I'm trying to train a 24 year old a skilled trade, We are 1-1/2 years into a 4-1/2 apprenticeship, The problem I'm having is that he as A D D (did not know when is was hired ) The symptoms he has are-

• <SMALL>Often fails to give close attention to details or makes mistakes in work;</SMALL>
• <SMALL>difficulty sustaining attention in tasks; </SMALL>
• <SMALL>seems not to listen; </SMALL>
• <SMALL>fails to follow instructions or finish work; </SMALL>
• <SMALL>unorganized; </SMALL>
• <SMALL>difficulties with work or homework; </SMALL>
• <SMALL>loses things like , tools, etc.; </SMALL>
• <SMALL>easily distracted; </SMALL>
• <SMALL>forgetful about daily activities. </SMALL>
• <SMALL>Always tired</SMALL>

<SMALL>He is a good kid, and is on time every day, This is the first time i had to work with someone with A D D and at time very difficult. I want to give him every chance possible</SMALL>
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<SMALL>Should i keep trying with him, I don't know what i should do ?</SMALL>
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<SMALL>Any advice or insight about A D D will be helpful. Thanks.</SMALL>
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Is he taking any meds for add? My son has it & he is fairly normal if he takes his welbutrin. Without it he has all the symptoms you listed. Your apprentice may have to try several different meds to correct his symptoms but its worth the trouble.

 

slightly joking, completely serious.

It worked wonders for me. My old man didn't give a S#!t that I had add.

He used to say that my so-called condition didn't lower the standards set for me, it just meant that I had to work harder to reach them.

 

May I ask which trade?

I have it too, DIAGNOSED A.D.D.

No drugs for me though my treatment was similar to the above post. So self control was all I have.... When noone's cracking the whip things get pretty messed up around here...
The cure for lost tools? As a plumber I have many tools that don't cost much individually but lose enough of em and the dough adds up!
Not paying attention to detail? One Journeyman MADE me explain to the inspector why I did what I did and then I had to hold the failed ticket around with me that week...

Basically either work harder to control himself OR get the wellbutrin.

 

I had this very same issue come up with one of my new employees also. It is actually called AADD (Adult Attention Deficit Disorder) for his age group.

Here's what I did...

First, I found some information on the web describing the symptoms of this disorder. Next, I sat him down in private and told him that I believed (based on the information and his observed activity) that he may be afflicted with this disorder, and that it was effecting his ability to perform his duties as an employee. I convinced him to see a Doctor to varify my concerns. He did, and was diagnosed positive for AADD. He was put on meds, and later became a stellar employee.....a happy ending.

 

I agree with talking to him & trying to get him to get treatment. My son is like a different person when he is on his meds.All his symptoms go away. The difference with him is like night & day. Another thing about people with add. Most of them are very smart & will learn fast once they get the add under control. You may have a great apprentice that just needs a little medical help to get him going.

 

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm
http://www.chadd.org/
http://www.ldanatl.org/
http://www.ncld.org/
For treatment:
http://www.strattera.com/index.jsp

It is nice you are trying to help and trying to learn about the condition. Most employers just fire people when the disorder interferes with tasks assigned to them.

 

[QUOTE=Birddog63]May I ask which trade?


Glazing = Glass and Aluminum fabrication and installation.

 

I went to school with a kid that had ADD........he became a Mathematician

 

Having been one of the lab rats..... First it was ADD, then it was ADHD, then it was autism. I more or less told them to (insert word here) Off. I strongly suspect that the motivation did not have my best interests in mind. I was on ritilan(sp?) and the like. It did make one heck of an apetite suspressant. I find it amusing the Ritilan(sp?) (aka "speed") is so dangerous to our bodies (read illegal drugs) yet doctors are prescribing it to kids. As if a doctors signature some how changes the chemical properties

ORB

 

I have a lifelong freind who was "diagnosed add" he'd then sell his ritilin to classmates on drugs...

 

I didn't check out any links, but I wanted to emphasize that ADD causes the sufferer frustration among a whole host of other feelings to unlearn. It's gonna take some patience on you part. Encouragement means a lot but won't fix everything. Hope things work out with no accidents or injurys.

 

I worked with a young guy once who was helping us change oil in Milktrucks,He had ADD so bad that he would become distracted while tightening up the drain plug on the trucks and not complete this simple 1 minute task,,,,,,,,,,We fired him cause he just couldnt do the job.perhaps a job planting flowers would have been better,,,,I dont wont anyone with ADD doing surgery on me either,,,,,,,LORDY

 

my 10 year old son has it,is taking medicine for it. like said here already,he is very smart. He is getting straight A's in all subjects at school and occassionally gets in trouble for "not paying attention in class" just because he gets his work done ahead of everybody else and then gets bored easily. Every time the teacher tells me he got in trouble again for not paying attention,I want to tell her if he was paying attention,he would be teaching the class by now!!! but i bite my tongue and reprimand my son,all the while thinking if this is the worse trouble he ever gets in,I will have it made!!

 

Problem with ADD is when a kid starts driving a car he "cant get bored " with staying on or below the speed limit. A real issue . I think that alot of the ADD children watch too much TV. The comercial interuptions break their thought pattern. This over years conditions the brain NOT to maintain focus,. keyword focus