TryingToHelp

@Always_Ask_Questions – We already have a seamless system to assess people over the Internet. However, since we’ve been getting more and more requests such as yours to make this more widely available, we are currently working on a new automated website that will allow anyone to simply select an assessment package, book a remote testing session, enter payment, and get an online link automatically sent to you without any manual intervention at all. We are also adding a simpler “screening” option for those who need to be tested but can’t afford a full professional assessment. Whoever thinks this this new website might benefit them or someone they know is welcome to send an email at [email protected] with their full name and number; we’ll send out notifications when the new website is released, which will most likely be within the next few weeks BE”H.

I just want to add that your suggestion about expanding this remote assessment service is more timely than you may realize. Like everyone else, it’s been incredibly painful for us to watch what’s been happening to our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisroel since this war began. So many people have been traumatized by this war (directly or indirectly), including the many children whose fathers have been away in the reserves for months at a time. Many families have been displaced for months, which is incredibly disruptive to those children as well. We have been contacted by several organizations in Eretz Yisroel that work with these suffering families (including Shuvu, which has a network of schools for children from fragile families and disadvantaged backgrounds that have been particularly impacted by the trauma of this war, as well as other organizations that work with traumatized adults). These organizations requested access to the remote assessment system in order to help determine how best to help those families put their lives back together. Unfortunately, while the assessment is already in several languages, it would need to be adapted to Hebrew and we would need to also bring in professionals to help guide those organizations on implementing the results in the most effective way possible. None of these organizations have the funding required to do that, so some kind Yidden are trying to raise the funds to help make this happen. While I am not involved in that fundraising project, if anyone here wants to assist them, I can put you directly in touch with those groups. I believe that the Israeli Shuvu office has also setup a special website for this specific project as well, since it’s so important.

Let’s hope that all Yiddishe suffering will soon come to an end and no one will ever need help recovering from war and trauma again BE”H!!

I’ll add just one more point to my post above. As someone else has already alluded to (and I’d like to further emphasize), a good task management system can often be very helpful to those dealing with the challenges you’ve described. Task management is a very personal activity, and each person must find the system that fits their own needs and manner of thinking best. Some people have an easier time with paper-and-pencil, non-digital tools like a good planner, but most in today’s generation find good digital task management programs best (and they’re much easier to keep updated!).

You need to select both a TOOL and a SYSTEM regarding how to utilize that tool efficiently. For example, good digital tools include Todoist, Teamwork.com, Monday or ClickUp. Good SYSTEMS to implement using such tools include MYN (Manage Your Now) by Michael Linenberger, the 4 quadrants by Frankln Covey, and GTD (Getting Things Done) by David Allen. Many people just jump into a new tool without any system and wonder why it doesn’t help. People with challenges of attention and executive functioning, as you clearly described, need a clear system of rules much more than most people.

Please don’t misunderstand; I still believe that the most important thing to do is to get tested with a valid assessment to identify exactly what is causing these challenges. In fact, it is very common for a person to need to be tested and then retested when medication is prescribed, in order to correctly identity both the problem, as well as the ideal medication dosage for that specific person. I simply want to add that I have seen a good task management tool paired with a good task management system (both of which selected to fit the specific needs of your individual thought processes) make a huge impact in enabling people who struggle with executive functioning issues to better manager their lives. You can try a few of these while getting properly diagnosed, since there are no side effects and no prescription is required. Only you can know which tool and which system fits your brain best.

For the right patient who has been correctly diagnosed with an attention disorder, the right medication at the right dose, in conjunction with some good task management tools and systems, with a healthy amount of sincere davening included (not necessarily in that order!) can truly be life-changing and empowering.

I want you to have hope that things can significantly change for the better BE”H. Hang in there!