"I Can't Follow Directions — And I Love It"
I have trouble following multi-step instructions as they're written, so I innovate, backtrack, and jump ahead instead — and have a grand time doing it.
3 Comments: "I Can't Follow Directions — And I Love It"
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Advertisement
This article made me cry. I grew up in the 1970s and 1980s as a girl with undiagnosed AdHD Inattentive and severe anxiety. I was finally diagnosed at age 39 after years of failure. I went to my doctor and cried and showed him the inside of my cluttered, messy purse. I said: this is the inside of my purse, my car, my house and my mind. Please help me. He asked me many questions He is our family doctor and knows my parents, brother and children so he diagnosed and medicated me that very day. But I still struggle daily. Funny that you mentioned an apron. I made one at school in 8th grade and it is so cute. I still have it. It’s one of the few things I finished as a kid. I never knew that my inability to follow directions was my AdDH. I thought I was just crazy. I read recipes and sewing patterns over and over and over before attempting them. It feels like my brain is stalled most of the time – except when I’m talking – I am quick with words and silly humor. My sons are having a better time than I ever did. I’m grateful for all the research and info that is out now.
“It’s hard, in many cases, for ADHD women to read subtle social cues that tell us how to act and behave. We interrupt a lot; we blurt out odd or inappropriate statements. We spend too much time on our phones. We also miss subtle cues, like what’s in style and how we’re supposed to dress.”
“my seven-year-old can cite the dates of the Battle of Yorktown, and reads at a fifth-grade level”
My husband, son and I have adhd. Many of the examples from this article make me wonder about an additional ASD diagnosis for the author and her child.
I think the embrace-your-individuality-and-live-life-in-a-way-that’s-authentic-to-you message is a great one. And if a person with adhd can figure out a career and life that doesn’t demand a more linear and conforming to the norm way of being, then that is ideal. But that’s often not easy to find. It’s great to have a spouse who can truly understand what it’s like to have adhd and who is truly accepting!