Monday, June 25, 2012

Movers Dreamers and Risk-Takers by Kevin Roberts

Movers Dreamers and Risk-Takers.  Unlocking the Power of ADHD by Kevin Roberts

Seven percent of the world's population has some form of ADHD.  ADHD is the acronym for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  There is no complete set of criteria as ADHD manifests itself differently with each individual but there are commonalities.  Most ADHDer's are easily distracted, unorganized, and seekers of fun.  Traditionally they don't perform well in school because they dislike mundane tasks and sitting still for long periods of time and schools are not set up for the ADHD learning style.

Most ADHD individuals are highly creative, impulsive, intelligent, thrill seekers.  Yet many suffer low self esteem and a lack of motivation and follow through.  If you have ADHD, or are a parent of children with ADHD or a teacher, Movers Dreamers and Risk-Takers will be beneficial to you. 

Roberts grew up in a ADHD family.  He grew up to become a teacher, a comedian and an ADHD coach with a degree in ADHD studies.  He wrote this book based on his experiences with teens.  It is a funny personal look at his life as well as tips and ideas on how to respond, react and get results from your under achieving child.  This is a positive, powerful approach to (quoting the title) Unlocking the Power of ADHD.

Several parts of the book resonated with me, as my kids and I all have ADHD.  Obviously, it runs in the family.  Once I started reading Movers Dreamers and Risk-Takers, I couldn't stop as I was so inspired and my brain was going crazy with joy that someone in the world understands what my kids and I go through on a daily basis.  So much of my day is spent avoiding negative criticism (from certain people) that it is refreshing to read a positive approach at looking at ADHD.

Here are two of my favorite quotes and words to live by from the book.

"Play, excitement, and humor energize us, making us more powered-up to then tackle work that needs to be done.  Lack of these things, on the other hand, drains us.  Pg. 115

 "We have to be careful that we don't put creative people into the straight-jackets of conformity.  We live in a world that, in many ways, teeters on the brink of disaster.  The creativity so common among ADHDers is something the planet desperately needs." Pg. 119

My favorite bumper sticker and mantra sums it up nicely:  WHY BE NORMAL?