Organizing Solutions for People With Attention Deficit Disorder: Tips and Tools to Help You Take Charge of Your Life and...

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 192 pages
• Published by: Fair Winds Press December 1, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 159233234X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1592332342
• Book Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.5 inches
• Weighs: 1.4 pounds

Product Review
Pinsky brings real-life experience to her topic. Not only is she a professional organizer and member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, but she is also the parent of a child with attention deficit disorder (ADD). These two roles led to her creating simplified organizational systems specific to the requirements of those with ADD. The book's first section explains her organizational methods; the second targets specific areas, rooms, or events that are common to almost everyone and typically present a challenge to organize and keep organized. Pinsky uses an abundance of before-and-after color photographs as well as yellow Post-its«-styled notes to highlight tips for organization. Her organizational philosophy can apply to everyone, not just those with ADD. This book is easy to read, and the pictures clearly depict the look of organization. Highly recommended for all public libraries. - Library Journal January, 2007

Product Description
ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, are prevalent in society today, afflicting about 4.4% of the adult population, which is over 13 million Americans. Four out of every five adults do not even know they are ADD, and while it is often difficult to differentiate adults with true ADD from adults who are merely forgetful and disorganized, Organizing Solutions for People with ADD outlines new organizing strategies that will be of value to anyone who wants to improve their organizational, or lack of, skills in their life. The chapters consist of practical organizing solutions for ADD at Work; prioritizing, time management, and organizing documents, ADD at Home; paying bills on time, de-cluttering your house, scheduling and keeping appointments, ADD with Kids; driving them to various activities, grocery shopping and meals, laundry, babysitters, organizing drawers and closets, and ADD and You; organizing time for your social life, gym, and various other hobbies and activities. Color photographs that capture the short attention span of the reader are featured throughout, as well as sidebars and testimonials from adults with ADD, providing numerous organizational tips, such as, the importance of dividing time into minutes or moments, task completion, how to avoid procrastination, asking for help, and how not to be a packrat.

Reader Reviews
In a really well laid out and visually appealing book, Susan Pinsky takes us on a tour of our homes, and suggests ways to make cleaning them up and establishing systems to minimize the chaos and clutter... Turning to many of the pages - - empathizing with virtually ALL of the problems she identified I almost found myself chuckling then wanting to cry... I imagine that most ADD'ers have had "issues" with shame and conflict resulting for difficulty cleaning and getting organized (especially when living with other people.) Here in this book Pinsky offers solutions that center mostly around themes of practicality - - simplification and de-cluttering... A recurrent theme is never to choose an organization system because of how it looks... but rather the steps it minimizes... In the world of ADD the goal is simple and practical, not ideal and perfect... I found this re-currant focus particularly useful because until recently I had no concept of cleaning... cleaning has always been a struggle for me and when I do I tend to over-do it and in the process of "micro-focusing" (as she calls it) get totally lost and get nothing done... only ending up more frustrating... however, one chapter suggests storing washing rags under the sink in a bucket... Immediately, I went to the kitchen, collected up all the rags laying in, on, around, near the sink, on the tables, on the floor even in the closet and did thusly... and have to admit I felt really proud when I actually decided to make an effort to do the dishes and immediately was able to grab the rag like a pro. - - Also, I really appreciate her advice against stacking things when storing them -- as things become hard to find, it becomes particularly problematic to a person with ADD, who instead of being able to add the item to its place, simply will give up and throw it everywhere rather than tear the closet apart... I do have one serious criticism of the book... I think its serious but I'm still giving it 5 stars because of all the other stuff. A major theme of the book is de-cluttering... For sure, it is great advice, but the author offers advice on de-cluttering children and teenagers room which I feel is intrusive and although a short term solution, may offer more problems in the long term. As an example she suggests to ask the child to pick out toys he wants to give to charity... great advice... then goes on with her evil plan: - -she says to get it over with quickly as all children have closure issues with toys... then when the child is not around simply go in the room and get rid of all other toys he or she seems not to use... (!) - - She herself seems to feel a momentary pang of guil and mentions that as the parent you know best and have to do what's best for the child... I disagree with this: my parents constantly made efforts to organize my room and it only created a lot of resentment and antagonism... I appreciated the room suddenly becoming clean and fresh looking, but had a sense of hate and mistrust due to the intrusion and felt as if I had to hide thing to keep them from being thrown out... and also felt victimized, shamed and angry my personal space was invaded... perhaps this is a serious issue with many ADD'ers and would advice instead that instead of a one time purging perhaps having a special time of the week every week to discuss getting rid of things not needed... and even offering some kind of exchange/reward... (As for going into a teenager's room... woe daddy... let's not get into that!) In conclusion, I really wish someone had given me this book years ago... what Ritilin can't achieve, Pinsky's advice can... there is hope. As I side note - - there was a picture of a pantry that really cracked me up... the products were the exact same as the ones in my parents house... I strongly suspect that she keeps kosher!