Casey Dixon interviewed in On Their Own, a new book on
adults with LD and ADHD
A frank and practical new book shows how coaching can help adults with LD and ADHD become independent and successful. Anne Ford, author of acclaimed memoir Laughing Allegra, interviewed me for her newest book: On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child with Learning Disabilities and ADHD, published in May 2007. In the book, I discuss life coaching as a powerful tool for creating and achieving life goals.
In On Their Own, I describe four clients who have problems on the job. Adults with learning disabilities or ADHD have trouble with forgetting, losing things, time-management, procrastination, prioritization, organization, impulsivity, impatience, motivation, focus, and dependence on other people. These problems can get in the way of my client’s success. Life coaching increases self-awareness, sets goals, clears away negative thoughts and behaviors, gives support and accountability, and helps clients take forward actions.
The first client I talk about in On Their Own, has trouble at work because he keeps blurting things out during meetings. He needs to recognize his problem, discover his triggers so he knows when he might start blurting things out, and come up with strategies so he can stop blurting, such as writing his ideas or thoughts down so he does not forget them. Coaching helps him to solve this very specific, but serious, problem.
My second client is working really hard on the job, but her energy is aimed at the wrong target. She is the very best employee on her loading dock, working harder than her co-workers. Her boss is happy, but she is miserable. Coaching helps her to redirect her energy to creating a happier future, one that uses her interests and strengths in her career.
The third client I talk about in On Their Own has a triad of problems: he loves distractions, hates scheduling his time, and can’t say no when he thinks he’s needed. He owns a multi-million-dollar business, but finds himself spending his days doing things like changing light bulbs—things that his employees could be doing while he keeps his mind on the big picture. He fears his business has stopped growing. Coaching helps him to create a mission statement, focusing his time, talent, and energy on leading his organization to the next level.
Another client wants to learn to schedule her time and organize her office. But, whenever she looks at her pile of papers her energy goes down the drain. She feels defeated every time she opens her calendar. Her mind jumps to, “Why can’t I do this?” “I can’t believe that I am so messy and disorganized,” “I will not be able to fix this problem.&lrquo; She fails even before she begins. Coaching helps her to give energy to things that give energy back, to stop negative self-talk, and to create do-able habits to help get her time and papers under control.
On Their Own is a must-read for parents who are trying to help their adult child to become independent. Adults with learning disabilities and ADHD will also benefit from this very clear guide to adult success. In addition to the section on life coaching, Ford includes advice on relationships, parenting, college, employment, health, estate planning, and inspirational interviews with prominent people with LD, such as Sir Richard Branson and Charles Schwab.
On Their Own has a Forward by Sally Shaywitz, M.D., author of Overcoming Dyslexia and prominent dyslexia scholar. The book is also recommended by Edward Hallowell, M.D., leading expert on ADHD, co-author of Delivered from Distraction, and author of CrazyBusy: Overstretched, Overbooked, and About to Snap: Strategies for Coping in a World Gone ADD.
On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child with Learning Disabilities and ADHD
By Anne Ford
with John-Richard Thompson
Forward by Sally Shaywitz
Newmarket Press, 2007
