Attention disorders are common in children, adolescents, and adults. Some students who have attention disorders appear to daydream excessively, and once you do get their attention, they can be easily distracted. Individuals with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble organizing tasks or completing their work. They don’t seem to listen to or follow directions, and their work might be messy or appear careless. Although they are not strictly classified as learning disabilities, ADD and ADHD can seriously interfere with academic performance, leading some educators to classify them with other learning disabilities.4
If you have trouble paying attention or getting organized, you won’t really know whether you have ADD or ADHD until you are evaluated. Check out resources on campus or in the community. After you have been evaluated, follow the advice you get, which might or might not mean taking medication. If you receive a prescription for medication, be sure to take it according to your physician’s directions. You can also improve your focus through your own behavioral choices, whether or not you have an attention disorder. The Web site for the National Institute of Mental Health offers the following suggestions for adults with attention disorders:
A professional counselor or therapist can help an adult with ADHD learn how to organize his or her life with tools such as a large calendar or date book, lists, reminder notes, and by assigning a special place for keys, bills, and paperwork. Large tasks can be broken down into smaller, more manageable steps so that completing each part of the task provides a sense of accomplishment.5