Center of Attention
Newsletter of CHADD of Northern California
Also at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
2 September 2001

CHADD Works to Improve the Lives of People with
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder through Education, Advocacy,
and Support

===== In This Issue =====

About the Newsletter
Feature Article: Tips on the management of adult ADD - Part 2.
This Week
Please Tell Us
Calendar of Events

===== About the Newsletter =====

The Center of Attention is CHADD of Northern California's bi-weekly
newsletter. The newsletter is designed to keep you up to date with
CHADD of Northern California's activities and updates in the field.
It's a new step toward bringing the members closer together.

===== Feature Article ======

The following article was published in ADDvisor newsletter in July
1999. We are grateful to Alan Graham and Bill Benninger of ADDvisor
for permitting us to publish this article in our newsletter.

"ADDvisorTM is your link to trustworthy, reliable information about
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). If you would like
to participate in any of our calls or our other programs, or would
simply like more information, including times and fees, call us at:
1-866-ADDvisor
Or you can email Alan Graham at Alan@... or Bill Benninger
at Bill@.... We will give you the information you request."

TIPS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF ADULT ADD - PART 2

Last month we listed the first of four categories of management tips
for adults with ADHD created by Edward Hallowell, MD and John Ratey,
MD. This month, we will continue to share these very useful
strategies that Drs. Hallowell and Ratey have proposed. The four
categories are: 1)insight and education; 2)performance management;
3)mood management; and 4)interpersonal life. This month we will share
the suggestions for performance management.

1. External structure
Structure is the hallmark of the management of ADHD. Use lists,
notes to yourself, color-coding, rituals, reminders, files. The PDAs
(personal digital assistants) such as the Palm, Handspring Visor,
etc. are very helpful organizers.

2. Color-coding.
Many ADHD people are visually oriented and color can help call
attention to things, thus making them easier to remember.

3. Use pizzazz.
In keeping with #2, make your environment as peppy as you want
without overwhelming you.

4. Set up your environment to reward rather than to deflate.
A deflating environment (remember what it was like in school) will
hinder motivation. Try to set things up so you are not constantly
reminded of your limitations.

5. Acknowledge and anticipate.
Expect that a certain percentage of your projects undertaken,
relationships entered into and obligations incurred with collapse.

6. Embrace challenges
ADHD people thrive on challenges. As long as you are realistic about
success (see #5), give it a shot. You'll get more done.

7. Make deadlines
Think of deadlines as motivators rather than echoes of doom. Make
them and stick to them. Use your PDA to remind you of them.

8. Break down large tasks into small ones.
Attach deadlines to the small tasks and then the large ones get
done. Large tasks may feel overwhelming. Smaller tasks are more
manageable.

9. Prioritize
Put first things first. Procrastination is the enemy of adults with
ADHD. Watch out for it and avoid it.

10. Accept fear of things going too well
Accept feeling edgy when things seem too easy. Try not to shake
things up just for some stimulation.

11. Notice how and where you work best
Individuals with ADHD often do their best in the oddest situations.
Learn what is best for you: working in front of the TV and stereo, in
a crowded room, etc.

12. Know that it is okay to do two things at once.
Often, people with ADHD need to be doing several things at once in
order to do anything at all.

13. Do what you are good at
Even if it seems easy, try to do the things you are good at and not
only what you are bad at.

14. Leave time between engagements to gather your thoughts
Transitions are difficult for people with ADHD so scheduling breaks
in between can help make the transition easier.

15. Keep a notepad in your car, by your bed, and in your pocketbook or jacket.
You never know when a good idea will hit you or when you need to
remember something.

16. Read with a pen in hand.
Use the pen to jot down "margin" notes but also any other idea that
may come to you.

======== This Week ==========
The following was contributed by one of our board members, Beverlee Kell.

The National Council on the Aging has developed a unique service for
helping seniors and the disabled identify state and federal
assistance programs which can help improve their quality of life.
Benefits CheckUp is a simple online questionnaire. Go to
www.benefitscheckup.org. Answer the 25 questions. Within minutes
you'll have a report detailing federal and state and sometimes local
programs and services for which you qualify.


===== Please Tell Us! =====

We thank members for their responses to the Newsletter. Any
comments, suggestions, or criticisms will be greatly appreciated.
Please continue to help us make this newsletter more beneficial to
you all.

You can e-mail your comments to us at CHADD_Dimples@....
Simply replying to this e-mail will also send your message to the
right place.


======== Calendar of Events ==========

9/5/2001, Wed. 7-9 pm - Contra Costa
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting, Ongoing, confidential
support groups for Adults with ADHD
Kaiser Mental Health, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
9/5/2001, Wed. 7:30pm - San Francisco
Women's ADD Support Group, Please Call Lynn to confirm times and
locations before attending.
CPMC Davies Campus, San Francisco - Contact: Lynn: 415-621-1078
============================
9/11/2001, Tues. 7-9pm - Marin
Parenting Skills - Mark Edwards, MFT, Come learn about parenting
skills when you have a child with behavioral difficulties. Also learn
about the new Parent Child Interactive Therapy(PCIT). Mark teaches
parenting skills at Family Services Agency and has a private practice
in San Rafael for children, teens and adults.
Town Center Corte Madera Community Room, Corte Madera - Contact:
Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
9/12/2001, Wed. Reg: 7pm, Meet 7:30pm - Santa Clara
Speaker TBA,
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Santa Clara Warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
9/12/2001, Wed. 7 - 9 pm - Sonoma
ADD, Depression & Anxiety, The Six ADD Subtypes and their Effects on
Family Dynamics. , Linda Peper, PhD., The Amen Clinic
Kaiser Hospital Building, Santa Rosa - Contact: Thora Lares: 707-765-4863
============================
9/18/2001, Tues. 7-9pm - Marin
Drop in Support Group, for Adults and Teens with ADHD and Significant Others
Marin Community Mental Health, Greenbrae - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
9/19/2001, Wed. 7-9 pm - Contra Costa
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting, Ongoing, confidential
support groups for Adults with ADHD
Kaiser Mental Health, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
9/19/2001, Wed. Reg: 7pm, Meet 7:30pm - Santa Clara
Adult, Parent and Spouse Support Groups, Separate peer-facilitated
groups let you share struggles and strategies with each other.
Includes video.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Santa Clara Warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
9/19/2001, Wed. 7 - 9 pm - Alameda
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting, (Note that this group is usually
on the second Wednesday but this meeting is on the third Wednesday.)
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
9/25/2001, Tues. 6-8:00 PM PST - Online
Marlene Snyder - From School Discipline to Juvenile Justice--What Works,
CHADD Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Message Line: 510-291-2950
============================
9/26/2001, Wed. 7-9pm - San Francisco
An Open Discussion and Dialogue about AD/HD, Ron Lewis, MD.
CPMC Pacific Campus, San Francisco - Contact: San Francisco Warmline:
415-442-1944
============================
9/26/2001, Wed. 9-10:30am - Marin
Support Group for Parents of Children / Teens with ADHD, Share your
concerns with a parent who really understands.
10 Glen Drive, Mill Valley - Contact: Mary Jo Sorensen: 415-388-8817
============================
10/3/2001, Wed. Reg: 7pm, Meet 7:30pm - Santa Clara
Medications for ADHD, Dr. Robert Verhoogan, Pediatrician
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Santa Clara Warmline: 650-949-5472
============================
10/3/2001, Wed. 7:30pm - San Francisco
Women's ADD Support Group, Please Call Lynn to confirm times and
locations before attending.
CPMC Davies Campus, San Francisco - Contact: Lynn: 415-621-1078
============================
And coming upŠ
============================
10/13/2001, Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Santa Clara
Choices, Changes & Challenges: Improving Work, Home and School
Interpersonal Relationships, The Kitty Petty ADD/LD Institute Sixth
Annual Symposium
Foothill Christian Center, Los Altos - Contact: Kitty Petty ADD/LD
Institute: 650-329-9443
http://www.kpinst.org
============================
10/18/2001, through 10/20/01 - ****
Communicating the Science of AD/HD: From Fiction to Fact, CHADD
Thirteenth Annual Conference on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder
Anaheim Marriot, Anaheim, CA - Contact: See Website:
http://www.chadd.org/conference.htm