If you are ADD or have Attention Deficit Disorder then you will understand when I talk about ADD talking. People with ADD often hold interesting conversations, sometimes over a lengthy expanse of time. Often someone with Attention Deficit Disorder will have a thought pop into his or her head when someone is telling a story. Beware that the thought triggered may not be directly related to the topic at hand.

People with ADD often have difficulty waiting their turn in a conversation and can quickly dominate the conversation if he or she is unaware that this is happening. One symptom of ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder is impulsivity. Impulsivity is the inability to stop and think before reacting to something. This is often the case when conversing with someone.

It is important for those who live with ADD to learn active listening. Active listening is the ability to focus and listen to someone who is talking without forming a response to what he or she is saying internally before the person finishes his or her thought. During active listening the person listening should acknowledge he or she is hearing what the other person is saying.

This process requires the listener to show he or she is listening by nodding in agreement at appropriate times. Another way to acknowledge your listening is to use reflection or clarifying techniques. By reflecting or clarifying, what the speaker is saying the speaker realizes you are following along. The hardest part for someone with ADD to do (at least without a lot of practice) is to listen without interrupting, changing, or dominating the conversation.

If you notice people rolling their eyes, taking in deep breaths, or crossing their arms while you are talking, take a moment to consider if inadvertently you may have interrupted them or took over the conversation with one of those impulsive thoughts. If this is the case, apologize and return the conversation to the person who had been talking.

With a little practice, you will be able to master this skill. It may help to enlist the help of coworkers or friends asking them to say stop if you fall into old habits or impulsively jump in before it is appropriate. Another item to consider is a fidget device such as koosh ball or stress ball, a spin or worry ring, or something else you can hold to help keep focused and not jump back into the conversation until it is appropriate. Remember to stay on topic, stay focused, and to practice active listening.