When you have ADHD, you might get frustrated that you don’t work like everyone else. Maybe you can’t sit still for hours and listen to a lecture. Maybe you don’t learn as well from reading a book. Maybe you have trouble committing your ideas to paper.
Unfortunately, people with ADHD are usually given limited tools, such as a pen and paper, and discouraged from moving around, said David Giwerc, MCC, founder and president of the ADD Coach Academy.
But this doesn’t work for your uniquely wired brain. And that’s OK. People with ADHD don’t need to fit themselves into some box. You don’t need to work like other people. You can find tools that fit your learning style and needs — and help you succeed.
Below, Giwerc and other ADHD experts list their favorite tools — everything from phone apps to computer software.
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Looking for a tool for my son- I don’t even know if it exists- but he’s 8th grade going into hs…despite all the help he received for handwriting- he just can’t physically write- looking for a mini computer/typewriter he can bring to class to take tests or write class notes with- he’s a wiz on a keyboard..this way teachers can’t mark him wrong bc of illegible writing…anyone hear of something like that?
Hi Kate,
That’s a great question!
There are a few options that could work for your son:
1. Get an iPad with a separate keyboard. He could then save the document as a file and email it to his teacher (or to himself) or he could upload the documents to, say, Dropbox. He may not even need an attachable keyboard if he’s comfortable with the one on the iPad.
2. There are mini laptops that are great for students. Some good ones are listed here: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/best-mini-laptop.html
3. I’ve also heard good things about the AlphaSmart: http://www.neo-direct.com/intro.aspx
Hope this helps!
Terry Matlen, ACSW
http://www.ADDconsults.com
Good Stuff David thanks!
May i also recommend Wunderlist, a simple free app that syncs with all your computers and any smart phone. I am ADHD inattentive type with a tendancy to obsess over the best way to be more organized. I have finally (AFTER YEARS) found this app combined with google calendar (with all it’s awesome automatic alerts) to be the best for me. I schedule all of my tasks as they come up in wunderlist and take 2 times daily to plan them out on google calendar. You can even email yourself while your with your coach a complex task like work on resume and divide it out in all subtasks (important for the adhd person). It automatically makes a list called resume and includes steps you can check off for each subtask. (I can’t say how much i appreciate this app)
Also, i’ll throw in my google calendar tip. I use it like biofeedback. As i go through each day, i go through my often unrealistic timed tasks and adjust them to what i actually ended up doing including my distractions. This has improved my internal sense of time. Furthermore it’s a great way to know how meds are working if your doing stimulant therapy.
http://www.wunderlist.com/home
However, responding to this post wasn’t on my calendar and yep it’s time to take more medicine. LOL, progress not perfection