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Adhd/add

So aside from the one person that can take a conversation 40 different directions How many of you all have ADHD? I heard a while back that having ADHD/ADD is essentially a super power when it comes to programming of any kind and also ADHD people typically gravitate towards programming jobs.

I got diagnosed while I was in the military. When I separated I started a job at a calibration company. They had a CMM and I wanted more than anything to play with it. So I asked my boss what it would take to get me over there and he handed me a list of the GD&T symbols. He said "learn this and we will consider it."

I came back the next day after a 12 hour hyperfocus on learning GD&T and was programming by the end of the week. Fast forward a year later and my boss had said he had never seen anyone pick it up so quickly in his 40 years. Now this was still a more basic level of programming. Nothing like what you all are capable of. But I have since developed myself into a pretty confident (not arrogant like some of ya's) programmer.

Not trying to toot my own horn or anything just simply stating that ADHD is the sole reason I am a programmer and the constant hurdles and obstacles presented has kept me highly intrigued and motivated unlike most things I get myself involved in.

I am curious if any of you guys are in the same boat I am and maybe we could give tips and advice on how to tackle the more daunting stuff like the dreaded........ reprogramming a part already programed or waiting for the CMM to run through a 30 minute program.
Parents
  • Never been diagnosed but probably am. Mentioned something about it to my wife, who was a teacher and trained to spot it, and she agreed. (Small school in a poor district: She wore many hats.) If you can get me focused on something, I can get good at it pretty quickly. Big word of course, being if.

    I'm also an extremely fast reader. I'll have read something (and understand it) 3 or 4 times in the time most people read it once.


    I'm jealous. I have never been able to read any faster than I can talk. Even so, I often have to go back and re-read stuff as I find my mind wandered half way through a paragraph.

    That big word "IF". Yup, that is a tricky word when it comes to focus. I'm the same way in that regard.
  • The fast reading thing is sometimes annoying.   Constantly trying to find another book.  Thank goodness for Kindle Unlimited.   Worse still is being in a group having to read something and having to wait for everyone to catch up.  It's like "I've read this 50 dozen times already and you're still on  page 1.)
Reply
  • The fast reading thing is sometimes annoying.   Constantly trying to find another book.  Thank goodness for Kindle Unlimited.   Worse still is being in a group having to read something and having to wait for everyone to catch up.  It's like "I've read this 50 dozen times already and you're still on  page 1.)
Children
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