Merganize

Supporting adults that identify with AD/HD and exploring the world of Autism.

[merganize]

Alexander McElree's invitation is awaiting your response

Alexander McElree would like to connect on LinkedIn. How would you like to respond? Accept: https://www.linkedin.com/e/v2?e=-shssze-ifpku17o-6m&a=preRegInvite&ek=second_guest_reminder_01&li=7&m=hero&ts=accept_text&sharedKey=RulVHlWe&invitationID=6054683244077547520 View Alexander McElree&in.com/comm/profile/view?id=AAsAAANRdIoBluEQ1KFSIh5IjgRKAO1wog4cW0c&trk=eml-second_guest_reminder_01-hero-8-profile_text&trkEmail=eml-second_guest_reminder_01-hero-8-profile_text-null-%7Eshssze%7Eifpku17o%7E6m You received an invitation to connect. LinkedIn will use your email address to make suggestions to our members in features like People You May Know. Unsubscribe here: https://www.linkedin.com/e/v2?e=-shssze-ifpku17o-6m&t=lun&midToken=AQFmrFVhGEd36Q&ek=second_guest_reminder_01&li=12&m=unsub&ts=HTML&eid=-shssze-ifpku17o-6m&loid=AQHGrXL12adXtgAAAVBiy354FxOOAaRMV75tu53R-iKp9Yyin1cS0stC2R9QA-ONihSk0G2QuGHJzvCy-WZEmg This email was sent to [email protected]. If you need assistance or have questions, please contact LinkedIn Customer Service: https://www.linkedin.com/e/v2?e=-shssze-ifpku17o-6m&a=customerServiceUrl&ek=second_guest_reminder_01 © 2015 LinkedIn Corporation, 2029 Stierlin Court, Mountain View CA 94043. LinkedIn and the LinkedIn logo are registered trademarks of LinkedIn.

[merganize]

Alexander McElree's invitation is awaiting your response

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[merganize]

I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn

Hi, I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. - Alexander Confirm that you know Alexander: https://www.linkedin.com/comm/start/accept-invitation?sharedKey=RulVHlWe&invitationId=6054683244077547520&trk=eml-guest-invite-cta&trkEmail=eml-invite_guest-null-2-null-null-%7Eshssze%7Eif5nsgn7%7E56 You received an invitation to connect. LinkedIn will use your email address to make suggestions to our members in features like People You May Know. Unsubscribe here: https://www.linkedin.com/e/v2?e=-shssze-if5nsgn7-56&t=lun&midToken=AQFmrFVhGEd36Q&ek=invite_guest&loid=AQGP5xqm41gCzgAAAVAaOcrECnWjq8-R8YaqsvGTKp7Oid5yyku-nqkfX3cyIoU9V3ZxaCyZG15v-dD4gjlPMQ&eid=-shssze-if5nsgn7-56 Learn why we included this at the following link: https://www.linkedin.com/e/v2?e=-shssze-if5nsgn7-56&a=customerServiceUrl&ek=invite_guest&articleId=4788 © 2015, LinkedIn Corporation. 2029 Stierlin Ct. Mountain View, CA 94043, USA

[merganize]

Peers & Partners: Living with AD/HD

Living with someone that is labeled AD/HD can be amazing and tricky, both. We often need to rewire the way in which we interact with our flatmates and loved ones. Join us in a constructive skill share as we talk about how to make the most of the gifts that are abounding through our living space!

  Address such questions as:  * Why are they always talking to themselves?  * Why is the TV remote in the fridge?   * How can I ensure they do chores in sync with the household?  * Why do they get dressed in the hallway  * How do I minimize the "trails" of "stuff" through the house?   * How do I find a balance between chaos and order?

Come find out tomorrow! 

here 

[merganize]

Peers & Partners: Living with AD/HD

When: December 16, at 6pm

Where:Farley's East: 33 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 

Price: $5

Living with someone that is labeled AD/HD can be amazing and tricky, both. We often need to rewire the way in which we interact with our flatmates and loved ones. Join us in a constructive skill share as we talk about how to make the most of the gifts that are abounding through our living space!

  Address such questions as:  * Why are they always talking to themselves?  * Why is the TV remote in the fridge?   * How can I ensure they do chores in sync with the household?  * Why do they get dressed in the hallway  * How do I minimize the "trails" of "stuff" through the house?   * How do I find a balance between chaos and order?

[merganize]

So I have only just started looking up information on Autism on tumblr, interested to see what others on here have to say, specifically about ABA therapy. Seems like people have had some horrible experiences. ABA doesn't seek to change a child with autism's personality, it just changes the behaviors, not the same thing. My kiddo is still the amazing, mysterious and loving child that he was when we start, now he can just tell me more about his world.

[gingerautie]

Other things that terrify me : “therapists” who don’t bother distinguishing between a tantrum and a meltdown. They just don’t seem to care that punishing a child for something they can’t control is really fucked up. Tantrums are under a child’s control, meltdowns are not. If this doesn’t affect how you deal with them then you shouldn’t be around children.

[merganize]

As far as I'm concerned, you don't punish a child with autism for having a tantrum. In fact I was trained specifically not to. If they have a tantrum or a meltdown, we are supposed to wait them out, then proceed with whatever we were doing without any mention of the event. Thus ignoring the tantrum, not validating attention seeking behavior and not making them feel bad for having the incident in the first place. 

[flyingpurplepizzaeater]

Therapist: “Where does grandma work?” Little boy: “Um… she works at the house.” “No. Where does grandma work? Say ‘library’.” “Library.” “Whee! Now you get a starburst.”

This is not how you teach three year olds to communicate in language. Communicating is not about saying what you think other...

[merganize]

As far as I know, during training to be an ABA, I was told very decidedly to never say no to my clients. Also to explain why you are changing what they say, not simply No say this but more of a she works here.

[x-io-mar-deactivated20141118]

[merganize]

In addition to speaking about ADHD and Autism I would like to take some time to discuss bullying. I am going to still to info about bullying those who have special needs and try not to wander too far. Please forgive me though if some other types of bullying crop up here and there. 

So here is a pyramid i found about the levels of hatred. What acts have you seen or experienced regarding your differences? 

For myself I have mostly only experiences the bottom three. I listened to tons of jokes growing up (as ADHD at the time was the "popular" disorder). Additionally I got a lot of discrimination from my parents in regards to my abilities, as someone with ADHD (aka a special need) I was treated as a less able kid and my father usually thought of my ADHD first, me second. Thirdly, I had huge troubles through school due to fogeting to get things signed, getting in trouble for fidgeting, etc. I also experienced a lot of social exclusion in middle school for acting and doing things a little oddly. 

so how about you? 

Any ideas of how we can work together to fight against bullies?

[merganize]

messages

Yay! I finally was able to get around to answering all my messages. To everyone who has been waiting, I am so sorry, the last few months have been a nightmare, with a new job. Hope that I have been able to give everyone a little help!

[merganize]

Death?? Holy fuck I start taking it tomorrow i'm fucking anxious right now

death? about what?

[merganize]

How do I very cautiously have a conversation with my roommates about the things that have been bothering me about living with them, when most of them have to do with their ADD? I'm coming from the angle of wanting to know what I can do for them so this can be harmonious living, but one of them believes that anyone who thinks she should change in any way should get bent, and the other has severe ADD to the point where she's ruined appliances from forgetting they were on.

One way is to discuss how their behavior is affecting you personally. If you explain to them that its not that you want them to change per say, but that you are having a truly difficult time living with them, this might soften the blow. Many people with ADHD are either blissfully unaware that they are causing their roommates strife (adhd people are very self focused) or are insecure about their adhd that any discussion of it feels like a strike that their very personalty. I would speak to them both individually and then try to create ways to work with the ADHD not against it. Repetitive daily activities (ie turning appliances off, picking up clothes etc) are very hard for ADHD individuals and it can sometimes help to have a friends help or have a sticker on the appliance to remind them. 

hope this helps 

[merganize]

do you find that you have a... less than truly helpful brain-to-mouth filter? i ask because i'm really bad about interrupting people, and injecting tangential/not quite relevant comments into conversations and it just seems like that might be a specifically adhd thing. :/

I find that this is a constant problem. I very often find myself interrupting people mid sentence. This has only gotten worse as I have started working on a hotline where it is my job to stop people mid sentence to gather info from them. One the one hand, due to my poor impulse control I rock the hotline and keep people from tying it up for hours. On the other, I have found that my own person phone calls have deteriorated because i keep kicking people off the phone! 

Blurting out what is on your mind or changin topic mid stream is very common in ADHD due to both a lack of impulse control and a faster brain (hyperactive!). One way that i manage this is I either bite my lips closed or if i'm really having trouble and I'm with understanding friends, i might cover my mouth or tell my friend that i'm having trouble keeping my attention. Being open with friends and family about ADHD and the reason why you intrupt them i.e failed executive function not rudeness, goes a long way in smoothing over relationships. 

If you would like some info about executive function, adhd, and verbal impulse control please take a look here. 

I hope that this has helped!

[merganize]

Introducing.....Autism!

Ok, so I am aware that Autism is totally different from ADHD, but as I am also an active ABA therapist and I have taken control of this tumblr, I wanted to make the change. I am a person with ADHD who also happens to work with other special needs people, thus my need to spread out my subject. I will be posting info about Adult ADHD and Autism simultaneously so things might get a bit harebrained at times, but isn't that just perfect for a blog about ADHD and Autism?

[ameliasdestiny-deactivated20160]

Thought this may be useful for a few people on here!

This is a new app called ‘Self-help Anxiety Management' by The University Of West England

SAM has been developed by a university team of Psychologists, computer scientists and student users. It engages established methods of self-help and high standards of usability to provide a engaging, flexible & practical resource.

This app is currently only available for devices using Android.

[merganize]

I know this isn't for adhd, but as anxiety is often times a tag a long, take a look at this little beauty! Don't you love technology?

[merganize]

Hello everyone! Merganize is now under new management! My name is Jessica, I have been the main writer and blogger for Merganize and have now taken over sole ownership. In the new few weeks I will be making some new changes, including adding information about Autism, as I am an active ABA therapist and would like to share my experiences work with Autism as well as being an adult with ADHD. Keep your eyes open for more information about myself and the direction that my company will be taking. 

[merganize]

Hiatus

I apologize for the long hiatus, Merganize is currently undergoing new management. We will be adding in a new component addressing autism though we will still be focusing on our ADHD adults, no worries. Please check back for new updates as we sort things out and create new dreams.