| sit down and think of ways to make connections | | | | and then take notice of the connection it brings |
| between two things, I'm flooded with ideas. In | | | | home. Much like a dog that takes off and then |
| fact, I don't even have to think of them. They | | | | returns with a gift for its owner. |
| just come. | | | | That gift is how the mind wants to remember |
| Maybe it's a sound or something I see that | | | | that piece of information. Be thankful. You now |
| suddenly takes my mind somewhere. It's | | | | have a direct line to remember it later on. |
| automatic and has been going on my whole life. | | | | When it comes to memorizing, it's all about the |
| I'm sure it has a lot to do with my ADD and it | | | | direct lines your mind constructs to the |
| was a pretty big problem until someone showed | | | | information it has stored. It makes associations |
| me how to take advantage of it. | | | | between the new information that needs to be |
| You see, us "ADDers" have our minds in 5th gear | | | | learned and old information already in long term |
| from the moment we wake up. We get | | | | memory. Some of the most powerful memory |
| distracted easily because we see or hear | | | | strategies rely entirely onassociating new |
| something that reminds us of something else. And | | | | information with old. |
| then, in a flash, we take off (mentally that is) until | | | | Some kids have to be taught to make these |
| we find our way back. | | | | associations. ADDers have been doing it their |
| Of course, that's not a good thing when you are | | | | whole life. |
| trying to sit still for a test or have a conversation | | | | No one told me this when I was in school. So, I |
| with another person. | | | | made associations alright. Probably, a million a |
| Yet, this amazing ability to connect what we see | | | | minute. I just never understood that I could |
| or hear with something else can be harnessed and | | | | channel this force into something constructive. |
| usedto our advantage. Especially, when we | | | | Now, as a parent and teacher, I offer advice to |
| memorize. | | | | my kids and students on how to grab hold of |
| Naturally, someone has to point this out to us in | | | | information and store it for another time. |
| order for it to make sense. | | | | Have a little chat with your ADD child and let |
| So, here's what I suggest you do with your ADD | | | | them know they are ahead of the pack. If they |
| child, or your ADD self. | | | | can harnessthat amazing power they have inside |
| When it's time to remember something (i.e. | | | | their brains, they will be just fine. |
| memorize it), let your mind go as it normally does | | | | |