ADHD
Attentional differences or ADHD/DAVE are characterised by persistent inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity, which may impact functioning or development, but can also come with unique strengths.
Strengths can include:
- Dreaming big and thinking boldly.
- Taking adventurous, calculated risks.
- Sustaining focus on engaging tasks for long periods.
- Thinking creatively and innovatively.
- Recognising patterns where others see chaos.
- Approaching life with enthusiasm and optimism.
- Channelling high energy into meaningful pursuits.
- Being socially outgoing and charismatic.
Key challenges can include:
- Difficulty getting started with or staying focused when bored or disinterested, leading to distraction, forgetfulness, and careless errors.
- Impulsive actions resulting in poor choices, uncontrolled behaviour, and risk-taking.
- Restlessness and fidgeting, struggling to sit still when expected.
- Disorganisation and time management issues, leading to missed deadlines, unfinished tasks, and clutter.
- Procrastination, often delaying tasks until the last minute.
- Difficulty retaining information, making it hard to follow instructions or solve problems.
- Intense, fluctuating emotions that are hard to regulate, leading to addictive behaviours.
- Interpersonal challenges due to interrupting, forgetting plans, or misunderstanding others.
- Underachievement in school or work due to difficulty focusing and managing time.
- Low self-esteem stemming from repeated setbacks or failures.
- Co-occurring mood or anxiety disorders requiring coordinated care.
- Medication side effects that need careful monitoring.
- Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), causing severe emotional pain from perceived failure or rejection.
- Distractibility and forgetfulness, making it difficult to handle responsibilities effectively.
Inattentive
Hyperactive /
Compulsive
Combined
- Self-understanding and the confidence to make effective life-style changes.
- Development of strategies to improve focus, organisation, and time management.
- Present-moment awareness to enhance sustained attention and reduce distractibility.
- Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps with set time limits to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and boost productivity.
HYC will help with
The primary struggle is with sustaining attention, staying organised, and following through on tasks. Being easily distracted, forgetful, and finding it difficult to focus on uninteresting or repetitive activities are common traits.
Inattentive:
- Regular exercise and short movement breaks throughout the day to help release energy and improve focus.
- Individualised techniques to pause before acting aimed at reducing impulsivity and risky behaviour.
- A more predictable personalised daily structure to help manage hyperactivity and channel energy into productive activities.
- Strategies and changes in lived experience to reduce and overcome addictive behaviour.
HYC will help with
Characterised by excessive restlessness, fidgeting, and impulsive behaviour. Common indicators include acting without thinking, struggling to sit still, feeling driven by an internal motor, and being prone to risk-taking and impatience.
Hyperactive / Compulsive:
- Setting clear, achievable goals with rewards for completion to enhance motivation and improve focus on thought processes and tasks.
- Techniques to balance both focus-related challenges and hyperactivity, such as alternating between focused work and physical activity.
- Strategies to provide accountability and encouragement, allowing for the successful employment and maintenance of a strengths-based attitude while compassionately managing more challenging aspects.
HYC will help with
Combined ADHD involves characteristics of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity, representing the most common form of ADHD. Signs include difficulties with focus and organisation, along with impulsive actions and restlessness.
Combined:
- A holistic exploration of traits, using a strengths-based approach.
- A thorough exploration of the best fit for study and career.
- Person-centred and strengths-based employment and career support.
- Personalised study support.
- Individualised, situation-relevant assistive technology.
- Daily life skills for leading a fulfilling, successful, and healthy lifestyle.
- Workplace-based personalised employment support and adjustments.
- Diagnostic Assessment.
HYC will help with
Lived Experiences
We have gathered some examples of lived experiences, needs and the support we can offer.
Click on the box and then on each tab in turn.
Please note: strengths and weaknesses, and their combinations, are highly individual
and not determined by gender.
I have combined ADHD
Hi. I'm Raphael. I was diagnosed in my teens.
I experience both inattention and hyperactivity, and I am also very impulsive.
HYC support options
I need support with...
I have challenges
I have strengths
ADHD
HYC support options
I need support with...
I have challenges
I have strengths
ADHD
I am a creative designer with my own business. My steel band performs at festivals and in clubs.
When I am passionate about something, I can maintain focus for hours. I have decided against medication, as I feel content with how I am. Instead, I meditate and exercise regularly.
My strengths
HYC support options
I need support with...
I have challenges
I have strengths
ADHD
My challenges
Procrastination is my biggest problem. I am often on edge due to leaving work assignments to the last-minute. I tend to be late wherever I need to be, which can be frustrating for others.
Additionally, depending on my mood, I can be either too quiet or excessively talkative.
HYC support options
I need support with...
I have challenges
I have strengths
ADHD
My support needs
I need task-management tools that work for me, but so far, I haven't found any that are effective. The more I try to manage my time, the more chaotic it seems to become.
I think I need support not only for task management but also for managing my mood and everyday tasks.
HYC support options
I need support with...
I have challenges
I have strengths
ADHD
HYC Support
We will support Raphael in testing a range of potentially relevant software, while he shares his thoughts and feelings. This will help us understand what works for him, what doesn’t, and why.
Additionally, where possible, we will aim to facilitate a meeting with one of our counsellors and occupational therapists to develop an integrated support plan.
I have ADHD
My name is Emma. My attention issues were known to my family from a young age, but I wasn't assessed in school because I was bright, and the teachers were unaware of my difficulties.
My current boss has ADHD, and he arranged for me to see a specialist when I was 25.
HYC support options
I need support with...
I have challenges
I have strengths
ADHD
HYC support options
I need support with...
I have challenges
I have strengths
ADHD
I am a project manager and get on well with both colleagues and clients. I’m often told that I’m fun to be around and a reliable worker.
My strengths
HYC support options
I need support with...
I have challenges
I have strengths
ADHD
My challenges
Despite my social successes, I suffer from low self-esteem and often feel inadequate, sometimes to the point of self-hatred. I drink too much and am addicted to video games.
I hide my anxieties at work but struggle at home, which puts strain on my relationship with my partner.
HYC support options
I need support with...
I have challenges
I have strengths
ADHD
My support needs
I would like to feel more confident in being myself at work and to let my colleagues see that I am as vulnerable as they are. I believe this would help me take home less emotional baggage.
I also need help with my addictions.
HYC support options
I need support with...
I have challenges
I have strengths
ADHD
HYC Support
For more information on how we can support you, contact us.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
