Message Center: Six steps to improved ADHD communic
Communication. Given the tendency for neurodiverse minds to ping any which way at any given time and often at a rapid pace, we ADHDers count it a win if we’re able to have a functional conversation with our own selves, much less with other people. What if there was a way for us to not only capture our thoughts for ourselves, but also in a way that others could reliably witness them too, increasing the chances of cooperative actions getting accomplished on a regular basis. Read on to learn more!
Six steps to improved ADHD communication
Pick your material for the message board: Decide which material would be best for a central message board. This could be a standard bulletin, white board, or a special electronic shared document members of a group or family could all access. Accompanying materials could include colorful whiteboard or regular markers and post-it notes placed near by the board. If it is electronic, perhaps there could be fun font colors to choose from.
Decide on a place: The board should be posted in a central location. Perhaps, in the kitchen near the refrigerator, since everyone needs to eat. If you still have a land-line, placing it near the phone might be a good idea. If its electronic, make sure everyone in the group or family knows how to access the document and it's in a central location on their phones or somewhere each individual looks often on their most used device.
Divide it into sections: Dedicate a section for each person in the group/family/household and an extra section labeled GENERAL.
Leaving a message: When you leave a message, either for a specific person or in the general section, make sure to sign it with your name, date, and time that you leave it.
Reading a message: Decide how often and methods of reminding yourselves and each other to check the message board throughout the day/week. Perhaps, you make a rule that you check the message board before you open the fridge or eat dinner. Matching the task with something you already do each day is a great way to incorporate it into your routine. You can even set an alarm for the same time each day on your phone labeled “check the message center”. Once you read and respond to a message left specifically for you, take it down so the message board doesn’t get cluttered.
General section: When reading a message in the general section, meant for everyone in the group, make sure you sign the message and date it. If you are the last one in the group to read the message, make sure you discard the message to prevent clutter.
To wrap up, improving communication and follow through between yourself and even the people within your most inner circle can be a daunting task. However, the above steps have hopefully given you some practical tips toward constructing a functional communication system that works the best for you and the people you hold most dear.