The neuropsychologist is working with me on developing my divided attention, sustained attention, alternating attention in different ways. After three months of intensive therapy (12-16 hours per week with a team of therapists working together) and a year after the injury I have noticed marked improvement, but I still don’t function well outside of the house and the controlled environment of the clinic.

I have have problems switching between tasks. For example, I will walk away from the stove if the phone rings, and I will forget to return to it.

I have problems doing more than one thing at a time. For example, I have a hard time taking notes while someone is speaking.

While riding in a car, if I see that the traffic light is green, I don’t register at the same time that there is still someone in the crosswalk.

So, where I appreciate what you are saying about controlling the environment (and I have found that to be a big help) I am to a point where I need to be functioning in the real world where I can’t control the distractions. I want to be able to drive a car and to hold a job where there are other people working. More than any other factor, the deficits in attention are preventing that.

I guess my concern is that the medication would delay actual improvements in brain function by substituting chemical manipulation for re-training the brain. But mainly, I don’t know anything about it and I appreciate the discussion on this and other factors involved in use of ADHD medication.

Gil