Scatterbraindeness
I definitely have this problem and the methods I've tried to help me stay focused have not been successful. I was assigned to develop a software project for school and decided on trying to develop an application to help organize/remind Aspies, ADHD, etc. to complete tasks seeing I've been hoping to come across such a program or app to use myself but haven't really found what I had in mind. Of course, defining the problem and possible solutions is getting more complicated as I think more about it.
Anyway, I posted in the Computers, Math, Science, and Technology forum yesterday asking for any input anyone could give me. This topic is definitely pertinent.
I know some things may work for one person and not another but maybe there's some common solutions that would help most of us. What are your thoughts?
Could technology help if properly designed or have you found good methods/solutions elsewhere?
When I was in HS, and continuing into today, my mind was transfixed on so many other things, I could not focus on the studies at had in class; as a result, I did have my helpers help me, and that helped me a bit. But when I am on my own, I just cannot stop this 'traffic' from being controlled, so not much gets done.
How do you guys feel? And what can be done to help it?
I have good days and bad days. I have some days where I am super-productive and can focus and can get a lot done (though I might be a little absent minded). I have other days where everything distracts me and I can't keep track of anything. If I don't have AS, I wouldn't be shocked if I have some degree of ADHD.
Lately I've been dropping things mentally. I'll have to pause and refocus to figure out what I was doing or in what order. A lot of this is that I'm frequently interrupted at work and it's hard to get back on track after someone pops in for a word or an email comes in with an urgent request. Basically, I get derailed pretty easily. What worries me is that it's getting harder for me to remember all the strings that I had going at any one time. Either there are too many strings or I'm losing the capacity to juggle them as effectively. I've never been a good multi-tasker so I'm opting to blame the former because the latter kind of scares me.
I have been finding podcasts and the like online to help my son with school. The content may not be exactly what is in the book, but at least he is learning something instead of nothing. There may also be some kind of disability office at your college or university. Perhaps they might have some resources or suggestions?
One thing that helped me in college was taking notes in outline form from my texts. The rigor of the outline sometimes helped me better organize the concepts. Sometimes I also draw mind maps when reading stuff that is hard for me to comprehend because once I get a picture of the interrelationships in my head, it is easier for me to find the proper filing space in my brain for all of the facts.
Also, a good technique is to read the chapter summary first, followed by all of the headers, then followed by the actual text. Again, this has always helped me see the over all relationships and helped me properly put things in my brain.
This book may help...http://www.amazon.com/Organizing-Disorg ... 0061797413
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Mom to 2 exceptional atypical kids
Long BAP lineage
Webalina
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Joined: 27 Jul 2012
Age: 66
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Posts: 787
Location: Piney Woods of East Texas
Yep, and it seems to be getting worse, but I think I know why.
I've always been a bit of a ditz, although not in a way that was very damaging to my productivity. I would forget stuff or lose stuff, then I could just step back, refocus and get back on track. That was when I lived alone. Now I live with my mother, and it's really causing problems for me. She picks up behind me, interrupts my train of thought, constantly changes plans, and expects me to change my schedule to accommodate things she needs or wants to do. I rarely get an opportunity to refocus and regroup. My only hope is to write things down so I don't forget. This can also be an issue, because I'll write myself a memo in a notebook, then not be able to find the notebook because Mom picked it up and put it "somewhere."
