Tips on Using Technology for Individuals with ADD, ADHD and Executive Functioning Concerns

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Technology has done wonders for individuals with ADD, ADHD and Executive Functioning concerns. However, using it effectively is a totally different story.

Take a few minutes and learn about it. Google offers some amazing products like online calendars and task lists that will send reminders to your cell phone on upcoming events. If you carry a smart phone, it can even be integrated with your phone’s software.

Age and ability level aren’t excuses anymore. I taught my 70-year old father about using some of the Google applications. He’s becoming really good with it. Trust me when I tell you that technology will make your life better. Give it a shot…you have nothing to lose.

For more information on my ADD, ADHD and Executive Functioning coaching, please visit www.adhdcoachchicago.com. To learn more information about some of the other services I provide, please visit www.carrolleducationalgroup.com and www.iepexperts.com. I can be found on Twitter at ADHDEFCoach. You can also find me on FacebookGoogle Plus and Tumblr. My good friend and fellow ADD/ADHD Coach Tara McGillicuddy invites me as a regular guest on ADD/ADHD Support Talk Radio. Tara does many wonderful things and you should check out her website here. Feel free to email me at jonathan@adhdefcoach.com or call 773.888.ADHD (2343) with any additional questions.

If Adults Can Carry Smart Phones, Why Can’t Kids

Image courtesy of sippakorn/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of sippakorn/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I have been a long-time advocate of learners using Smart Phones to help with organization. I carry a Smart Phone and so do most successful adults I know as well. It is an easy way to stay organized and gives the individual important information at one’s finger tips. For learners with ADD, ADHD and Executive Functioning concerns, Smart Phones become like a personal administrative assistant.

So why can’t the younger generation have access to this valuable tool? Why are adults the only ones able to incorporate this technology into his or her own life? Schools will give a variety of reasons including the obvious one of being a distraction. It’s true, kids will certainly use the Smart Phone for other things. But, wouldn’t it be helpful to incorporate this technology into education?

Here is how my life stays organized (keeping in mind that I have ADHD and Executive Functioning Deficits)…I will enter information on my Android Phone. In turn, it immediatly syncs into my GMail account (email, contacts, calendars, tasks, etc.). The information is then avaiable on the GMail website and downloaded to my computer. Wouldn’t this be helpful for young students that have trouble organizing tasks and losing outdated assignment notebooks? Plus, a parent can incorporate his or her child’s calendar into a family one if desired. Works great for everyone involved.

If we want our children to be organized and on-top of things, perhaps it’s time to stop finding reasons why children shouldn’t use modern technology. By forcing students with ADD/ADHD or Executive Functioning Deficits to rely on outdated assignment notebooks isn’t fair or effective.

For more information on my ADD, ADHD and Executive Functioning coaching, please visit www.adhdcoachchicago.com. To learn more information about some of the other services I provide, please visit www.carrolleducationalgroup.com and www.iepexperts.com. I can be found on Twitter at ADHDEFCoach. You can also find me on FacebookGoogle Plus and Tumblr. My good friend and fellow ADD/ADHD Coach Tara McGillicuddy invites me as a regular guest on ADD/ADHD Support Talk Radio. Tara does many wonderful things and you should check out her website here. Feel free to email me at jonathan@adhdefcoach.com or call 773.888.ADHD (2343) with any additional questions.