Category Archives: ADD

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Cogmed: Improving Working Memory

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Working memory challenges are common with ADHD and an intervention called Cogmed Working Memory Training (TM) can improve working memory in children and adults.

What is Working Memory?

Briefly, working memory is our ability to keep information in our mind in the short term and utilize it to complete tasks.  It is important at all ages and is used in tasks such as completing math problems in our head, completing homework, focusing during a conversation or presentation, organizing materials and getting to appointments on time.  For example, when someone forgets instructions when they leave a room, a working memory deficit may be at issue.  For more specific examples of working memory please go to http://www.cogmed.com/about-working-memory.

How does Cogmed Working Memory Training (TM) work?

Cogmed Working Memory Training (TM) is a home-based computer program that participants purchase from a qualified Cogmed practice and use in their own home for five weeks with the support of a Cogmed certified coach.  Training is completed five days per week for approximately 30 – 40 minutes at a time.

Cogmed was developed by neuroscientists and combines neuropsychology, game development and psychology in its approach.   The theory that working memory can be improved through targeted, intensive and sustained training has been scientifically proven through independent research studies. 80% of the people who complete Cogmed experience an increase in their working memory.

How can I get started?

I am excited to let you know that I have partnered with Dr. Isabelle Beaulieu of the Center for Neuropsychology, Learning and Development of Oakland County as her Cogmed certified coach.  If you are interested in learning more about Cogmed for you or your child, please contact me (248-251-4006) or Dr. Beaulieu (248-644-9466) for more information and to schedule your initial interview.

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Use Your Planner Effectively

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If you have time management or organization challenges, chances are you will benefit from using your planner more effectively.  I would like to share a few tips that I have seen work in my experience with coaching individuals with ADHD.

  • Select a planner that works for you.  See the article I wrote last year on this topic for more tips on selecting the right planner.  It includes a checklist of characteristics that you can take with you when you shop for that perfect planner.
  • Schedule time each day for planning.  If that sounds overwhelming, start with a small amount.  Can you spend 15 minutes this weekend planning next week?  Can you spend 5 minutes at the end of each day planning for the next day?  I am sure you have been told you should plan for a longer amount of time than this.  Sure, 30 minutes would be great, but that can be really overwhelming especially if you haven’t been doing much planning.  I encourage you to take small steps.
  • If you use a physical planner (as opposed to an electronic one), find a space in your office and/or home where you will always put your planner.  Still afraid you will lose it?  You could always purchase a backup planner to ensure you are never without your planner.
  • Look at your planner every single day.  Set a reminder in an electronic planner like Google Calendar that will send you an email every day.  The daily email can be great to help you remember.

How do these ideas resonate for you?  Which ones will you try?  Leave us a comment to let us know how you are doing!

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Empowering Goals

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3 Proven Strategies for Establishing Goals

that are Reachable, Empowering, and Will Position You for Success

Do you have trouble setting goals?  Do you feel a need to set better goals to increase your success?  Apply these strategies to set goals that are reachable, empowering and position you for success!

Strategy #1: Identify your challenges.

Before setting resolutions or goals, spend time identifying your challenges. If you want to become better at time management, first determine what your time management challenges are…

  • Are you always late to meetings?
  • Do you work too late in the evening?
  • Do you forget important family functions?

Ask yourself some general open ended questions and give yourself time to think through them.

  • What is missing from your time management success?
  • What is getting in the way?

Strategy #2: As part of your goal setting process, develop an action plan with small steps and set milestones.

Think about planning a trip, if you don’t have a map or a plan of how to get to your destination, you will very likely get lost.

Strategy #3: Be sure you are motivated towards your goals

Don’t set a goal just because someone else told you it was a good goal. If it doesn’t mean anything to you, you aren’t likely to work very hard to achieve it. For example, if someone really wants to get organized they are more likely to succeed than if they are only setting their nutrition goals because a family member wants them to do so.

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Turning Resolutions to Reality: Teleclass Recording

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5 Steps to Turn Resolutions into Reality

As a follow up to my recent teleclass with Cheryl Heppard of Healthy Business Coaching and  Michigan Health Coach, I am happy to share a recording of the call at http://www.attendthisevent.com/Modern/?eventid=10608915.

You owe it to yourself to listen and make sure you achieve your resolutions.  It isn’t too late!

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Coaching Tools Help Children with ADHD Achieve Goals

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Western Wayne County CHADD Meeting in Northville, MI

February 8, 2010
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.    FREE to CHADD Members or $5 donation

Coaching can provide children and teenagers who have ADHD with an avenue to set goals, develop robust action plans to achieve them and become more accountable for the follow up.  During this presentation, you will learn about coaching and how you can apply coaching tools at home.

Attend this meeting of the Western Wayne County CHADD chapter to learn what coaching does and how you can immediately apply the principles to your challenges.

Pre-registration is not required.  Meetings are held at Northville High School, room 141.

If you are interested in joining CHADD, see their website at www.CHADD.org.

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