Edge Foundation Blog > Archive for the 'How To’s and Tips' Category

Last month we talked about how Edge Foundation will match you with an ADHD coach. But how do you do that?

Select an ADHD Coach

When you select an Edge coach, you have access to dozens of coaches who are qualified to work with ADHD students to choose from. How do we help you narrow that list down?

Complete the sign up form.  Talk to our Coach Match Maker.

Now it’s your turn to ask the questions.

Before you agree to working with a coach, you’ll have an opportunity to interview him or her.  This is your chance to get to know the person a bit and see if she or he feels like a good fit.  But what are some of the questions you might want to ask?

ADHD coach interview questions

Here are a few questions to ask your Coach Match to help determine if they are a good fit for you.

1. How long have you been an ADHD coach?
2. Approximately how many ADD/ADHD clients have you coached?
3. What ADHD coach training and continuing education do you receive?
4. Do you have personal experience with ADD/ADHD?  Yourself or your children?
5. What will I be able to expect from you during the coaching relationship?
6. What type of issues can we work on in coaching?
7. What will a coaching session be like?
8. What will you expect from me during our coaching relationship?
9. How will you monitor my progress?  How is it evaluated?
10. Do you coach full-time or part-time?
11. What days and times are you available to schedule coaching sessions?
12. Do you use Skype?
13. Why did you become an ADHD coach?
14. What is your basic approach to ADHD coaching?

Download the ADHD Coach Interview Questions in a pdf to print.

What questions did you ask your ADHD coach? Did we miss any?

Once and a while it’s useful to dust off the mission statement and give it an airing. Edge Foundation’s primary mission is to provide students with ADHD access to qualified, professional coaches. However, we often are approached by people who fall outside of our primary service target.  And do we serve them? Absolutely.

Students. ADHD. Coaches.

Students:  people just like you.

Edge coaches know that the same approach doesn’t work for everyone.  As the old saying goes, if the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t blame the foot!  Edge ADHD coaches work with people just like you, every day, and help them find solutions that work for their lives – not for their parents, neighbors or friends.  Yes, our core clients are high school and college students with ADHD, but we also work with:

• Middle school students – we have coaches who are qualified to work with middle school-aged students.  Give our match coordinator a call (1-888- -718-8886) to help you get started.
• Adult learners – Any student is eligible for a coach. Edge coaches work with graduate students, doctoral candidates, technical college learners, returning students, adult learners, working students  — you get the picture.
• Non-students – sometimes a young person has decided to take a “gap year” or is considering vocational school.  Do we work with them?  Of course.  You don’t have to be going to school to benefit from coaching.   Coaching has proven to be an effective means for dealing with ADHD symptoms and can give a young person the edge necessary to achieve his or her full potential in all life pursuits.

ADHD:  And what if you don’t have ADHD?

Research has show than executive functioning is an important part of academic success. Experts agree that successful students usually have four qualities that help them achieve their goals:

1. Sticking with things even when the going gets tough (perseverance),
2. Ability to delay gratification and focus on the big picture,
3. Time management and organizational skills, and
4. Striking the right balance between fun and work.

ADHD coaches help clients learn skills that boost executive functioning. People with ADHD usually have executive function deficits in attention, planning and organization, prioritization, impulse control, memory, time management, and higher-order conceptual thinking.  But you don’t have to have ADHD to be struggling with one or more of those executive functions.

Do any of these things sound familiar?

• Do you do your homework but forget to hand it in?
• When finally clean out your backpack or room, do you find things you’ve “lost”?
• Do you have trouble getting to sleep on time?
• Are you often late and just can’t seem to get out the door on time?
• Do have trouble staying focused on the things you know you “should” be doing?
• Do you get bored in class?
• Do you procrastinate then swear to yourself you won’t do it next time — only to find yourself doing it all at the last minute, again?
• When faced with a task, do you know what to do first and what to do next?  And can you get yourself to do it?  And finish it?
• Do you do well on one test and practically flunk the next?
• Have your grades tanked?
• Are you overwhelmed?  Discouraged?  Behind?

While these are all hallmarks of ADHD, not everyone who has these issues has ADHD.  Yet all of those issues are ones that Edge coaches are trained to help you with. You don’t need to have an ADHD diagnosis to start working with a coach on these issues.

Coaches:  How does an ADHD coach help?

A coach is your advocate. He or she gets to know you and finds ways to help you succeed in your life.  You and your coach talk regularly and check in about how your life is going. Your coach can help you find strategies to stay organized and remember important things. Your coach can help remind you to take care of yourself and show you ways to stay focused. Your coach can also help you improve your relationships with friends, classmates, teachers, and family members. Your coach is there to talk to, strategize with, and advocate for you as long as you want.

Have you had your friends or family say to you, “If you’re so smart, why can’t you just do x?”  Do you feel you are not living up to your potential?  An Edge coach can help you.

You challenge lies not in trying hard enough.  After all you are probably already trying pretty hard, that’s why you’re here.  And it’s not that you aren’t smart enough either!

The problem lies in having a brain that just works differently, and so needs a different approach to managing these every day responsibilities?  An Edge coach can teach you a fresh perspective.

So, are you ready to learn more? Help us fulfill our vision of all people with ADHD reaching their full potential.  Sign-up today and take the first step to getting your life under your control, and find your edge!

Editor’s note:  This week we asked Kelsey Peterson to tell us about what it’s like to work with a coach over the phone. Kelsey was the student that inspired the creation of the Edge Foundation. You can find other tips and ideas about how to be successful in college with ADHD with our Free Guide:  College Success and ADHD.

Key ideas:

1. You can reach your ADHD coach by phone, text or email –- making them much more accessible to you
2. Driving takes time that a phone call doesn’t
3. ADHD coaching isn’t therapy or tutoring
4. When you work with a ADHD coach by phone, you don’t have to get organized to get started – that’s what the coach helps you do!

Why I like talking to my ADHD coach on the phone verses in person, by Kelsey Peterson

I can’t imagine what it would be like if I had to travel to see my ADHD coach once a week instead of talking on the phone like we do now. I do not think that our work together would be as successful.

One of the best things about my coach is that she is always available. I can call her to chat, I can email her if I have a question, I can even text her to confirm our scheduled talking time. If I had to get in my car, which I don’t even have, and drive out to see my coach in an office, it would be a total waste of time! I am so busy as it is. Why would I want to waste an hour travelling when I can accomplish everything I need to over the phone?

When I think of what it would be like sitting in an office with my coach talking I think of therapy or SAT tutors. My ADHD coach is not my therapist or my tutor. She helps me organize and plan so I can accomplish things.

I do not need to lay down on a coach and have her tell me everything is going to be okay. I need to tell her about my long disorganized list of to-do’s and talk with her about how to make it manageable.

When I am getting ready to talk to my coach, I sit down at my desk, I have my computer open, my calendar up, my to-do list in front of me and then I call her.

I like to get all set up with everything around me to reference. It looks like an overwhelming mess at first when I dig everything out. As my coach and I talk for thirty minutes I begin to consolidate all the sticky notes, homework assignments, and emails onto one calendar where I can rest assured everything is documented and has a time and place to get completed.

If I had to organize all my stuff then bring it with me to a meeting with her it would be too much, I would end up forgetting sticky notes that were stuffed in my other purse. When I’m on the phone, I can remember and dig them out.

My coach and I have an amazing relationship that has developed between our voices over the phone. Our thirty minute chats that happen once a week are productive and useful, no time is wasted and it is easy for me to not miss a session or forget. I set a reminder on my calendar to call at our designated time, just like a set a reminder to go to class.

So you’ve seen the video and read the research that demonstrates that ADHD coaching helps students be more successful in school – and now you’re ready to take the plunge and get a coach. You’re probably wondering how we find a coach that’s matched to your needs.

First and foremost, it is all about the connection you make with your coach.  It’s up to you – not your parents – to make the final decision about whether a coach feels right for you. And it all starts with the “Coach Match” process.

You already know that the Edge Foundation has recruited and trained some of the best coaches in the profession. If you choose an Edge Coach you know you are getting a seasoned life coach who is specially trained in working with teens and young adults with ADHD, someone who has been trained and mentored in this unique coaching specialty.

The Edge Foundation ADHD Coach Match Maker

Start by completing the Sign Up form. Don’t worry if the form looks intimidating or asks you questions you aren’t ready to answer.  You can always give Denise, our Coach Match Maker, a call to get your questions answered.

We ask you questions because we want to find out as much as we can about your specific needs.  Many people with ADHD, for example, have other issues they need addressed – like dyslexia, anxiety or depression.  The more information you provide us about your specific background and needs, the better the match Denise will be able to make.

Don’t worry, all the information you provide to us is confidential and won’t be shared with anyone without your permission.

If your parents are involved, we’ll also talk to them – with your permission of course – because they probably know you better than anyone else than you.

An ADHD coach suited to your needs and situation

After Denise has gathered all of the available information about what you are looking for, she’ll make a Coach Match.  She’ll send you background information about a coach picked specially for you. You’ll also be provided her contact information.  Before you agree to working with a coach, you’ll have an opportunity to interview with him.  You’ll have a chance to get to know the person a bit and see if he feels comfortable.  If you think the match is a good fit,  you’re done.  If you want to interview other coaches, Denise will help you with that.

We want to make it as painless as possible

Denise knows each one of our coaches well and strives to make it easy for you by making a good match for you the first time.

Some people are overwhelmed by the idea of interviewing coaches and ask us to pick someone for them. We can do that.  Other people want to interview several coaches to get a better feel for the differences between them.  We can do that too.

Bottom line, we have dozens of talented, well-trained, and experienced coaches for you to work with.  We are commited to finding a coach suited to your need and confident that you’ll find a good match at Edge.

Other resources:

• For more testimonials visit ADHD Coaching Testimonials
• Want to learn more about how coaching can help you succeed in college?  Get our free ADHD College Survival Guide.
• What to look for in an ADHD coach

Everyone procrastinates. Everyone. Sometimes there are good reasons to – it allows your subconscious to solve a problem, for example. Sometimes the reasons aren’t so good – it’s not so fun to pay your bills or clean the kitchen. And sometimes procrastinating about something is sending you a message – you really don’t need to hand decorate Christmas cookies for all your neighbors even though that is a nice idea.

Back in October, the New Yorker published a review of a new book “The Thief of Time,” a $65 collection of essays on procrastination. The article, not the book, is 3,500+ words. (That’s 5 single spaced pages in 10 point type!) So instead of sending you over there to read it, we pulled out the best ideas in the article that are worth exploring.

What do people with ADHD need to know about procrastination?

1. Procrastination is an act of doing something against one’s own better judgment. Just like Kelsey was talking about in last week’s post, Mastering Your Self Control, you know that putting something off will often end up hurting you, but you do it anyway. That’s because the thing we are doing right now (like internet surfing or updating Facebook) is more appealing than the long-term goal that you know is important (ex. researching your term paper or paying your bills.)
2. Part of the explanation for procrastination lies in our relationship to time.
   –We underestimate how long things will take to complete.
   –We don’t build in contingency time for unforeseen problems.
   –And an added comment for folks with ADHD not covered in the article, we have trouble tracking the passage of time.
3. Many people who procrastinate are “self-handicappers.” They fear success so they make it impossible to succeed. Frequently people who procrastinate spend excessive time on planning, and are never able to move to implementation and execution.
4. People who procrastinate often make goals that are too large or open ended so they have trouble seeing how to take smaller, manageable steps toward their goals.

The best part of the article was the recommendations about how to move past procrastination. Instead of thinking about procrastination as something you can overcome by trying harder, you should rely on external tools to help you succeed at your goals. The example the author gave was Ulysses tying himself to the mast so he could sail past the Sirens without crashing his ship on the rocks. The rope was the external tool. Listening to the Sirens without peril was the goal. At Edge we call the external tool a coach.

Think of your ADHD coach as Ulysses’ mast and rope

A coach can give you external accountability so you can stay on track. They might not tie you to the mast, but they will send you email checking in to be sure you are taking small steps each day toward your larger goal. A coach is different from your parents or partner nagging you. Ulysses crew didn’t force him to be tied to the mast – he asked them to do it.

By the way, ADHD Coaching is proven to work at reducing procrastination. Check out this article for more information.

So next time you are putting yourself down or apologizing for procrastinating and letting yourself or someone else down, consider getting an Edge ADHD coach. Trying harder next time won’t fix the problem, but putting in place the external controls and support of an ADHD coach can!

Note:  this week’s post is by guest blogger, Kelsey Peterson.  Kelsey was the student that inspired the creation of the Edge Foundation.  You can find other tips and ideas about how to be successful in college with ADHD with our Free Guide:  College Success and ADHD.

What is self-control? I have been struggling with self-control lately. I feel like I always know what’s best but there is an inner child in me telling me to do what feels good in the moment! I went to Starbucks last week because I was running late and missed breakfast. I knew that I should order the oatmeal because it was healthy and it would keep me full longer – but the lemon bread looked so good. I caved (to myself) and got the lemon bread, but regretted it an hour later when I was starving. That inner voice that was so strong it “made” me order the lemon bread when I knew the oatmeal was a better choice.

We all have a voice inside us, some people call it our “inner child.” This voice tells us what we want to hear.  It can be hard to resist, and easy to give in. Everyone has a different inner child who throws inner tantrums for different reasons. For example, I also struggle with being late in part because my inner child tells me “I can stay in bed for five more minutes.” Self-control comes from you knowing what is best for yourself and doing it.   I just wish it wasn’t so hard!

When I was a kid, home with my parents, I was allowed to be a child inside and out because I knew my parents were there and helped make decisions for me. My parents always had my best interest at heart when making decisions for me and I trusted them to make the right ones.

When I went to college and I was away from home I had to learn how to be my own parent. Now it’s my time as an adult to start being my own inner parent and take care of myself. It’s often not fun making the right choice in the moment of temptation,  but I am always happier afterwards if I do. Here are some simple hints that helped me master my self control.

I start by identifying what I’m struggle with. For example, I am struggling with working out. I want to work out five days a week but I keep messing up.

I figure out why this important to me in the long term. I want to work out every morning because I want to be healthy and look good.

I think about how this fits with my long-term goals. I find it helps to think about my long-term goals because as a kind of reality check for myself. When I find my inner child telling me, “you could go to the gym or you could sleep one more hour”, my inner parent will tell me “I am going to the gym right now because I know I will if I do I will be prepared for the half marathon next summer”. My long-term goal reminds me why I care about something and how it’s really the best choice.

I use my coach to help stay on track. Tell your coach about your long-term goals and what you need from him/her to help you achieve it. For me just telling my coach helps because then I feel accountable. Also my coach helps me with short term check points to help me reach my long-term goal. My coach checks in with me weekly to see if I have met my weekly goal of working out five times a week. If I have met my goal then I get a “prize”. I get to treat myself by sleeping in on Sunday and going to brunch with my friends and having a mimosa, If I missed a day during the week then I have to get out of bed early, go to the gym and skip brunch. This is motivation during the week because I hate working out on Sunday and I love brunch!

I challenge you!

Pick something that you struggle with, maybe it’s getting your homework done early instead of waiting till the last minute, or not spending hours on Facebook. Whatever it is that you find your inner child pulling you towards when you know its not what’s best for you that is where you need to master your self-control.

Editor:  This week we are pleased to be able to share an interview with Stephanie Sarkis PhD.   Dr. Sarkis shares her financial management wisdom as the author of ADD and Your Money:  A Guide to Personal Finance (and three other books listed at the end of this post.)  A National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Boca Raton, Florida, Dr. Sarkis provides counseling and coaching to children and adults with ADHD/ADD.

Edge:  Let’s start with the big picture.  What do you see are the unique challenges that people with ADHD have concerning money that other people don’t?

Dr. Sarkis: People with ADHD have more impulsive spending that people without ADHD, and lack of organization skills can be a real challenge.  Bills may be paid late (or not at all) due to the simple fact that a person with ADHD has difficulty remembering when a bill is due, and may have difficulty figuring out where they put the bill.

Edge:  How can parents help their ADHD students get started with building money management skills?

Dr. Sarkis: While in high school, parents should get their teen a checking and savings account (many banks have “starter” accounts that require a low minimum balance).  Have your child start paying some of their costs (for example, their cell phone) out of this account.  If your child does not have an after-school job, they can earn money by doing chores around your house.  Also show your child how to keep their financial documents in a file cabinet.  In addition, teach your child how to use money management software, such as Quicken.

Edge:  What advice would you give to ADHD college students who are responsible for their finances for the first time?

Dr. Sarkis: Find a bank that has branches both where you live and where your parents live.  Get your account and your parents’ account connected online.  In case you need money, your parents can transfer it right online.  Use direct deposit for paychecks and student loans and use automatic withdrawal for bills.  Also, if you do use a credit card, only use one with a low limit ($500, for example).  Also remember that debit cards automatically take money out of your account, so it’s important to keep track of those withdrawals.

Edge:  What are the signs to watch for that indicate you need help with your finances?

Dr. Sarkis:

• Consistently asking for money to cover your debts
• Regularly making impulsive purchases
• Not making at least the minimum payment on your credit cards
• Creditors are calling you because of late payments
• You are paying late fees because you forget to pay your bills

Edge:  Many ADHD experts suggest that you ask your husband or wife to be the responsible party for managing the money.  What are things a single person can do to get that kind of outside support?

Dr. Sarkis: Hiring a bookkeeper or personal assistant can help you get your finances organized and can help you get some money saved up in the bank.  If you are concerned about the cost of hiring someone, see if you can barter services.  If you are considering asking a relative or friend for help, ask yourself if this person can keep information about your finances confidential.  There definitely are money management options for those that are single!

Edge:  What should you look for in a person who can help you get your finances under control?

Dr. Sarkis: It is important that the person is local, as they may be able to meet you where you live and help you get organized.  It is also important to get references for the person (and check them).  It is also recommended that you do a background check either online or going to your local police station.  You also want someone who has worked before with people who have chronic disorganization issues.  You don’t have to mention “ADHD”, but it does help to tell the person that you need help getting organized and getting your finances under control.

Edge:  How can an ADHD coach help you get your finances under control?

Dr. Sarkis: An ADHD coach can help you organize your financial papers and find a system that you can keep organized.  Sometimes the issue isn’t so much getting organized,  it’s more of an issue keeping things organized. An ADHD coach can also show you tips and suggestions for curbing impulsive spending.  ADHD coaches can also help you set up (and synchronize) online banking software.  They can also set up direct deposit and automatic withdrawal for you.  It also helps to have someone who helps keep you accountable for your spending habits.  If you know someone will be checking up on you, you are less likely to splurge on an item you don’t really need.

Dr. Sarkis is the author of four books: 10 Simple Solutions to Adult ADD: How to Overcome Chronic Distraction & Accomplish Your Goals (2006); Making the Grade with ADD: A Student’s Guide to Succeeding in College with Attention Deficit Disorder (2008); ADD and Your Money: A Guide to Personal Finance for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (2009); and Adult ADHD: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (May 2011).

Other ADHD Expert Interviews you might be interested in:

Dr. Patricia Quinn:  Girls with ADHD Face Special Challenges

Dr. Patricia Quinn:  Update on Girls with ADHD

Carolyn Durkarm, M.D.:  ADHD, Obesity and Eating Disorders

Robert Tudisco:  Disclosing Your ADHD — Pros and Cons

Jodi Sleeper-Triplett:  Coaching Young People with ADHD

Dear Edge Coach,

I’ve decided that an ADHD coach sounds right for me. What do I look for when selecting a coach?

Signed, Ready to work

Dear Ready,

Coaching is a contract in which you and your coach define your goals and plan how to achieve those goals. You provide the goals, the coach provides structure, support and accountability. When selecting a coach look for someone who :

• Is certified through a reputable program that involves ADHD coach training geared toward students.

• Understands the unique challenges you face with your ADHD in a school environment and in your life.

• Is flexible and one you feel comfortable with (this is not a decision for your parents to make – the coach is working with you!).

• Offers the option of working by phone/Skype or in person if necessary.

• Is comfortable working, as needed, in coordination with your therapist, tutor, faculty advisor or other professionals for your best interest.

A good coach will help you identify and gravitate towards your strengths, while navigating around your weaknesses. Working with the right coach you soon find you’re stronger at advocating for yourself and your stress is dramatically reduced because you are on track and following a plan. Good luck!

Believe it or not, fall is a good time to think about money. Not only is it the beginning of a new school year – often accompanied by new levels of allowance and responsibilities – but just around the corner the holiday season with all of its temptation is coming.

Money management can be a serious issue for people with ADHD. A  UMASS study (2003/2004) found that 67% of adults with ADHD had trouble managing money. That’s compared to the control group where only 15% had money management problems. Why? CHADD (an ADHD advocacy and awareness nonprofit) reports that their research shows ADHD adults make more impulse purchases, have higher credit balances, are more often late on bill payments, had lower savings rates and bounced checks more often than others.

Impulse spending has a lot to do with ADHD money management issues. There are a number of things you can do to get on top of your impulse spending. (We’ve covered this topic before but it doesn’t hurt to pull out those tips and review them.)

1. Know the difference between “needs” and “wants”
2. Make a budget before you go into a store, and stick to it
3. Keep it in cash – use plastic for emergency use only (in fact put a sticker on your credit/debit card that says just that!)
4. Avoid the mall and browsing catalogs – they both are screaming “buy me”
5. Don’t borrow money from friends
6. Stay away from casinos

Are these all tips you are already doing? Do you feel like you’ve heard this all before? Yet you still feel like you can’t get your finances under control. You need an ADHD coach.

An ADHD coach can help you find a money management system that works for you.

See the problem is that for some people using their debit card for all purchases is the trick that works, and for others it’s never going shopping without a friend. ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all condition. Every person who has ADHD experiences it a bit differently. There is no magic cure. An ADHD coach can help you figure out what works with your style, your strengths, and you budget. It can feel like a big financial commitment to get a coach, but the long term payoff can mean getting control of your finances, saving for the future and no more sick feeling every time you get the mail.

What are your challenges with money? Let us know in the comments and we will do our best to address them!

Do you ever hold back about sharing that you have ADHD?  You aren’t alone.  Some people’s parents tell them not to disclose it for fear their child will be discriminated against.  Some people hold back because they are ashamed of the impact ADHD has on their lives.  Still others can’t face another conversation explaining how ADHD is a real condition – not symptom of bad parenting, media hype or poor diet.  It can feel risky to reveal you have ADHD.

Sharing that you have ADHD with your friends, families and teachers is a very private and personal decision.  With ADHD Awareness Week just around the corner (September 13 – 17, 2010), we’d like to offer a few thoughts about the positive side of disclosing your ADHD and using it as an opportunity to educate others.

1. Secrecy breeds shame: Keeping a secret that is never discussed has a dark side – it can leave you feeling like there is something wrong with you that you have to hide.
2. Secrecy build barriers: When you decide to hold back about your ADHD, you build a little wall between you and that person.  The longer the wall is in place, the harder it will be to disclose the truth.  While the other person is oblivious, you can end up spending a lot of energy worrying about being discovered.
3. Secrecy keeps YOU in the dark: You can’t educate yourself about ADHD very easily if you aren’t open about having it.  Asking questions of an expert, sharing experiences with other people who have ADHD and learning strategies to work with your strengths and weakness – all require that you are open about having ADHD.
4. Secrecy can hurt you: If the people around you don’t understand that you have ADHD, they don’t have the same kind of compassion for your mistakes as they might otherwise have if you’d give them the opportunity.  Moreover, you need to be able to disclose your ADHD status if you want to receive accommodations in school.

Being Open About ADHD

We hope we’ve shown you some of the positive side of  “coming out” with your ADHD with your family and friends.  If you do, may we recommend you don’t just blurt it out there?  But that you take a three step, thoughtful approach to disclosing your ADHD status:

1. Take the time to do it right. Tell people when you have time to talk about it and they can ask you questions.  There are a lot of misperceptions about ADHD out there and people often don’t have any idea what it means to have ADHD.
2. Educate yourself. Be ready with information about what ADHD is and how it affects people. ADHD affects everyone differently and so understanding your own symptoms and need for support will empower you to advocate for yourself much more effectively. There are tons of resources on the web.  A particularly good one that addresses common concerns people may raise was written by ADHD Coach, Pete Quily http://www.addcoach4u.com/doesaddreallyexist.html.
3. Ask for help. When you talk about your ADHD, don’t be afraid to ask people to help you out.  That can mean being understanding when you slip up by being late, interrupting or running in three different directions.  Married couples should definitely spend time working out the give and take of an ADHD relationship in managing home life.

Finally, if you do share, be sure to pat yourself on the back.  By being open, educating others and asking for help, you pave the way for other people with ADHD to share and learn – or even discover for the first time that they aren’t stupid, lazy or inconsiderate – they just have ADHD!

Do you disclose your ADHD or keep it to yourself?  Have you ever had a bad experience in sharing?  Tell us your story in the comments.