By Dr. Allen Novian
When parents bring their kids in for ADD testing, they are often surprised to find that many of the problems their children have are actually reflected in their own lives as well. Did you know that ADD has a genetic component? It does, and it always amazes me to see how many parents can benefit from testing and therapy along with their kids.
If you are beginning to find fault with your children because they are disorganized, unfocused, or fail to follow directions, you might want to check your own habits and see if you also have difficulty with these same tasks. If you see an answering pattern in your own life, you might want to see if you have attention deficit problems as well. The idea that ADD goes away as we learn and grow is a myth. The fact is that most adults with ADD have found jobs or organization and coping systems that work with their ADD, rather than against it. Adults may be unaware that they have an attention deficit because they have developed ways of dealing with it, but the struggle may still be there.
It is my belief that by addressing attention deficit, you will find that it is easier to use the coping strategies you are using and complete the tasks you struggle to complete. It is important to help our children with their struggles, but it is also important to give ourselves the advantages we need in order to help them and give them understanding, structure, and strategies.
Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Master isolated images