We've put together this list of tips for adults with ADHD in hopes of helping you understand ADHD to improve your day-to-day life.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be confusing. Although many people feel relief after receiving a diagnosis of ADHD, many also have questions. If you were recently diagnosed with ADHD, you might not know where to turn or what to do. You can reach out to us at Progressive Therapy Associates and request a free consultation. In the meantime, here are some tips to help you get started.
Learn About ADHD
Chances are the symptoms of ADHD have interfered with your life in the past, maybe when you were in school or in your daily life as an adult, either at work or in your relationships. Now is the time to learn more about ADHD, as a medical diagnosis, rather than an impediment in your life. Request a free consultation from Progressive Therapy Associates so that we can try to help you receive the help needed to improve your life.
Find the Right Provider
You may have one medical provider who prescribes medication and another provider that helps in coping and developing strategies for success, such as a Speech-Language Pathologist. It is important that your medical providers understand adult ADHD. Ask questions to determine how often they have treated someone with adult ADHD. Progressive Therapy Associates is here to help you find the therapy that is right for you. Contact us and request a free consultation to get started.
Set up a Therapy Plan
ADHD can present differently in each person. It is important to base your unique plan on your individual needs, rather than following a generic plan for adults with ADHD. This is where it becomes extremely important that your provider understands adult ADHD. Progressive Therapy Associates specializes in helping adults with ADHD.
Learn About Medications
While many people choose medication to manage the symptoms of ADHD, it is not the only option. Typically, medication can help with regulating attention and impulse control, but medication often does not translate into improved skills with task management, planning, self-starting, and time awareness. In other words, pills don't build skills. Progressive Therapy Associates focuses their service on building the skills that allow adults with ADHD regain control over their lives.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise has been found to be helpful in reducing some ADHD symptoms. If you do not already exercise on a regular basis, take the time to develop a routine that will work with your lifestyle. It is important to talk with your doctor before beginning an exercise program, especially if you have other health conditions. Progressive Therapy Associates can help you successfully develop and follow a productive daily schedule. Contact us and request a free consultation so you can start building skills that will positively impact your life.
Talk to Your Loved Ones
Help those closest to you to understand ADHD and how symptoms might manifest themselves. Help them understand that some of your shortcomings could be a result of your ADHD and not a choice or a personality fault. Let them know which symptoms you have the most problems with and enlist their support and understanding. It may be challenging to communicate these things with your loved ones, Progressive Therapy Associates can help.
ADHD Proof Your Home
Place a basket right inside the front door where you can immediately put your keys, your cell phone, and anything else you use daily. This helps you to spend less time looking for these items and more time enjoying life. At Progressive Therapy Associates, we will take the time to understand what matters most to you and your family and put a plan in place to help you manage your ADHD.
Forgive Yourself
If you are an adult with ADHD, chances are you have struggled for many years. Your self-esteem may be low. Accept your life for what it was in the past and look toward the future. Let go of things that went wrong in the past and forgive yourself. Choose instead to move forward with more knowledge and the determination that you can succeed and make a difference in your life. Contact Progressive Therapy Associates and request a free adult ADHD consultation so that we may help find the right plan toward your success.
Free Consultation
Our dedicated team of speech-language pathologists are specially trained in speech therapy as it relates to cognitive-communication issues (how you listen, process, focus, remember, and communicate). We are also nationally certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, are nationally recognized by the Brain Injury Association of America and are Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS). We are licensed to practice in both North Dakota and Minnesota. We believe every patient deserves the best treatment and support we can offer in every single contact and interaction with us.
We recognize that no two people have the same needs and that everyone has different learning styles. That’s why we like to call our approach “the Progressive way,” which means we will happily customize treatment plans to meet the unique needs of the individual and their family. We also believe in “the right fit” between patient and therapist, so will make every effort to match you with a clinician who connects with you, understands you, and utilizes a therapy style that is comfortable for you.
Depending on the goals you wish to accomplish and the learning pace that is most comfortable for you, we will arm you with the evidence-based strategies, proven skills, and ample support you need to feel more organized, prepared, and effective. Therapy strategies may range from recommendations for specific tools (such as timers or planners), one-on-one brainstorming and problem-solving to address concerns, therapeutic activities as well as computer trials or worksheets to help strengthen cognitive and executive functions like attention, memory, and planning.
We know that working on cognitive-communication issues is hard work and that it can be easy to feel defeated or overwhelmed by the challenges of building a more efficient brain. However, you will not be in this alone. We are not just speech-language pathologists; we are fellow human beings who care about you, your journey, and your success. We don’t want an appointment to feel like you’ve been sent to the principal’s office. Instead, you’ll find a comfortable space where you’ll feel listened to and understood. And because humor makes everything more bearable, be prepared to laugh and joke a bit too!