A.D.D.

I got interested in ADD when at my last job I found out that two of my employees had this disorder. My preconceived notion was that ADD was like what teachers called hyperactivity when I was a kid. One of the guys working for me was extremely intelligent and a PhD candidate. Getting curious I started to read about ADD. After going through several books I noticed that not only did the symptoms fit me, but they also fit everyone I knew who worked in my field (IS/IT). I’m not the only person who noticed this. One ADD researcher found such a high correlation between ADD and computer skills he suggested using a computer aptitude test as part of the diagnosis of this disorder..

You can get evaluated for ADD. If you have an offical diagnosis your school will probably be able to make accommodations to help you better learn. If you are already doing well than you might ask yourself it the diagnosis will really do anything for you. There is medication to help those with ADD and coaching sometimes helps people with ADD function in a non-ADD world. If you believe one or the other of these may help you than a diagnosis may be in order. If you are doing well in school and life than I don’t see the point of being evaluated.

I don’t view ADD as a disorder. I look at as a different personality type. Some things that are easy for most other people are hard for people with ADD. At the same time some things that are easy for people with ADD are hard for most people without. Sometimes it is hard for people with ADD to mesh with the non-ADD world but once they find their nitch they can do very well.