Day-Planner or PDA?

Need organization help? How to choose the right solution for adults and children with ADHD.

by ADDitude Editors

In any office supply store, you’ll see all sorts of calendars: desktop pads, notebook-style day-planners, personal digital assistants (PDAs). Which is best for an adult or child with attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD)? It depends upon the specific needs.

Let’s say you mostly have appointments, meetings, events, and other time-specific obligations, and relatively few to-do tasks. You should probably go with a calendar — nothing fancy, just one page per month.

If you have a lot of tasks, in addition to scheduled appointments, you’re probably better off with a day-planner or PDA. Most day-planners include a calendar, space to write your to-dos, and blank pages to write new ones that come up. And PDAs can be synchronized with a personal computer to supply bells and whistles—for example, e-mailing you reminders in advance of meetings.

Whatever type of calendar you select, make sure to use it. Keep it in one visible spot all the time, so you’ll remember to take it with you every time you leave the house. Try keeping it on a small table or shelf by the phone or the front door—or just leave it inside your purse or briefcase.

This article comes from the October/November 2006 issue of ADDitude.

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