Advantages of ADD in a High-Tech Career

[John Gutmann]

Originally Posted by bombadier337

If everyone disagrees with me I'll shut up, but here's my opinion. I exhibit almost all of those character traits, and have never been diagnosed with ADD. I've always believed ADD is a personality trait that's treated as a disease. I mean, it has always struck me as weird when kids are like "I have ADD" like they're sick. Anyway, just my $0.02, was reading this thread and figured I'd see if anyone else shares my viewpoint.

If you had ADD you would understand that people don't choose not to sit still and they literally cannot help it. I am not scolding you I am just letting you know that for most people like me it is just the hardest thing in the world.

I think the learning thing is right. In math I just look at something and I am good at it right away. So I spend the rest of the class counting ceiling tiles or calaculating the surface area of the floor in the school so can figure out how may tiles there is on it. I just HAVE to be busy with something.

[Allison K]

ADD has been a huge bonus for me in FIRST. The ability to thrive on choas as opposed to dissolving into a blind panic has always worked out well for me. Also, being able to thread my brain works out because I can simultaneously focus on multiple aspects of the team, and keep track of multiple projects at once.

That being said ADD is also still a challenge sometimes. As a mentor, I still have issues with trying to keep records and keep track of paperwork, both of which are important.

~Allison

[Pavan Dave]

Thats what I'm saying. I can not sit still for my life... I would like to but it is the hardest task in the world. I feel as if I have to be doing something every nanosecond of every day doing something. I can do something if interested like math, I would rather do 100 qudratic equasions, (I'm in Algebra II), rather than write a two page essay on anything....

Can anyone relate?

-Pavan

[Salik Syed]

I don't know if I have ADD or not, but i have often been called "fidgety" . as in I am bored or distracted extremely easily, and I cannot sit unoccupied... in my boring classes i am either asleep or madly scrawling drawings in notebooks... I do not take notes for any of my classes... i flipped through last years Calculus notebook and I had like 4-5 pages worth of actual NOTES for the whole year .. the rest was all drawings . I get anxious if i am unoccupied like i tap fingers start humming guitar solos or something... it annoys the crap out of people cuz i finish a test and if its after lunch and i'm not sleepy i make a lot of noise humming or tapping fingers.

is that ADD ... i don't know... i asked my doctor and he said if i get good grades i don't have ADD

[KenWittlief]

if you characterize ADD people as hunters (instead of farmers) or pilots (instead of passengers) or warriors (instead of bankers) you start to see why our educational system was not designed for us ADD-people.

The fact that you feel out of place in school is a good indication that you are out of place in school. Many ADD-people are very intelligent and are able to compensate for poor study/note taking/ organizational skills, getting through by the seat of their pants instead.

BTW: you should be able to google up plenty of websites with tests or check lists that will answer your question.

[Pavan Dave]

Here is a test I took that said I might possibly have it.

Take Test By Clicking Here.

It is about 50 something questions. If a question does not pertain to you click na/ other wize awnser 0-4

-Pavan

[KenWittlief]

that test is a little strange

"do you have symptoms of ADD?" THATS WHAT IM TAKING THE TEST TO FIND OUT!

"do you tend to snap at people a lot?" oops! Sorry. :^)

[Kenta]

I can actually relate with that article.

Though, I have ADHD and not ADD.

[Pavan Dave]

I still dont get the difference between the two.

-Pavan

[KTorak]

I'd probably be diagnosed with a small bit of ADD. As for meds, I probably wouldnt take them. But I do exhibit alot of the typical "traits" if you call them. It drives me crazy to be in classes that don't interest me, but even if I barely pay attention, I'll pull a stong A in it. I also always have to be doing something. Normally I'm at my PC playing a game, chatting with a friend, or reading up on forums I belong to...I rarely just sit down and watch a movie or a TV show...I'll get up and go do something else half way through. Also, if i'm doing something...I'm completely involved and you have to drag me away from it. I just can't stop working on something or reading something part of the way through. My parents will bug me for an hour until I finally finish something and go get dinner.

The little test thing said it's likely that I have ADD...go figure.

[dshidler]

I still dont get the difference between the two.

-Pavan

ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder while ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. The latter meaning they are more energetic and have a very difficult time sitting down, while ADD you still have those problems just not nearly as severe. I've been diagnosed with ADD since 2nd grade and have been taking medication for it since then. Sometimes I'll forget to take it and in the middle of the day will actually be able to tell I had forgotten. The medication makes all the difference because on those days that I'll forget to take it, I get close to no work done unless it is in my technical based classes (aka my interest).

Hope I cleared up any confusion.

[Pavan Dave]

Originally Posted by dshidler

ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder while ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. The latter meaning they are more energetic and have a very difficult time sitting down, while ADD you still have those problems just not nearly as severe. I've been diagnosed with ADD since 2nd grade and have been taking medication for it since then. Sometimes I'll forget to take it and in the middle of the day will actually be able to tell I had forgotten. The medication makes all the difference because on those days that I'll forget to take it, I get close to no work done unless it is in my technical based classes (aka my interest).

Hope I cleared up any confusion.

Thanks for clearing it up man.

Pavan

[Hexagram]

You forgot that part...

you know, when you're working and everything is fine.

oh...wait...what's that colorfull banner ad? online flash games no way! you look at the clock, 3 hours have passed, and you got nothing done.

I. Hate. That. Part. =[

[MattD1Drift]

Heh, I've never had to take notes for anything in my life, and actually, when I study, I end up doing worse on a test. Go Figure!

[KenWittlief]

Originally Posted by MattD1Drift

Heh, I've never had to take notes for anything in my life, and actually, when I study, I end up doing worse on a test. Go Figure!

ok, figuring....

A. you have taken tests and not done well on them
B. you have never taken notes in your life
C. when you study for a test you end up doing worse.

So what are you studying then if you've never taken any notes in your classes?

something doesnt add up! If you always ace your tests then ok, you dont need to take notes. But if you have trouble with some tests then you need to rethink your study process.