Please STAY ON TASK
Unlocking
with me, and ADHD
sing along
when I give you
the
cue
Power
to repeat. I think you’ll
all get it.
By Kevin J. Roberts, M.A.
www.kevinjroberts.net
cyberjunkie512@gmail.com
Author of:
Cyber Junkie: Escape the Gaming and Internet Trap (Hazelden 2010)
Movers, Dreamers, and Risk Takers: Unlocking the Power of ADHD (Hazelden 2012)
Imagine….
• My energy pent up in a desk, forced to be
stationary and NOT TALK!
• My brain teeming with energy, ideas, and
passion, but not what you want me to be
passionate and energetic about.
• This presents great difficulty for me, AND YOU,
but if you show me understanding and
compassion, you might actually end up
empowering my creativity. I WILL NEVER FORGET
YOU! Sr. Frances Cabrini, George Duffourc, Fr.
Ned Donoher, Bill Petrovich, Fr. Jack Menner.
Teachers who changed my life.
You have gifts.
Your energy is a good thing.
You can do it.
You’re vibrant.
You’re funny.
There’s something special about you.
God has something very special in mind for
you.
You’re creative.
You’re unique
Outline:
I. Unlocking the truth of ADHD
A. The Brain
B. Behavior and the brain
II. Unlocking Your Mindset
A. What works.
B. What does not.
III. The Tool Chest.
By Kevin J. Roberts, M.A.
www.kevinjroberts.net
cyberjunkie512@gmail.com
Author of:
Cyber Junkie: Escape the Gaming and Internet Trap (Hazelden 2010)
Movers, Dreamers, and Risk Takers: Unlocking the Power of ADHD (Hazelden 2012)
The World is Falling Apart
Profiles in frustration
The Tasmanian Devil: Me
Are your methods working?
Do you take ADHD
personally?
Is there a way out?
People who spend large
amounts of time with
ADHD-ers often develop a
pessimistic mindset.
The Nature of ADHD
Derives from the structure,
function, size, and shape of the
brain….neurobiology: Decreased
size and volume of the brain, and
brain wave activation patterns.
Strong genetic links.
ADHD traits run in families.
When you understand the
true nature of ADHD, you can
begin to change your
responses.
How would you treat your child
with diabetes?
It’s in the Genes
Caudate nucleus: associated
with impulsivity.
Children with trauma to this
area become impulsive.
Irregularities in size and shape
of this area in ADHD boys, with
which there are several
gene variant correlations.
DRD4, DAT1.
Our genes
determine the
structure and
functioning of
our brains.
Negativity
Do you think we “Do it on
purpose?”
Does our seeming inability
to change confuse you?
Do you react most strongly
when we repeat behaviors
we have promised to
change?
Understanding the brain
answers all these questions.
Brain Driven, not a Matter of Will
We Thrive on Negativity!
We have a need to create stimulation.
We “play” games of negativity to increase
overall brain activity.
This tendency is brain driven, not will driven.
How do you or your ADHD loved one do this?
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Your Methods
I have to practice what I preach.
What are your methods?
What do you do that is productive?
What do you that is unproductive?
How do you keep the negativity going?
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The Opposite
When dealing with an ADHDer, the Opposite of
your impulse is often most effective.
We are natural rebels, masters of opposition.
If you can short-circuit this, you just may succeed
in helping and guiding us.
The first opposite is to view ADHD as a
set of strengths and abilities.
The Enlivening Power of Humor
Most of us ADHD-ers are
funny, and at the very least,
we’re all somewhat quirky.
This is a great place to start.
Here we have a strength.
Find ways to enjoy our gifts.
When we can laugh about
something that could be seen
as negative, it empowers us,
gives us sustenance.
Shakespeare’s views on ADHD: The
Court Jester
For Shakespeare, to have a fool
attending you is generally a mark
of distinction.
To do their jobs, “Fools,” or Court
Jesters, had to possess the rapidly
scanning mind that often
characterizes ADHD.
Touchstone, Feste, and King Lear’s
fool all offer an out-of-box view of
reality, which proves quite
valuable.
Movers, Dreamers and Risk-Takers
We are often brilliant hands-on learners,
best when on the hunt, on the trail, or
having an adventure.
We are playful, creative and
spontaneous. Those are skills the world
sorely needs. School sees these as
flaws! Comedians, musicians,
performers.
Imagining new ways of doing things
sustains and enlivens us.
We are often great in a crisis:
emergency room doctors and nurses,
entrepreneurs, deep-sea divers, pilots,
firefighters.
Focus on Strengths
Most often, ADHDers and their loved ones focus
on flaws.
This mindset is a very limiting one.
Right now, I want you to write down your
strengths and/or the strengths of your ADHD loved
one.
The first opposite is to view ADHD as a
set of strengths and abilities.
Keys to Unlock ADHD Power
Get Support.
Practice New Behaviors.
Stick to the Opposite.
Positive Talk (To self and to others).
Coaching, Mentoring, Support Groups.
Discover Strengths. Do What You Love.
Find a Routine, but Find Ways to Change
it.
Movement, Multi-Sensory Learning,
Find the Fun.
Questions?
By Kevin J. Roberts, M.A.
www.kevinjroberts.net
cyberjunkie512@gmail.com
Author of:
Cyber Junkie: Escape the Gaming and Internet Trap (Hazelden 2010)
Movers, Dreamers, and Risk Takers: Unlocking the Power of ADHD (Hazelden 2012)