Editor's Letter, October 2023
An introduction - and a special offer
Thank you for being a subscriber to ADHD+. Normally, these letters (which happen every 13th) will be for paid subscribers only, but I wanted to spend the very first letter introducing myself and saying more about my mission with ADHD+.
About Me
My name is Zach Edson. For nine years I’ve been a science teacher at a school that specializes in teaching students with learning differences. I would estimate that 90% of the students I teach have ADHD.
I also have ADHD, the inattentive type. One of my goals in starting this publication is to understand myself better: what strategies can help me get everything done I want to in this life. I also want to help others.
Topics
I also want to dispel the notion that those with ADHD are stupid, distracted, and have the memory-spans of goldfish. I want to emphasize some of our many strengths.
As I also have expertise in teaching students with dyslexia (100% of my students have dyslexia), Executive Functioning differences, and more, those will also be subjects of interest in this blog (hence the “plus”).
Things we’ve already covered:
Reading the room
Working memory
What is attention
Supporting ADHDers’ Attention
Upcoming topics (subject to change):
Hyperfocus
ADHD strengths
ADHD and reading
Medication
Which of these are you most looking forward to? Please let me know in the comments.
About the Structure of Doses
I want these posts to be as actionable as possible. That’s why they’re so short and there’s two per week. As often as I can, I will include a key takeaway near the top.
These articles are written with teachers, ADHDers, and guardians/loved ones of ADHDers in mind. Not every Dose will be equally useful to each group, but I will strive for a balance as often as I can.
Research and Experience Driven Information
Another motivation I’ve had in making this blog is the proliferation of ADHD information on the internet, particularly on apps like TikTok on Instagram. While lots of this information is useful and validating for ADHDers, not all of it is correct and some is even harmful.
This work will be based primarily on citable, peer-review information. Some will also be anecdotally related to my own experience. I will distinguish one from the other clearly in each instance.
Well, thanks for reading. I’ve you’ve gotten this far, you must want to subscribe, right?
Thanks for being here.
Yours,
Zach Edson