Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a well-known behavioral and cognitive disability that is found in children and teens. In some cases, this condition is present in adulthood.
Those who suffer from this disorder can find it hard to control their behavior and other aspects of their lives. Becoming easily distracted, unable to finish tasks, and not listening are just a few of the symptoms. Others include being unable to follow instructions, forgetting to complete daily tasks, and having difficulties organizing things.
The good news is there are some productivity tools for ADHD that can be a great help. Technologies have been created that help those with ADHD to become more organized or simply offer solutions to a few difficulties.
The top five technologies that are of great use to adults with ADHD are:
1. Key Finders
If you are constantly losing your keys, a key finder could help you. These devices can help to save a lot of time, especially when you're in a hurry.
Key clappers can be useful because they react to someone clapping. When you clap your hands together, your keys will beep and continue to do so until they are found.
Another similar tool works by sounding an alarm when a button is pressed. This is a useful tool that could be better for those who always have their hands full when they leave the house.
It is important, however, that you don't become too reliant on your key finders. Placing your keys in a specific area every time you come home is a good habit to get into. Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done.
2. Smartphones
These days, you can do just about anything on a smartphone. You can take notes, set reminders, leave yourself voice messages, and be very productive. With the ability to help you stay in control of your life, smartphones can be something of a blessing.
The beauty of the smartphones that are on the market today is there are some relatively cheap ones. You don't always have to spend a lot of money to get a smartphone that comes with all the bells and whistles.
You should be careful, however, when you use a smartphone. They can be exceedingly distracting. There are so many games available these days, videos to watch, and books to download. It would be a shame if a smartphone that was supposed to help you actually became your downfall.
Try to use your smartphone wisely. Avoid downloading games, e-readers, and videos if you can. Use it productively, so you stay more organized.
You may even want to consider having two cell phones. One phone could be used while you're working and the other during your leisure time. However, this will mean you'll need to look after an additional phone which could be difficult for some.
3. XMind
XMind is a type of software that can help people to be much more productive. Those with ADHD that work in offices can potentially use this software to help them get more done.
XMind allows its users to make use of mind mapping, brainstorming, and its presentation mode. Designed so that those with ADHD can present and store their ideas, the user interface is very pleasant to use. Anyone using this software could find that it helps them to be more productive. However, it can take a little getting used to.
4. Learning Ally
Learning Ally is yet another tool that has been created to help those with ADHD. This specific tool has been made to help people read. Many of those with ADHD can find reading difficult, especially as it requires a lot of concentration.
Some of Learning Ally's features include the ability to bookmark pages, highlight words, increase the text size, and even customize the audio speed. While this particular tool has been created with students in mind, it can help those who simply want to read more often.
You will need to have an e-reader that is compatible with this application. The good news is there are many different types of e-readers out there that are compatible. You can, therefore, read as much or as little as you wish, knowing there's a helping hand available should you need it.
5. Isolator
Here's a tool that quite a lot of people may benefit from. Isolator works by creating a menu bar that can cover up some or all of the icons on your desktop. We all know how distracting some of the icons can be. This is why this tool is perhaps one of the better ones out there.
Anyone who spends time working at a computer will no doubt be familiar with the urge to check emails, play games, see when your favorite show is on, etc.
Isolator will cover up those distracting icons while you work. This ensures you're much more likely to get your work done and on time. Once you've finished working, you can simply switch the Isolator off. It's that simple. Now we just need to find a similar tool to use on cell phones.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of sciencetimes.com
