​REDISCOVER YOUR AND/OR YOUR CHILD’S STRENGTHS

In Chris Zeigler Dendy’s 1995 book, Teenagers with ADD: A Parent’s Guide, she notes that Dr. Sydney Zentall’s reframes the way we look at the characteristics of teens with ADHD. By looking at some of our children’s traits as strengths, we can help them to properly channel their energy in positive ways.

Ms. Dendy also presents a list of positive attributes of teens created by Dr. Zentall and added to by a Georgia CHADD chapter. That list is reproduced here. The same reframes can be applied to adults with ADD as well.

Bossiness - "leadership"(albeit carried too far)

Hyperactivity - "energetic," "unlimited energy," able to conduct ten projects at the same time, work long hours

Strong-willed - "tenacious"

Stubborn - "persistent"

Poor handwriting - "maybe they’ll be a doctor one day"

Day dreamers - "creative, innovative, imaginative"

Question authority - "independent, free thinker, make own decisions"

Daring - "risk-taker, willing to try new things"

Argumentative - "persuasive, maybe attorney material"

Laziness - "laid back/Type B personalities live longer"

Instigator - "initiator/innovator"

Manipulative - "delegates/gets others to do the job"

​Failure to follow directions verbatim - "creative thinking"
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