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Eureka!
Coping strategies that work!
My response is, after many unsuccessful attempts, I can't.
But maybe I can give that mind two things to do at once, and at the same
time screen out the environmental noise and maybe add some positive self
statements.
I developed Desk Partner Audio Tapes as a simple solution to a complex
problem for adults and children with ADD and ADHD. I dubbed new age
music with positive "I statements" every minute and then provided students
with a walkman and earphones and what I found was that the ADD/ADHD students
could stay on task, complete more work, and loved the tapes. The
students could work 22 minutes straight and be allowed to stand and work
at a manipulation station for 5-10 minutes then return to work. The teachers
were happy, the students were happy, and I, as their occupational therapist,
was pleased. In 4-6 weeks the same ADD/ADHD students chose not to
use the tapes and could focus without any assistance. The skills
became generalized. I have decided it was important to share this
with others, and the Desk Partner web site was born.
| As an occupational therapist (with ADD) working in the school system in Maine, I desperately wanted to remove the ongoing negative attention ADD/ADHD children were receiving each time they were off task during independent work time in the classroom. I can recall vividly the surprise I would feel when, as a child, I was, once again, being yelled at for doing something wrong. For the life of me I couldn't ever explain the long list of good intentions that had brought me to where I currently stood. Often I was even surprised at my own surroundings. The surprise would get my adrenaline running and the only response I could manage was to laugh. Well this response was "always wrong", and I would once again stay after school or visit my principal. |  |
ADD/ADHD kids and adults have negative dialogue coming at them ongoing
throughout the day, "What are you doing?" "Why would you do that?" "Can't
you just listen?" "Settle down now." "Don't you have any sense?" "I wanted
orange juice not milk!" etc. They become much worse, especially the
"All you want is attention." response. This is clearly NOT what an
ADHD kid or
adult is looking for when they are wandering around off task, because
usually when they get attention for this, it is not pleasant, and believe
it or not it is often a surprise, thus the wide eyes and the smile. What
a dilemma eh?
 |
The positive self statements in Desk Partner help to bridge the gap between self image and external negative input. They allow us to give ourselves positive messages when we are focusing on task. These verbal cues used in Desk Partner are very specific. The tapes are designed to reinforce a persons positive behavior with positive cues. Some kids have actually shed a few tears when they first hear 20 wonderful comments about themselves in 20 minutes. They learn to say these positive statements to themselves. One boy walked up to me in the hall of the school and said "Ms. Hartwick I can talk nice to myself now, it doesn't have to be you talking". |
| So what does this information have to do with adult ADD/ADHD? Well, while we have developed strategies and entered fields which are compatible with our ADD/ADHD (I hope) there are still times when it overwhelms us. Paperwork time in the office and bill paying is where I meet my ADD the most. These are times when using the tapes can keep you focused and able to complete the task in the appropriate amount of time. An added bonus is that people tend not to want to interrupt you when you are wearing earphones. If you have ADD or ADHD as an adult and you work in a seated work station, first let me state that I am in awe of your coping strategies, then let me suggest that these tapes may make your life much easier. |  |
CLINICAL TRIALS
Clinical trials were performed to test if the tapes would be successful
and accepted by children in the regular classroom, without OT intervention
and structure. Three classrooms of 3rd to 5th grade students
participated in the study. After the initial introduction of the
tapes 87% of the students chose to use the tapes during individual study
periods, 8% of the children
preferred to work without using the tapes, and 5% of the children did
not enjoy using the tapes during their first trial use.
 |
Teachers consistently reported that when a student used Desk Partner:
 Students focus on schoolwork
increased.
Student concentration increased.
Students completed more work
in less time.
The tapes blocked out distracting
noise.
Students were able to determine
their own need for using the tapes.
The students stayed in their
seats for the full duration of the tape.
The program was easy to use
and implement. |
Students "accomplished more in
a shorter period of time when using the tape." 3-5 grade multi-age
classroom teacher
"I started by speaking to a
small number of students that were working on unfinished work at recess
(2 with attention deficit disorder). They were a BIG hit - other
students were envious. I required the tapes for three students during
quiet time (reading, writing, some theme or math) and allowed other
students to use the tapes as they felt the need. They were in
"When the tapes were first introduced
everyone wanted one. I thought it was due to the 'newness' and 'coolness'
of them. After 3-4 weeks of use, many students continue to ask for
them. Unfortunately I don't have enough for all. Even the most
capable students requested tapes now and again, especially for writing
times." 3-5 Multi-age classroom teacher
"I think that the tapes (Desk
Partner tapes) are really awesome and I work really good during writing
because that's the only time I usually use them and it helps me work hard
and in my writing my story already has 5 pages counting both sides and
they are relaxing and I can usually hardly hear any one else so all my
ideas come to my mind and I also think the tapes are soothing and
are helpful to kids and I myself really like the gentle soothing music."
unsolicited comment from a student
"One boy I didn't think needed
the tapes, cried and became uncooperative when he couldn't use them all
the time. After I set up guidelines (for classroom use) he was OK and it
seemed to help him complete work." 4th grade teacher
In my 12 years as an occupational therapist working in the schools and with adults in head injury facilities, this has been the most successful tool I have used to teach individuals to focus on an activity. The most amazing benefit is that it appears to train focus skills. People learn to ignore environmental distractions and stay on task without the tapes.
What better gift could you give yourself and/or your child?
The tapes are reasonably prices at $US12.00 each. (There are 3 volumes with different music). They can be purchased right from our web site by clicking here or you can call the toll free number (877)668-3277, or and send us a check or money order in snail mail."
Joyce Hartwick MS OTR/L
Desk Partner
455 Middle Rd.
Parsonsfield, ME 04047 USA
hartwick@psouth.net
www.deskpartner.net
As an adult I am a high energy,
overachieving person. I have had a lot of success in my business
because I have been fortunate to have positions which require someone
who can juggle multiple priorities. With me, it is natural.
But finishing the job requires making lists, checking the lists at least
daily, sometimes more, and evenutally making the goal to mark the item
 |
being involved in a self help
Psychology group, getting to know my emotions and behaviors that are ADD
related .I am a single 54 yr old male who discovered he was ADD after much
study and research, also discovered I am mildly depressed..This ezine is
part of my research and education about my ADD
|
I was put into a weekly group for
one academic quarter at the request of Student Affairs at my university.
It was through the disabilities office and they set everything up for me.
The group was small, only 7 people, and the leader was the director of
the Disability Support Services. The goal of the group was for us to learn
more about ADD/ADHD and how to cope with it in the university setting.
He taught us different ways to study and tried to find what worked best
for each of us. We took tests that told what kind of learners we were (all
of us pretty much the same) mostly for us to learn more about ourselves.
The group was very helpful. We learned about our rights as people with
disabilities and new ways of making it through school. It was also a chance
for us as students to share with eachother what has worked for each of
us, and whathasn't.
| See if you can get diagnosed.
For me (ADDer's will probably understand this), being diagnosed was a relief.
I finally had a name for everything I had been going through and struggling
with. I had something to work on/with. By understanding ADD, I have been
able to improve many parts of my life. All because someone told me, "This
is what you have...this is what it is....this is what you can do." If you
can't get diagnosed, find out everything you can about ADD/ADHD and learn
about it yourself. There are so many resources on the web. That's where
I learned the most. From there, you will be able to discover new ways of
doing things and support to help you out. You don't have to have the real
diagnosis to help change the way you do things. I really believe it is
mostly in your attitude....the Adderall does help me to sit down and concentrate
on my studies, but it's my attitude that has helped me improve everything
in my life. It's just understanding that you may have to do things differently
than other people. Sometimes that means more work for the same results,
but it feels good when you can finally do it! |
 |
My background is in mental health
and not much phases me - a good knowledge base is key to understanding
and compassion-unfortunately I have no support network other than
myself and it is difficult to find resourses.
add can be dealt with
best with forgiveness and coaching/training how to manage your life
and papers!! Since it is often accompanied by depression, have that
properly diagnosed and managed first, then deal with the add just as one
would diabetes or any other biochemical deficiency
The only thing I can say is
everyone is different. I am glad I found out. It is like always
on the verge of something and not knowing what and when it is going
to happen. Always anticipating but not knowing why. I am glad
I found out and the med. is working for me but some may not, but you should
find out for your own sake. It does make life easier.
get a professional evaluation,
learn as much as you can, be open to all ideas and forms of treatment
You may feel that you are the
only one going through this but you're not. There are lots of people who
are willing to help. let them.
As a parent of an ADD ADHD child
get a diagnosis as soon as possible
because there are many aids out there for people with add.
I am a college student and get extra test time and tutors through
the disability office at school.
Get coping training first for
the whole family then look at what deficiency the brain has and try to
remedy it without drugs
It's not fair being ADHD in a structured environment and since
the environment can't change then help the child to cope
 |
Seek professional diagnosis
immediately, learn resources (such as your ezine) for coping strategies,
network with others to share ideas, frustrations, determine all resources
available through school, etc. Learning ways to "reach" my step-daughter
(i.e. using non-traditional ways to help her learn, etc.). Recognizing
that if we provide her with various tools, she can learn to control herself
and focus. This helps us set appropriate goals for her which she
always rises to meet (in the past we have viewed her behavior as something
over which she had very little control and therefore we had low standards/expectations
for her).
We're very excited to start modifying her diet and introducing food supplements as a means to help her without drugs. We believe these things may help her even more. Get a proper and professional
evaluation-- a neuropsych test, even if you have to pay for it. You
need an independent test from the school's testing. The school is
going to look out for the school budget. The doctor is looking out
for your child.
Get diagnosis as early as possible.
Learn all you can about this condition. Make sure you get a good
dialog going with your childs school professionals. Don't assume
they know more than you do about ADHD. I guarantee you that they
don't. I've had many teachers tell me they wish they were more informed
on the subject |
get support we at this time do
not have any & are going to join CHADD
seek counselling, and don't
be afraid to try the medicine, it may help, regardless of what others say.
do what the doctor suggests
Reading information/booklets
etc. Talking to people and giving the ADD individual, support and love.
internet books and learning
for myself because every child is different
Read, research on the internet,
get all the info. you can, and take charge of it yourself. Don't let the
doctor make the decisions for you. Support and advice from caring people
on the internet and information about multi-modal treatment, because Ritalin
alone is not enough
| spending quality time with
the child and having patience
|
 |
My faith in God. It has kept
me sane and positive even when I felt like crying
special needs education at school
which has brought him up to par academically
I've learned to quit asking
"why?" and to ask "what can be done".I really do know what it's like to
have adhd because I have add and it was never recognized until I found
out my children have add with the h. Also, the best advice I can
give is to pray often, listen often, and just love the children they are
god's gifts to all of us. Whatever disability it might be, they need our
help and not put downs and finger pointing.Watch out for changes in routines,
have a lot of patience and keep positive and praise the positives in the
children.Prepare them for any transition time, and use relaxation techniques,
visualization, and lots of feedback
having patience and learning
that they don't behave this way because they want to. That it is
not their fault and it is something that we have to work on and treat together
look at the stress level in
your environment, see if there are any things like aditory processing that
interfere and"look" like ADD, rule out all LD problems and deal with them
as you pursue increasing the self-esteem through sports or any thing the
child is interested in and does well.Get education on the disability -
and ruling out all the preiferal things that might "look" like
ADD
 |
Finding the right people to
work with my son and his many disabilities. The school has helped out alot.
I don't plan my
evenings. I have learned to live minute by minute with AJ and my family. That is all we can do some days. It gets to be some times second by second. Enjoy the days that are good. I have learned to embrace each and every good day and try to forget the bad ones because life has to go on and dwelling on the bad days just brings life to an almost stand still. Find something positive to do each day and find a positive part of the day even the bad ones so you can go on. |
Sense of humor!! And tolerating
this as a child needs to be protected from the stigmas of labeling
this seemingly malady du
Your next ezine will be the Christmas edition and so you will have two in December and none in January! Yes, here in New Zealand we have a month of summer holidays coming up! We live in a beach resort and will be making full use of the sunny days, warm water and cold beer! So expect more soon, as we keep collating all the results from the wonderful people who took the time to fill in the survey.
Don't forget to check out those
tapes Joyce has used with such great success, They both would be truly useful
Christmas stocking fillers!
Kind regards
Tricia and Mike Legg
