Have you got ADD and still went in to have a good life? If so, what helped?

[TR888]

Sorry if I've phrased the title clumsily.

I think my DD11 might have ADD and have asked her GP for a referral to Rygate. She's really slow to get dressed in the morning, very messy, struggles to manage her frustration and so on.

I know ADD doesn't mean she'll always have a difficult life, but sometimes I wonder how she'll manage once she's an adult and has a job, etc. What's the experience of living with ADD been like for you, and how csn I help her?

My 21yo has ADD. He is at uni. He is learning to put in place external organising aids as he lacks the ability to organise himself. Diaries all appointments and reminders week in advance, block out calendar time to get assignments done on time etc. Multiple alarms. It's slow but he is improving.

Lists, routines and grit x

Thank you both, I was away yesterday and didn't check in here. I'd love more ideas to help my daughter.

Idk if this is helpful, but I'm about to be assessed for ADHD/ADD and autism as an adult (already diagnosed dyspraxic and a cocktail of mental illnesses) and I think I have a good life. I mean the mental illnesses aren't great, but I have friends and I'm completing a degree at a well-respected university, I've held down a part time job etc. You can help her by not making her feel like she's inherently broken (which I'm sure you won't!), and by helping her with strategies like lists and alarms and reminders to gradually build up independence. You're already doing a brilliant job getting her help. And if she's anything like me, she might always take forever to get ready in the morning lol, you just have to learn to live with it and make time and take shortcuts when you can

That's very reassuring, thank you! Good luck with your studies.

I was diagnosed with adhd this year and I've had a good life. Work can be difficult but once I have a system in place then I'm flying it. Study has always been my downfall but had I been diagnosed then I think with the proper support then I would have done far far better.

My younger daughter is about to be diagnosed with similar. One of the things the Ed psychologist and another specialist said to me is that it's one of the conditions which least impacts you in adulthood on the basis that (a) you are not in the rigours of school
Life which are pretty uncompromising; (b) you can choose what you do and what plays to your strengths; and (c) you can put in lots of prompts / work around to help you and you are more aware of your challenges.

Mapping strengths and then getting support for things that are hard. Knowing your own brain, when it's likely to go tits up...

I'm in the minority probably in being grateful I didn't find out until I'm older. I've been on a right old journey and now have a very ADHD-friendly life but it's taken a lot of engineering.

Asking for help is my biggest strength. Not to have people do stuff for me, more just to keep me on track.