I know a lot of you are newly diagnosed. I feel your pain. To help you navigate the wacky world of ADHD, I’ve compiled a list of some of the most commonly-used ADHD-related terms, phrases, acronyms and jargon. Wish I’d had a guide like this when I started out!

Please feel free to send in your own! After all, here at ADHD from A to Zoë, we’re nothing if not educational! Here we go:

AN ADHD PRIMER
by Zoë Kessler (with contributions from Kelly Babcock)

ADD: Alternative Destination Decision – when you change your mind half way there

ADHD: Always Distractedly Having Discussions / Actively Disassociated Hedonistic Deviant / Arduously Ducking Hopping & Dancing

Co-morbid: When two ADD ers get together and gripe about how lousy it is to have ADHD

ADD Coach:

Coach: “Drop and give me five”
ADHDer: [giving coach a high five] Way to go, Coach!
Coach: “No, drop and give me five”
ADHDer: I haven’t got a clue what you’re asking me, can I go now?

Disability: Dis ability, dat ability, it all boils down to what you make of it…

Dopamine: Disregulation of this important neurotransmitter turns you into a dope, one of the manifestations of ADHD

Disorder: Dis order, dat order, I’m really not that good at taking orders, can I go now?

Spectrum of ADHD Symptoms: The make-up of a colorful character

Special Accommodations: When they make a school-age ADHDer sit alone in a corner or stand out in the hall

Neurobiological: I have no idea what this means. Neither does anyone else

Pathology: Retracing my steps to find what was I looking for

Frontal Lobe: “Normal” types are said to think inside a box. The brain, including the frontal lobe, is held within that box. ADHDers, by contrast, think outside the box. Unfortunately, we forget to take our frontal lobes with us when we leave the box

Disorganization: Dis organization is supposed to help you, but it won’t

Stimulants (aka “psychostimulants”; aka “uppers”): Non-ADHDers use these to cram for exams; we use ‘em just to get to class

Scattered: Information on ADHD; scattered information is an essential component in an ADHDer’s favorite game, called “Find the Expert.” Similar to a treasure hunt, you have to search all over North America to find the hidden ADHD experts

Behavior Modification (BM) (…but not as satisfying): One of many tools used to create conformity; akin to dog training, where rewards are used when the desired cookie-cutter behavior is achieved.  (Can you say “woof”?)

Satiation Principle: A component of Behavior Modification (see above).  When you allow someone to continue (or insist that they continue) performing the undesired act until they tire of it. Sounds like my Friday nights at the club.

WARNING: This does NOT work for adult ADHDers, because we just forget about the consequences.

Extinction Principle: Another component of BM. Offering no rewards for the undesired act. Used to make ADHD behaviors extinct. Desirable or not, depending on whether you fall on the “ADHD behaviors are special adaptations and a necessary part of our society” or the “Let’s get rid of those maladaptive !*(!@&! ADHDers before they ruin everything!” side of the argument

Distracted: Hey, did you see my new photos on Facebook? Check ‘em out…

Hyperfocus: An intense state that keeps your mind off anything important

…these should get you started. You’re invited to send in any of your own definitions. We’re all in this together!

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From Psych Central's website:
2010 ADHD: from A to Zoë Blog Post Roundup | ADHD from A to Zoë (December 31, 2010)

    Last reviewed: 23 Jul 2010