Original article

Living with ADHD

UC Berkeley freshman Blake Taylor has written an insightful book about his struggles with the disorder

By Amanda Thompson - St. Francis High School

Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, October 19, 2007
Story appeared in SCENE section, Page J8

ADHD: Either you have it or probably know someone who has it. ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects more than 4 million young people. Blake Taylor, a freshman at the University of California, Berkeley, wrote about his own experience in his book “ADHD & Me: What I Learned From Lighting Fires at the Dinner Table” (New Harbinger, $14.95, 192 pages). Due out in February, the book is an honest and insightful look at what it’s like to live with ADHD.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who thinks that he or she may have ADHD?

A: They should view it as a gift. There are so many wonderful qualities that come along with ADHD: intelligence, high energy, the ability to accomplish a lot, creativity, passion for a cause, innovativeness, trustworthiness, etc. But the trick is: You have to learn how to live with it and harness it.

Realize it is part of the normal spectrum of being. It is a difference. It is like being blue-eyed or left-handed. Realize that you have lots of company – there are 4 million young people with ADHD in the country.

Get the assistance you need. Go to a doctor and get diagnosed. Don’t try to do it by yourself. If you were nearsighted, you would go to get glasses, wouldn’t you?

Q: You give many tips in your book about what to do when faced with ADHD-related challenges. Do you practice what you preach?

A: Absolutely! But I still have to work hard at it every day. Some things take a long time to learn before they become routine. For example, it has always been difficult for me to be organized, although every day I become more so. In studying for exams, doing term papers, and keeping my room neat, I was often disorganized. After four years in a difficult, private high school, I finally learned how to plan out my work; I start studying for final exams one month ahead of time; I do my term papers in phases, and never procrastinate. It takes practice and perseverance.

Q: What motivated you to write this book? Did anyone help you with the development of it?

A: I came up with the idea when I was applying to private high schools and had to write an essay about a challenge that I had faced. In the essay, I talked about how I had learned to not only live with ADHD but also how to do well with it. I finished the essay by mentioning that I might want to write a book someday.

As I wrote in the book’s acknowledgment, my mother helped me edit and shape the book, and she also handled the business aspects, such as doing competitive analysis and research.

Q: Did you receive any criticism for being such a young writer?

A: Some people have been critical. At first, many of my classmates thought I had self-published the book and asked, “So how much did I pay to have it published?” Others thought that my parents “must know someone in publishing” and that is how we were able to get it in front of editors – which we didn’t. We didn’t even have an agent.

The truth is it was just hard work – along with a bit of luck. My mother and I went into bookstores and looked at all the ADHD books and their publishers. I called New York publishing houses early in the morning and wrote e-mails to editors – but got turned down. One very important thing I learned, though, was to take advice from my teacher. My writing became a lot better because I followed his suggestions.

Q: What advice would you give to young authors?

A: It is a long, hard road, and there are no short cuts. First, you have to write well and then get some trusted people who can offer advice and help you edit your work.

There is always a lot of editing and rewriting; my book went through many full edits. Then you have to do a lot of research about which publisher to approach regarding your book. You have to understand that your book needs to fit the publishing company’s plan or portfolio – and that’s where luck plays a part. You may have a great book, but if it doesn’t fit that company’s goals for the next year, it doesn’t matter if it is good. You’ll just have to try another publisher. But don’t be daunted – it’s possible for a young writer to publish a book.