The Gift of ADHD
How to Transform Your Child's Problems into Strengths
Lara Honos-Webb, PH.D
Attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is thought to affect between 3 and 6 percent of school-aged children. The symptoms of the disorder - difficulty paying attention, impulsivity, and agitation - lead others to brand them as difficult, unfocused, and unruly. But the clinical studies and experiences of the author of
The Gift of ADHD suggest that many of the traits that label kids with ADHD may be an expression of deeper gifts: powerful imagination, searching insight, and unusual intuition. The goal of this book is to help readers recast the paradigm they use to think about the condition, encouraging them
to help ADHD kids develop their unique gifts.
The book begins with an overview of current ADHD diagnosis including definitions and a sample of a case study. Each subsequent chapter reframes certain ADHD symptoms in a positive way and reinforces this transformation with awareness exercises designed to increase the appreciation of the child's traits. These techniques include action strategies for channeling ADHD traits into productive outlets. And the book doesn't limit itself to a discussion of kids with ADHD:
It includes exercises to help parents cope with any feelings of failure they may be experiencing and to reverse any negative patterns associated with ADHD that might be at work in their families. The book offers advice on how to navigate education and mental health systems to the best advantage of ADHD kids and how to understand and make the best use of conventional ADHD therapies, including prescription drugs.
The Gift of Adult ADD
How to Transform Your Challenges and Build on Your Strengths
Lara Honos-Webb, PH.D
If you have attention deficit disorder (ADD), you may act impulsively, daydream, and have trouble focusing, but clinical studies suggest that these same symptoms may make you exceptionally creative, intuitive, and energetic. In fact, many people with ADD claim to have become successful because of their ADD, not in spite of it.
In The Gift of Adult ADD, Lara Honos-Webb adapts the revolutionary approach first introduced in the parenting book The Gift of ADHD to the lives of adults with ADD. Instead of focusing on your weaknesses, this book shows you how to transform symptoms into strengths to improve your relationships, job performance, parenting skills, and overall quality of life. You'll also read inspiring stories of real people with ADD who have become successful in part because of their ability to meet the challenges of ADD and make the most of its gifts.
Positive ADHD Traits
The
symptoms of ADHD are not all negative. People with ADHD have many
positive traits that are directly tied to their active, impulsive
minds. The key to overcoming the negative traits of ADHD is to focus on
the positive aspects. Build on Strengths!!
Hyperfocus
- People with ADHD often are able to “hyperfocus” for long periods of
time on tasks or projects that they find interesting. This is
particularly true of interactive or hands-on activities. They may even
be compulsive about it, spending hours immersed in the activity without
a thought to anything or anyone else. This single-minded ability to
hyperfocus can lead to significant accomplishments, discoveries, and
creative breakthroughs.
Creativity–
People with ADHD excel at thinking outside of the box, brainstorming,
and finding creative solutions to problems. Because of their flexible
way of thinking about things, they tend to be more open-minded,
independent, and ready to improvise.
Enthusiasm and spontaneity
– People with ADHD are free spirits with lively minds—qualities that
makes for good company and engrossing conversation. Their enthusiasm
and spontaneous approach to life can be infectious.
A quick mind
- People with ADHD have the ability to think on their feet, quickly
absorb new information (as long as it’s interesting), and multitask
with ease. Their rapid-fire minds thrive on stimulation. They adapt
well to change and are great in a crisis.
High energy level
– People with ADHD have loads of energy. When their attention is
captured by something that interests them, they can have virtually
unlimited stamina and drive.
