Tips for managing Distraction caused by ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
At school, my ADHD used to make me disrupt the class. That’s how it got the name ‘Disruptis’. Disruptis was like an attack helicopter that would wave an air horn at me.
When Disruptis was around it made me act loud, obnoxious and silly. I could be found yelling, dancing around the classroom or turning off other people’s computers. Disruptis wanted me to get in trouble, not do my school work and not work at my best. It was hard to concentrate, and made my life miserable and boring. Sometimes its really hard to stop Disruptis. When the teacher was distracted with other kids in the class, it would tell me he already has one victim but now he wants two.
However, there’s some things I’ve learned along the way that have helped me manage Disruptis. Sometimes I can see Disruptis there but I ignore it. I try to distract myself and take my mind off it or put my attention elsewhere. Here are my tips for others that have Disruptis follow them to school or uni.
Tips
Make a deal with your teacher to see if you can listen to music. If I don’t have music to listen to, I would eavesdrop on people talking. Now I’m more focused on the music and it helps me relax, kick back and concentrate on my work. I also had the option of playing some cool maths games to help me refocus.
If distraction causes you to lose focus, ask the teacher to go out and get a drink and some fresh air, because this will make you more relaxed. My mind had something to focus on for a moment, even if I wasn’t able to return to class to do work.
These ideas came from listening to other kids, getting inside information by eavesdropping, about what worked for them.
Sometimes you might have to take medication. This might be challenging at first. It might not feel normal to begin with but then it makes you feel more normal. It helps you pay attention. Before I couldn’t sit for long periods of time and do a test. Now I can.
Being on medication has also helped me learn about the right and wrong times to speak. I used to say stuff I didn’t mean or at the wrong time. I have realised what I need to say is not that important; it can wait until I see my friends after class.
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