Having Attention Deficit Disorder might mean that a person has trouble listening, forgets things easily, or talks excessively. He or she may have trouble sitting still or following directions. Those with ADD may also be in a state of constant disorganization.
However, when a person is comfortable enough in his own skin to have a sense of humor about his own disorder, he can put a smile on his own – and someone else’s – face.
Listening Skills and Impulsivity
Symptom: He may blurt out what is on his mind even while someone else is in the middle of speaking.
Excuse: "I just had to say what was on my mind before I forgot!" or "Well, you were talking too much anyway!"
Symptom: He may be "spacey" or seem to be looking elsewhere when someone is talking.
Excuse: "You should have made sure I was listening to you!"
Symptom: He may not follow through completely on instructions at home, school, or work.
Excuse: "It should have been written down for me," or "There was too much noise, I got distracted," or "You were telling me too many things at one time, I got overwhelmed."
Symptom: He talks excessively, with no room for pause.
Excuse: "I was just trying to express myself!" or "I’m just confiding my innermost feelings, that’s all!"
Symptom: He can’t be bothered to listen to instructions when playing a sport or a new game, and therefore does not understand how to play.
Excuse: "I didn’t want to play anyway," "I have better things to do," or "This is a dumb game."
Symptom: He makes impulsive, violent decisions such as acting out toward another student or coworker.
Excuse: "He started it," "He deserved it," "That’s the first time I ever did that" (even if it wasn’t), or "It wasn’t my fault."
Hyperactivity and Restlessness
Symptom: He can’t stay in his chair at school or at work for more than five minutes at a time.
Excuse: "I just wanted to sharpen my pencil!" or "I thought I’d made the boss some coffee!" or "I wouldn’t want my legs to fall asleep!"
Symptom: He can’t play quietly or at a prolonged activity.
Excuse: "I’m just using my imagination!" or "That was boring, let’s do something else."
Forgetfulness and Carelessness
Symptom: He forgets his homework, he forgets to buy half the things on the grocery list – he just forgets.
Excuse: "My mom should have put my homework away for me," "My wife should have gone with me to the store," "I’m way too busy to remember such unimportant stuff," or "How can anyone be expected to remember so much?"
Symptom: He makes careless mistakes.
Excuse: "There was too much to remember," "It should have been written down for me," or "It’s too hard."
Symptom: He acts bored and restless all of the time.
Excuse: "There’s nothing to do," "I’m tired of the same old thing," or "I just need a change of pace."
Disorganized and Confused
Symptom: He leaves piles of paperwork in a state of confusion and disarray.
Excuse: "I don’t have time to stay organized," "There’s no room in here," or "No one helps me keep things straight."
Symptom: He is always late to school or appointments.
Excuse: "Too much traffic," "I had too much to do this morning," "I woke up late," or "I got sidetracked on the computer."
A common thread in many excuses made by people with Attention Deficit Disorder is that they are unwilling or unable to find fault with their own mannerisms. They may be in denial that they are inattentive or hyperactive, or they may truly feel that someone else should be checking up and keeping tabs on them. One thing that is not funny is when people use excuses to the point where they never take personal responsibility for their actions.
It takes an enormous amount of maturity for any person to realize that the only one who can take of him is he himself. If it’s hard to follow instructions, take notes. If it’s hard to listen, slow down the conversation or alert the person that you’re having trouble listening and need to take a break. If organization, forgetfulness, or lateness are problems, keep a daily notebook to record appointments and file papers as soon as they hit the desk. Do whatever it takes – so that the excuse list doesn’t get any longer.
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