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The Lewes Pound update May 2010
The Lewes Pound CIC is currently having an audit conducted as part of a bid to secure funding, further develop its accounting systems, and to pay for a part time administrative member of staff to help run the scheme and develop it into a model that could be replicated around the country. The audit is being carried out by a reputable Lewes based firm of accountants and should be finished in the next couple of months.
One of the aims of the Lewes Pound is that it should benefit the community. When the audit is completed it is proposed that a proportion of the money from the first issue of Lewes Pounds will be put back into the community via a donation. This could go to support a number of projects or a single one. We'll be asking the community to put forward ideas and suggestions about what the donation should go towards when we know what the amount available is likely to be. Suggestions must be in line with the aims of the Lewes Pound which encourage a thriving local economy that is less reliant on fossil fuels. The decision will be made by an online vote, with the Mayor having the final say in the event of a draw.
Watch this space for updates!
Cartoon by Dave Shephard"This cartoon came about in light of the decision to grant the Lewes store permission to expand it’s premises by 50%, seriously risking the death of it’s high street. The announcement of Tesco’s astronomical profits last week, smacks of shoving the towns nose in the s@%t."
To see more of Dave's work visit http://www.daveshephard.com/
“Some … imagine the aim of economic localisation is complete self-sufficiency at the village level. In fact, localisation does not mean everything being produced locally, nor does it mean an end to trade. It simply means creating a better balance between local, regional, national and international markets. It also means that large corporations should have less control, and communities more over what is produced; and that trading should be fair and to the benefit of both parties. … Localisation is not about isolating communities from other cultures, but about creating a new, sustainable and equitable basis on which they can interact.”
Ed Mayo in Douthwaite (1996:ix)
NEW! The Lewes Pound 'How To' Guide - Setting up a local currency
The Lewes Pound CIC and the Transition Network are delighted to announce the launch of 'The Lewes Pound "How to" Guide'. This guide was commissioned to help communities interested in setting up local currency schemes. The guide aims to give an indication of how to set up a local currency scheme, based on how we went about developing and running the Lewes Pound.
Download it here if you're interested in setting up a local currency or want to find out how we went about doing it.
What is it?
Essentially the Lewes Pound is a voucher or token, redeemable for goods or services with local traders and anyone that wants to use it. It is complementary to sterling, and by using it, we can all help support local producers and traders and raise awareness of the importance of shopping locally.
Lewes Pounds can be bought or redeemed for sterling at any of the issuing points. Click here for a full list of traders and issuing points.
What else?
Unlike sterling, the Lewes Pound can also be used as a tool to help reconnect and rebuild the once vibrant web of local businesses and traders in the community, by bringing people together.
Here are just a few examples of how it's being used creatively to encourage trade:
- Cliffe traders are currently running a prize draw whereby each Lewes Pound in circulation is effectively a lottery ticket. Three lucky serial numbers are selected at random once a month and the first person to hand in one of the winning numbers wins a great przie. See our website and Harveys window for details.
- Some local traders are offering discounts and deals for payment of goods in Lewes Pounds. A complete list of current offers can be found on the Offers page of our website.
- Other traders and suppliers have truly embraced the Lewes Pound and are using it to good effect, for example, by paying their own suppliers in Lewes Pounds, who in turn spend them with other Lewes businesses, thus creating a virtuous circle that benefits the town.
2010-07-28
Lewes Pound | Home
YouTube - Sound of Music | Central Station Antwerp (Belgium
Go Theatr Harlech!! Go!!
2010-07-27
HIV only winner in useless drug war | Mindelle Jacobs | Columnists | Comment | Toronto Sun
Over the centuries, scientists who dared to challenge rulers of the day often found themselves in jail. Today, politicians who prefer ideology over truth just stick their fingers in their ears.
The key statement that emerged from last week’s International AIDS Conference was a declaration asking governments to base their drug policies on scientific evidence.
So far, about 14,000 people have signed the so called Vienna declaration, including Nobel Laureates, former heads of state, religious leaders and experts in science, medicine and law.
In Canada, five provincial medical officers of health and the Canadian Public Health Association have endorsed the statement. So have past presidents of Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, as well as the wife of the president of Georgia, the deputy chair of the Georgian parliament and that country’s minister of labour, health and social affairs. Georgia is one of the hardest hit countries in eastern Europe in terms of the spread of HIV.
In Mexico, about 23,000 people have been killed since Mexico launched its anti-drug campaign in 2006. The drug war is getting more violent in North America as well.
But both the U.S. and Canada have shied away from taking a stand on the declaration.
Maxine Davis, head of Vancouver’s Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, says she asked Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq at the AIDS conference if she agreed clean needles can prevent HIV.
“She repeatedly failed to confirm her support.”
If the Canadian health minister can’t summon up enough courage to acknowledge the importance of clean needles in the fight against HIV, what hope is there for intelligent debate? Reason, it seems, has been strangled by political intransigence.
The declaration calls for a review of the effectiveness of drug policies and a science based public health approach to the harms stemming from illicit drugs. It also urges the decriminalization of drug use.
The drug war has wasted billions of dollars, fuelled rising HIV rates and destabilized countries such as Colombia,
Mexico and Afghanistan, the statement points out.
Countless lives have been lost and drug lords are laughing all the way to the bank.
Meanwhile, your taxes are going up to pay for all that useless drug law enforcement. “This is something that conservatives should identify with — lack of government accountability (and) the wasting of tax dollars,” says Dr. Evan Wood, founder of the Vancouver- based International Centre for Science in Drug Policy.
“You’d think that (the federal government) would change policy if there was something that showed that public health can be improved and tax dollars can be saved.”
Each case of HIV costs Canadian taxpayers about $250,000, notes Wood, who chaired the committee that wrote the Vienna declaration.
“At the end of the day,” he says, “any effort to reduce the supply of drugs has the perverse effect of making it that much more profitable for someone else.”
Wood’s centre recently did a review of studies on the effect of drug enforcement on drug-related violence.
The vast majority of the studies concluded that increased enforcement leads to greater drug-related violence.
“We’re in a fight between science and ideology,” says Wood.
Perhaps it’s our politicians — not our drug addicts — who should be in jail.
Your Comments
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Really now "Rural Alberta"?
You obviously don't live in a city.
HIV can EASILY be helped to stop spreading by clean needles. Sex and needles are the 2 most common ways it's passed around.Global warming does exist... it has FOR BILLIONS OF YEARS!
Your ignorance shames me! Quit trying to make us Albertans look like oil and money hungry ignorant fools, like yourself.
YOUR hard earned money is being wasted on this war on drugs... which is a huge joke.
Quit believing what you have been told to think and start thinking for yourself.Katie URBAN Alberta, July 27th 2010, 1:49pm
Vaginal gel could slow spread of HIV - health - 21 July 2010 - New Scientist
This could be a turning point in the battle against HIV, particularly in Africa where 60 per cent of new infections are in women. New Scientist explores why
What is this gel, and how is it used?
It contains the anti-retroviral drug tenofovir. Women squirt the gel into their vagina using a special applicator 12 hours before sex, and 12 hours after.
How well did it work?
In the trial in South Africa, the 445 women receiving the active gel were 39 per cent less likely to become infected with HIV than the 444 using a placebo gel. Among women who used the gel exactly as instructed, the infection rate fell by 54 per cent, suggesting that rates could be halved if women use it properly.
Were there any other benefits?
Infection rates also halved for herpes simplex virus 2, which makes infection with HIV more likely.
Is it possible that women taking part in the trial were less safety-conscious than usual because they thought the gel would protect them?
Unlikely. The researchers say they explained fully to all participants that some would receive an ineffective treatment. Also, they provided participants with condoms and stressed the importance of carrying on with all existing methods of avoiding infection.
Who did the trial?
It was organised by the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), run by the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, with collaborators in the US and funding from the US Agency for International Development and the South African government. The lead researchers were Salim Abdool Karim of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and his wife, Quarraisha Abdool Karim of Columbia University in New York.
Why is the result so significant?
It has succeeded where six other gels have failed in a total of 11 trials since 2004. In one trial infection rates actually increased, leading to doubts whether gels would ever work.
With the potential to halve HIV infection rates, the new gel could massively dent the AIDS epidemic, especially in Africa where rates are highest. Quarraisha Karim told a press conference on 19 July that even at the lower rates of protection, if one-third of South African women used the gel it could prevent 1.3 million infections and 820,000 deaths over 20 years.
Why did this gel work where others failed?
Primarily because it contains the anti-retroviral drug tenofovir. Salim Karim says that all previous gels worked purely as barriers on the surface of the vagina, whereas the new gel penetrates and protect from within the cells that HIV normally infects.
Why is it especially important for women?
Because they have so little to protect themselves with otherwise, especially in situations where men may be unwilling to wear condoms. With access to the gel, women can make their own decisions about whether to protect themselves.
Could this help reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS?
Yes, especially coupled with the fact that in men circumcision reduces infection rates by 60 per cent, and mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be roughly halved by giving pregnant women the anti-retroviral drug nevirapine. The gel could help close down another significant avenue of infection in Africa.
How soon will the gel be available commercially?
The researchers say that another trial is needed to confirm the results, and to refine the formulation so it works even better. Because the initial results are so encouraging, UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) and the World Health Organization are holding a meeting next month to try and fast-track approval.
Who will make the gel?
Gilead, the California-based company which developed tenofovir, has granted the South African government permission to make the drug and to sell it in the gel without having to pay the company a royalty. The gel will still have to be licensed and approved for sale in individual countries, which could take two years or more.
What are people saying about the results?
"We are giving hope to women," says Michel Sidibé, executive director of UNAIDS. "For the first time we have seen results for a women-initiated and controlled HIV prevention option."
Patrick Kiser of the University of Utah, who is developing an anti-HIV gel that doubles as a contraceptive, says: "We are all very excited about the breakthrough and I congratulate the trial participants and investigators. The results usher in a new and exciting era of products that can be used by women to protect themselves from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in the developing and developed worlds."
Journal reference: Science, DOI: 10.1126/science.1193748
If you would like to reuse any content from New Scientist, either in print or online, please contact the syndication department first for permission. New Scientist does not own rights to photos, but there are a variety of licensing options available for use of articles and graphics we own the copyright to.
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Vivagel
Thu Jul 22 02:46:05 BST 2010 by Andos
There is a possibly more promising vaginal gel currently in development by an Australian company, Starpharma, called VivaGel.
This gel is based on dendrimers and has demonstrated effective inhibition of HIV and HSV-2 even 24 hours after application (see http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20090803/pdf/31jx7p9nrjcv4j.pdf ).
VivaGel is still undergoing clinical trials, but it promises to be a huge factor in the fight against the spread of HIV, and could cut the HIV infection rate even more than the gel mentioned in this article.
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2010-07-25
meet the coalition « Studio 31:8
We are a group of artists who are passionate about the rescue of women and children from sex trafficking. We have formed this coalition in order to stop the progression of trafficking through art. Our hope is that we can bring awareness and initiate a passion to heal by using art as a communication tool, as well as to raise funds for organizations that are making big changes in the world of trafficking. Here’s a little about us:
Sereen Gualtieri. Founder. Artist. Coalition President
Dan Gualtieri. Co-Founder. Coalition CFO.
Sara Horn. Co-Founder. Artist. Coalition Vice-President.
Eliza Montufar. Coalition Representative.
WikiAnswers - Where did the term 'G-string' come from
Answer
Seems this one is up for grabs (not literally!) Here are 3 theories and most bet on the last theory.
In 1878 many young boy's waist had a tight "Geestring" from which a single strip of cloth runs between the limbs from front to back.
- 1 GIRDLE STRING
Musically speaking, a G-string is the lowest, darkest string on a violin. The emphasis on the theory is on the word "low" - low note, low-cut underwear.
- 2 AN INSTRUMENT (FIDDLE)
- 3 FROM A NATIVE AMERICAN WORD
Many etymologists believe that it originated from the native word "geestringl." Apparently this was an item of clothing worn by some Plains Indians. The word was changed to the more English sounding "G-string."
The 3rd Theory makes sense. Some Native Indians wore "loin clothes" but most people don't realize there was also a "G-string" under that. Put it this way "take care of your jewels boys!" During the roaring 20's many fashions were copied from Indians, Spanish, and Egyptian. If you go back to the good old flapper days you will often see G-strings and oh yes ... the almighty "pasties."
What I find quite amuzing is the fact that everything in this modern age is so "cool" and "out there" and "new", yet most of it is just going back into time and therefore ... copycat style fashions arise.
First answer by
2010-07-24
Voice user interface - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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This article does not cite any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2009)A Voice User Interface (VUI) makes human interaction with computers possible through a voice/speech platform in order to initiate an automated service or process.
The VUI is the interface to any speech application. Controlling a machine by simply talking to it was science fiction only a short time ago. Until recently, this area was considered to be artificial intelligence. However, with advances in technology, VUIs have become more commonplace, and people are taking advantage of the value that these hands-free, eyes-free interfaces provide in many situations.
However, VUIs are not without their challenges. People have very little patience for a "machine that doesn't understand". Therefore, there is little room for error: VUIs need to respond to input reliably, or they will be rejected and often ridiculed by their users. Designing a good VUI requires interdisciplinary talents of computer science, linguistics and human-factors psychology - all of which are skills that are expensive and hard to come by. Even with advanced development tools, constructing an effective VUI requires an in-depth understanding of both the tasks to be performed, as well as the target audience that will use the final system. The closer the VUI matches the user's mental model of the task, the easier it will be to use with little or no training, resulting in both higher efficiency and higher user satisfaction.
The characteristics of the target audience are very important. For example, a VUI designed for the general public should emphasize ease of use and provide a lot of help and guidance for first-time callers. In contrast, a VUI designed for a small group of power users (including field service workers), should focus more on productivity and less on help and guidance. Such applications should streamline the call flows, minimize prompts, eliminate unnecessary iterations and allow elaborate "mixed initiative dialogs", which enable callers to enter several pieces of information in a single utterance and in any order or combination. In short, speech applications have to be carefully crafted for the specific business process that is being automated.
Not all business processes render themselves equally well for speech automation. In general, the more complex the inquiries and transactions are, the more challenging they will be to automate, and the more likely they will be to fail with the general public. In some scenarios, automation is simply not applicable, so live agent assistance is the only option. A legal advice hot line, for example, would be very difficult to automate. On the flip side, speech is perfect for handling quick and routine transactions, like changing the status of a work order, completing a time or expense entry, or transferring funds between accounts.
[edit] Future Uses
Pocket-size devices, such as PDAs or mobile phones, currently rely on small buttons for user input. These are either built into the device or are part of a touch-screen interface, such as that of the Apple iPod Touch and iPhone. Extensive button-pressing on devices with such small buttons can be tedious and inaccurate, so an easy-to-use, accurate, and reliable VUI would potentially be a major breakthrough in the ease of their use. Nonetheless, such a VUI would also benefit users of laptop- and desktop-sized computers, as well, as it would solve numerous problems currently associated with keyboard and mouse use, including repetitive-strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and slow typing speed on the part of inexperienced keyboard users. Moreover, keyboard use typically entails either sitting or standing stationary in front of the connected display; by contrast, a VUI would free the user to be far more mobile, as speech input eliminates the need to look at a keyboard.
Such developments could literally change the face of current machines and have far-reaching implications on how users interact with them. Hand-held devices would be designed with larger, easier-to-view screens, as no keyboard would be required. Touch-screen devices would no longer need to split the display between content and an on-screen keyboard, thus providing full-screen viewing of the content. Laptop computers could essentially be cut in half in terms of size, as the keyboard half would be eliminated and all internal components would be integrated behind the display, effectively resulting in a simple tablet computer. Desktop computers would consist of a CPU and screen, saving desktop space otherwise occupied by the keyboard and eliminating sliding keyboard rests built under the desk's surface. Television remote controls and keypads on dozens of other devices, from microwave ovens to photocopiers, could also be eliminated.
Numerous challenges would have to be overcome, however, for such developments to occur. First, the VUI would have to be sophisticated enough to distinguish between input, such as commands, and background conversation; otherwise, false input would be registered and the connected device would behave erratically. A standard prompt, such as the famous "Computer!" call by characters in science fiction TV shows and films such as Star Trek, could activate the VUI and prepare it to receive further input by the same speaker. Conceivably, the VUI could also include a human-like representation: a voice or even an on-screen character, for instance, that responds back (e.g., "Yes, Samantha?") and continues to communicate back and forth with the user in order to clarify the input received and ensure accuracy.
Second, the VUI would have to work in concert with highly sophisticated software in order to accurately process and find/retrieve information or carry out an action as per the particular user's preferences. For instance, if Samantha prefers information from a particular newspaper, and if she prefers that the information be summarized in point-form, she might say, "Computer, find me some information about the flooding in southern China last night"; in response, the VUI that is familiar with her preferences would "find" facts about "flooding" in "southern China" from that source, convert it into point-form, and deliver it to her on screen and/or in voice form, complete with a citation. Therefore, accurate speech-recognition software, along with some degree of artificial intelligence on the part of the machine associated with the VUI, would be required.
[edit] See also
- User interface
- User interface engineering
- Speech recognition
- List of speech recognition software
- Voice browser
[edit] External links
- Voice Interfaces: Assessing the Potential by Jakob Nielsen
Operating system General Kernel
Process management Memory management Examples Miscellaneous concepts
This computer science article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_user_interface"Hidden categories: Articles lacking sources from July 2009 | All articles lacking sources
This is what projectbrainsaver has as it's core
2010-07-23
Dahara Consulting - Home
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Limiting US jail time "no comfort" for Gary McKinnon | News | PC Pro
Limiting US jail time "no comfort" for Gary McKinnon
By Nicole Kobie
Posted on 22 Jul 2010 at 10:26
Gary McKinnon's mother has warned that it's too soon to celebrate after the Prime Minister raised the possibility of her son remaining in the UK.
McKinnon admits hacking into US Government computers, but his supporters say he should be tried in the UK, as the stress of a US trial and jail sentence would be too much for the Asperger's sufferer to bear - an issues raised by Prime Minister David Cameron in a meeting with US President Barack Obama.
The only thing we see as any kind of solution is for Gary to be tried here in the UK and not extradited
Following a meeting between the two leaders on Tuesday, Cameron said that if there is a prison sentence, McKinnon could possibly serve some of it in the UK.
"That is one potential outcome and I'll be working very hard to make sure that these things are discussed between the two governments," he told the BBC. "If we can reach a settlement then all to the good. I don't want to make a prediction because there are many difficult issues that have to be worked through."
While she was pleased the discussion took place, McKinnon's mother Janis Sharp told PC Pro that serving any time in the US would be detrimental to his health.
"The only thing we see as any kind of solution is for Gary to be tried here in the UK and not extradited. Some newspapers are wrongly reporting the possibility of serving any sentence, or part of, in the UK, but that’s usually what happens so would not give us any comfort after our almost nine year fight to keep Gary in the UK."
"The psychiatrist said that if Gary was extradited he would almost definitely take his own life and I’m sure our Government don’t want to effectively sign Gary’s death warrant," she added.
"We are extremely pleased that Gary’s case was raised by David Cameron with President Obama and we are confident that as Gary has a pathological terror of travel, that they will do the right thing and allow Gary to be tried in the UK, which would end Gary’s almost nine years of trauma and terror," she added.
Cameron and LibDem leader Nick Clegg both claimed they would fight to keep the North Londoner in the UK, but after the election Clegg suggested they may not have the power to do so.
US action
Obama said at a press conference that the US president, by "tradition", doesn't get involved with extraditions, he said the "cooperative relationship" between the two countries could come into play.
"And I trust that this will get resolved in a way that underscores the seriousness of the issue, but also underscores the fact that we work together and we can find an appropriate solution," Obama added.
It's as if someone in President Obama's staff is whispering "They are all liers! All of them. From all the stars to the politicians and the doctors to the ordinary folk - All liers" or "They've all been taken in by Gary McKinnon. He is an evil lier and a full blown terrorist."
And President Obama is seriously considering for one minute that they might be right...
2010-07-22
Demand Release of Journalists Who Exposed Human Rights Abuses in the Cocoa Industry
This past week, three journalists in the West African nation of Cote d'Ivoire were arrested and accused of stealing confidential documents after their newspaper, Le Nouveau Courrier, published the findings of a report into graft allegations against former officials from the Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC).
Managing Editor Stéphane Guédé, News Editor Théophile Kouamouo, and Editor-in-Chief Saint-Claver Oula remain in jail as of this posting.
Cote d'Ivoire is the largest producer and exporter of cocoa in the world. Dedicated journalists have worked tirelessly to expose corruption, child trafficking, labor abuses, price fixing and allegations of criminal behavior by multinational corporations for many years. Journalists play a critical role in promoting transparency and accountability in the cocoa industry and when freedom of the press is violated, it sends a chilling message to those who speak out about abuses in the cocoa sector.
Take a minute to stand up for freedom of the press in Cote d'Ivoire!
2010-07-21
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Around 1 in 4 people will be affected by mental health issues like anxiety, stress and depression at some point in their life. If you would like confidential advice about a mental health concern, you’re in the right place.
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The advice given is only suitable if you are aged 16 or over. If you are under the age of 16, call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Answer all of the questions carefully
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2010-07-20
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/20/barack-obama-david-cameron-press
David Cameron
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/20/barack-obama-david-cameron-press
The prime minister also said tonight he had discussed the case of computer hacker Gary McKinnon during talks with Obama. Cameron said he understood McKinnon was accused of a "very important and significant crime" but said he hoped "a way through" could be found.
Both Cameron and the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, have publicly condemned plans to extradite McKinnon to the US, where he faces up to 60 years in jail.
Last year, Cameron said that if McKinnon, 43, had questions to answer, there was "a clear argument to be made that he should answer them in a British court".
Tonight, Cameron said: "Clearly there is a discussion going on between the British and the Americans about this, but I don't want to prejudice those discussions.
"We completely understand that Gary McKinnon stands accused of a very important and significant crime in terms of hacking into vital databases, and nobody denies that is an important crime that has to be considered.
"I have had conversations with the US ambassador as well as raising it today with the president about this issue, and I hope a way through can be found."
Psych Central - Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) Test
Use this questionnaire to help determine if you need to see a mental health professional for diagnosis and treatment of ADD or ADHD in an adult. We also have a 6-question, short ADD quiz.
Instructions: The 24 items below refer to how you have behaved and felt DURING MOST OF YOUR ADULT LIFE. If you have usually been one way and recently have changed, your responses should reflect HOW YOU HAVE USUALLY BEEN. For each item, indicate the extent to which it is true by checking the appropriate box next to the item.
What Disorders Are Linked to ADHD? | Psych Central
An estimated 50 percent of people with attention deficit disorder (ADHD) also have other behavioral, emotional or academic problems that exist along side the disorder. Many times these other conditions or problems are not properly evaluated, and can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.
These other conditions also make living with ADHD more difficult, because many of them hinder one’s ability to concentrate or control impulses. For example, approximately one out of four children with ADHD also have a learning disability, while many others have significant difficulty in school, including behavioral problems that disrupt their ability to learn in the classroom.
If treatment focuses only on the ADHD symptoms, it may leave these other problems untouched. Good treatments will ensure that strategies are put in place to help someone with ADHD with these additional problems.
People with ADHD also are more likely to have speech and language disorders and health problems such as upper respiratory infections and allergies. Many are at increased risk for accidental injury.
Still others with attention deficit disorder show forms of antisocial behavior and may actually have what is called oppositional defiant disorder. These individuals can be obstinate, aggressive, verbally hostile and disobedient. A significant number of children with ADHD also may develop conduct disorder. They may lie, steal, skip school or become physically aggressive. A careful initial evaluation can help tease out what is ADHD and what may be one of these other personality or childhood disorders, and develop appropriate treatments for each.
In contrast, others with attention deficit disorder experience extreme anxiety. They often worry unnecessarily or feel undue stress. These individuals also are predisposed to depression and low self-esteem, which can have serious effects on the quality of their day-to-day lives and dealings with others. Teens with ADHD may be prone to alcohol and drug use and abuse.
A small number of people with ADHD also have Tourette syndrome, an uncommon disorder characterized by facial tics and other uncontrollable movements.
Careful evaluation is required to determine the best treatment for individuals with ADHD who have co-existing conditions, and to rule out diagnoses that mimic ADHD. Sleep disorders, for example, sometimes cause fatigue, irritability, anxiety, depression, aggressiveness and memory problems. A trained mental health professional is usually best consulted to help conduct such an evaluation, one experienced in diagnosing and treatment attention deficit disorder. ADHD is readily treated by a combination of different forms of psychotherapy and medications.
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 26 Oct 2008
ADHD & Productivity: 12 Strategies for Getting Things Done | Psych Central
For someone with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), completing a task can be fraught with challenges. Distractions such as e-mail, Internet, TV and other tasks abound. People with ADHD often face a special challenge in remaining productive, especially in distraction-driven environments (such as the office or even a classroom).
To get a handle on distractions and boost your productivity, here are 12 useful strategies for accomplishing what you need.
- Employ the two-minute rule. Procrastination is a big barrier to productivity for individuals with ADHD, and leads to all-nighters and missed deadlines, according to Sandy Maynard, M.S., who operates Catalytic Coaching and specializes in ADHD coaching. “Entering a phone number into a database right away can save lots of time later looking for it or figuring out what a single number on a scrap of paper with no name goes to,” Maynard said.
- Pick a planner that works for you. Structure is essential for someone with ADHD. Without it, “it can be hard to achieve top productivity,” said Laura Rolands, M.S., an attention and ADHD coach who operates LSR Coaching and Consulting. However, “planning and maintaining a calendar, which are examples of structure, can feel constricting and uninteresting,” she said. That’s why it’s so important to pick a planner that fits your personal needs, and one that you’ll actually use. Rolands wrote a valuable how-to on picking the best planner for you.
- Make time to plan. Carving out some time each day to plan provides maximum focus and productivity, according to Rolands. She recommended setting aside 10 to 15 minutes per day for planning.
- Time your tasks. Using a timer or alarm helps in several ways, according to Rolands. “First, if someone is procrastinating on a task, setting a timer and just working on that task for a set amount of time can help them make progress and ensure that it will not be too painful to work on that particular task.” Once the timer dings, you can move on to your next task. “Second, if working on an enjoyable task, it can be helpful to set a timer so that the whole day is not spent on that one activity,” she said. You can use a timer for any task, whether that’s working on a project for your job, running errands or doing household chores.
- Start small. To avoid getting overwhelmed with new ideas and tasks, take smalls steps, Rolands said. Let’s say you’re trying to incorporate planning into your routine. Each day, spend 10 minutes on planning for three weeks. After you cement this habit, add more time to your planning routine or work on a new activity.
- Organize smarter. Consider what you need to organize to make the biggest difference on your efficiency, Maynard said. “Organizing the most important part of the office first can jump-start you working smarter not harder.” She gave these examples: “Is it my files on my computer? Is it my reference material on the bookshelf? Is it my planner? Is it my purse, my briefcase, my ‘to do’ notebook?”
- Be super-selective when de-cluttering. According to Maynard, “Clutter and disorganization can be a hindrance to productivity if you are losing or wasting time looking for things.” Instead of asking, “’What can I use this for?’ — which is dangerous as an ADDer can think of a million uses for almost anything — ask, ‘How can I do without this?’ Can the information be retrieved elsewhere?’”
- Avoid multi-tasking. If something is very familiar to you, doing two tasks at once isn’t a big deal. If a task is unfamiliar and complex, though, give it your full attention, Maynard said. For instance, drinking coffee while learning how to drive is dangerous, but after you become a skilled driver, you can do this safely, she said.
- Understand the scope of a project. Perfectionism is another productivity-zapper for people with ADHD. Knowing a project’s requirements helps you gauge how much effort to put into it. Maynard recommends doing “only what is asked for on small or un-important projects. Save ‘going all out’ for important projects that will get you a raise, a promotion, or get you noticed in the big scheme of things.”
- Under-promise and over-deliver. It’s common for individuals with ADHD to underestimate how long it’ll take to finish a project, Maynard said. Usually, it takes twice as long as you originally planned.
- Regulate interruptions. You can spend all day on e-mail, phone calls and the Internet. Plus, “an interruption or reminder that there is something else you need to complete will take you away from the task at hand,” Rolands said. To stop these distractions from shredding your productivity, check e-mail and return calls several times a day, Maynard said. With the Internet, “define exactly what you need before you start surfing so if you find other interesting information, you can remind yourself that that is not what you are looking for,” she said. Don’t hesitate to shoo people away from your cubicle, close the door to your office or find a quiet place to read, Maynard said.
- Enlist a productivity partner. Support helps tremendously with productivity, and it can come in various forms. For example, if Rolands’s clients commit to plan their day for 15 minutes, they e-mail her once they’re finished to tell her they’ve completed their planning. “This helps them to stay on track and not forget about planning in the time between coaching sessions,” she said. Friends or colleagues also can be productivity partners and keep you accountable. Rolands said that individuals with ADHD can help each other, too.
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 1 Jul 2010