wrong with you.

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Duane Gordon

Duane Gordon is President of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA). As Communication Chair, Gordon led development of the ADDA Health Storylines mobile app. Gordon co-chaired two ADDA Conferences, leading the development of the mobile applications used in those conferences. Gordon is an adult with ADHD, an advocate and mentor for adults with ADHD, a founder of the Montreal Adult ADHD Support Group where he frequently presents on the use of technology in coping with ADHD, and Gordon is an expert with over 20 years’ experience in the field of computer technology.

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Learn to Listen. Listen to Learn.
July 26, 2016

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Message From the Editor: Making Real Connections
July 26, 2016

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    5 Comments

  1. Avatar
    Sonia Dusza
    August 1, 2016
    Reply

    Hi Duane,
    Thanks for sharing this info, it gives me hope I too can find positive results. I can not forget Dr. Hallowell’s statement during a recent webinar this year that “treatment is necessary” for adhd. I already know this all too well and, his statement only emphasized for me, all the more, WHAT I KNOW IT MEANS, IT IS, TO BE WITHOUT THE TREATMENT and, only BECAUSE THE ADHD SPECIALIST / M.Ds. ARE either TOO FEW AND / or BOTH, NOT PRACTICING IN MY AREA, NOR, in any given area, AT ALL!!!l A CLARION CALL to the APA of this REAL NEED for MORE PSYCHIATRISTS SPECIALIZING IN THIS AREA OF MEDICINE and very importantly as well, the United State Government & Congress addressing the reality of ADHD in our Society and, of the underserved ADDERS within our U.S. society.

    Thanks again,
    aka ZOFIA

  2. Avatar
    Len
    August 10, 2016
    Reply

    I’m sixty five years and just now finding the way to some kind of peace knowing that I not less than others. I always knew there was something wrong with me. It’s been hard finding my way to just a small victory and knowing it wasn’t all my fault for not being able to keep up with others.

    • Avatar
      Annie
      January 11, 2018
      Reply

      I am 56 and only just discovering that i may well have ADD and not depression. all those years onmeds which may well be dulling my poor old brain even more!
      I feel your pain 🙁
      Sending love from Australia

  3. Avatar
    Maggie
    September 28, 2016
    Reply

    I have a wonderful ADHD understanding Psychiatrist and Psychologist and I never realized how this was a problem for so many adult ADHA’s.
    I wish I could help in someway(cloning not being an option lol).
    May I encourage you to keep searching…continuly asking for guidance to find “that” person or professional who is just for you!

  4. Avatar
    Theresa
    November 19, 2017
    Reply

    Absolutely, I am currently looking for help myself

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