By Dr. Lara Honos-Webb

Adults with ADD, take heart: A little technology goes a long way to overcome disorganization, piles, messes, missed appointments and deadlines.

In my work coaching Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder, I often find that they are impatient. They need to be convinced to take the time to learn technologies that will improve their productivity and organization. It takes some patience, focus and attention to detail to learn how to use any new technology effectively.

ADD adults' main impairments involve organization, attention to detail, and the ability to complete tasks. Fortunately, there are many technologies to help support these symptoms. If you feel threatened by the demands of learning a new technology, remember: just as a diabetic person needs insulin to thrive, becoming competent with assistive technologies is a necessary part of life for people with ADD.

Piles and more piles

If you're an adult with ADD, chances are that you're familiar with the concept of having your addresses, notes, lists, and appointments scattered all over the place. You think you can manage by occasionally organizing piles, but that doesn't last. At one time I had several Franklin Planners, all in different places, each one prone to getting lost. I also used to collect address books with inspirational quotations or beautiful art on the cover, each with its own separate, partially overlapping collection of contact information.

I know: it's frustrating and embarrassing to continually lose things and information, but you can help manage your to symptoms. All you need is Microsoft Outlook and some patience.

Outlook is bright

Outlook is a powerful tool for increasing organization and follow-through. The Contacts application can replace address books, the Calendar can replace Franklin Planners. The Tasks feature can replace sticky pads and legal pads; and when you receive an email with a task, a date or an important contact, you can immediately cut and paste all the relevant information into the matching application.

By having your urgent information in more than one place (i.e. E-mail, Calendar, and Contacts), the chances of missing an appointment or a deadline are eliminated.

Since ADD adults need frequent prompts, bringing one's attention back to important and urgent tasks, Outlook's reminders are a boon. Programming your computer to have your reminders pop-up can serve a vital function in coping with ADD.

Use your gifts

In The Gift of Adult ADD (New Harbinger Publications, 2008), I argue that the traits of ADD — including creativity, multitasking, and the need for stimulation — are a good match for the emerging digital and technological world. Most industries — not just technology — thrive on inventiveness. The capacity to innovate is one of the signature gifts of ADD.

If you can balance your natural talents with the motivation to learn supportive technologies, you will have the full package to succeed, stay organized and make important contributions in your professional vocation.

For more ADD tips and tools, visit http://www.visionarysoul.com.

About the author

Dr. Lara Honos-Webb is a clinical psychologist and author of the bestselling books The Gift of ADHD and Listening to Depression (New Harbinger Publications). Sign up to receive Dr. Honos-Webb's free newsletter.

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